BLUE TOURISM AND INNOVATION

The most important congress on Blue Tourism and
Blue Economy

Sun&Blue is the most important annual congress in Southern Europe focused on Tourism and the Blue Economy, bringing together over 1,000 professionals from the public, private, scientific, and academic sectors. Since its first edition, it has established itself as a leading platform to comprehensively address the major challenges and opportunities facing coastal territories.

The Blue Economy encompasses all economic activities related to oceans, seas, and water resources, promoting a growth model that combines innovation, productivity, and marine environmental conservation. Within this framework, Sun&Blue fosters collaboration among sectors such as marine energy, blue biotechnology, maritime transport, sustainable aquaculture, water management, and port infrastructure, with a sustainable and transformative vision.

Blue Tourism holds a central place in the Sun&Blue agenda. Its ability to create quality jobs, energize local communities, preserve and enhance natural and cultural heritage, and transform development models in coastal destinations makes it a key focus of the congress. From this perspective, Sun&Blue addresses tourism as a tool for change that connects sustainability, technology, and social impact. The goal is clear: to promote regenerative experiences that balance economic activity with the preservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, fostering more responsible, resilient, and locally connected destinations.

Over the course of two intense days, the congress brings together representatives from national and international public administrations, scientific institutions, tourism, technology, and maritime companies, as well as international organizations, with a common goal: to foster knowledge transfer, design advanced public policies, and generate strategic alliances for the balanced development of coastal areas.

Sun&Blue Congress is an essential space for all actors involved in the coastal and marine value chain, where science, tourism, industry, and local governance converge with a shared vision: to transform seas and coasts into engines of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development.

This congress
is for you if...

You are part of the value chain of the tourism sector, sustainability and the blue economy

You are a business owner or in a position of responsibility or management in both tourism companies (hotel chains, cruise lines, restaurant groups, tour operators, activity companies, etc.) and companies that have an impact on the environment in which tourism takes place (natural spaces, beaches, marinas, infrastructure companies, energy companies, waste management, telecommunications, etc.).

You are a member of the public sector with management capabilities

in destinations, cities, beaches, or natural resources (municipalities, provinces, associations of municipalities, tourism boards, environmental departments, autonomous communities, tourism ministries, public tourism entities, etc.).

You are part of the scientific community

dedicated to research, development of projects, conservation, and/or restoration of marine environments, coastal areas, natural resources, water, etc.

You represent an association or foundation

that brings together a collective or social objectives around blue tourism, its infrastructures, management, physical environments, productive fabric, etc.

If you are interested in being at the forefront of tourism

in its sustainable and blue development, knowing about top-level international projects in the field, and hearing from voices of protagonists and true experts in tourism, public management, business, and science impacting blue tourism

What does
Sun&Blue bring?

Promotion of projects and strategic plans

The congress provides a unique platform to present projects and strategic plans related to sustainable tourism. Institutions can use this space to showcase their initiatives, programs, and policies aimed at promoting responsible and sustainable tourism.

Networking for cooperation and strategic alliances

The congress brings together a wide range of key national and international stakeholders in the field of sustainable tourism, including political institutions, destination management organizations, scientific institutions, associations, and private companies. Participation in the event facilitates networking and collaboration with other entities interested in promoting sustainable tourism practices.

Positioning and media dissemination as agents of Blue Tourism

By being part of the congress, institutions have the opportunity to position themselves as leaders in sustainable tourism at the local, regional, national, and international levels. Media coverage of the event will provide them with visibility and public recognition as stakeholders committed to tourism sustainability.

Project dynamism

The exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices during the congress will enable the generation of new projects and initiatives in the field of sustainable tourism, leading to innovation and intersectoral collaboration.

Training of leaders and managers of Sustainable Tourism

The congress offers training and professional development opportunities for leaders and managers involved in the sustainable tourism industry. Participation in educational sessions, workshops, and panel discussions will allow them to acquire updated knowledge and relevant skills for the management of sustainable tourism destinations.

Sun&Blue 2024 in numbers

A congress held in Almería (Spain) for 3 days.
An unprecedented setup of 7,900 m2 with the latest technology.
1,100 attendees from 33 nationalities.
198 speakers, 33 round tables, 4 keynotes and 12 side events.
Innovation, sustainability and collaboration are the three pillars to drive the Blue Economy.
Sponsorship from 26 private companies and 12 exhibitors.
Collaboration with 65 national and international institutions. Including the WestMED initiative from the European Commission.
Certified as a Sustainable Event according to ISO 20121:2013 standard.
Public outreach with 292,090,116 media impacts, 552 news items, €415,341 in generated media value.
A total economic impact of 5,388,630 generated for the region

Sun&Blue 2023 in data

A congress held in Almería (Spain) for 3 days.
An unprecedented setup of 7,200 m2 with the latest technology.
900 attendees from 21 nationalities.
169 speakers, 36 round tables, 11 conferences, 4 keynotes, and 6 relevant parallel events.
Debate, update, and new insights on the main challenges of Blue Tourism: energy, sustainability, governance, training, accessibility, etc.
Sponsorship by 25 private companies and 22 exhibitors.
Collaboration from 35 national and international institutions. Including the WestMED initiative by the European Commission.
Certified as a Sustainable Event according to ISO 20121:2013 standard.
Public dissemination with 387,978,790 media impacts, 541 news articles, €1,674,274 of generated media value.
A total economic impact generated to the region of €3,427,801.

What does
the media say?

Sun&Blue Congress has outlined a future where artificial intelligence, social networks, and emerging technologies like virtual reality stand as the driving force redefining the way tourism will be traveled and enjoyed. Although it poses a challenge, the tourism industry is ready to seize the transformative opportunities offered by these fields, paving the way towards a smarter and more personalized tourist experience.

In its first edition, this pioneering international congress on blue economy and innovation closed with undeniable success. In quantitative terms, over 900 people followed the reflections of 169 speakers live, many of them from countries such as Turkey, Malta, Georgia, Great Britain, USA, Germany, Italy, Portugal, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, or Chile.

A congress that aspires to become the most important on Tourism and Blue Economy in Europe.

Sun&Blue Congress is the first congress at the European level to address tourism and the blue economy and, as Javier Aureliano García, President of the Provincial Council of Almería, has stated, we feel especially proud because Almería is going to lead this perfect combination of sustainability and tourism on a global scale.

Sun&Blue Congress 2024 will host the first international meeting of beach and coastal managers, and efforts are underway to bring the International Summit of the Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) and an international meeting organized by WestMED to Sun&Blue Congress.

The International Congress on Tourism and Blue Economy "Sun&Blue" has concluded its second edition, gathering 1,100 unique participants from 33 countries during three days of celebration at the "Cabo de Gata - City of Almería" Exhibition and Congress Palace.

Sun&Blue Congress presents an innovative program in sustainability and technologies applied to blue tourism.

Sun&Blue Congress 2024 Wraps Up in Almería, Spain Highlighting Tourism and Blue Economy Innovations with Over 1,100 Participants from 33 Countries.

The Sun&Blue Congress addresses the sustainable transition of recreational boating. Spain Marinas participates in the panel on decarbonization of the nautical sector where it highlights the role of marinas.

Sun&Blue is a congress promoted and organized by beon Worldwide, an international agency providing comprehensive services for event organization, advertising and communication, production, entertainment, and technology services operating worldwide which has obtained the Sustainable Event certificate under the ISO 20121:2013 standard, qualified as a carbon-neutral event, and has received the Eventsost seal E-076-23.

Institutional Sponsors

The congress has the institutional sponsorship of the Ministry of Tourism and Andalusia Exterior of the Junta de Andalucía, the City Council of Almería, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing, Water and Rural Development of the Junta de Andalucía and Costa de Almería. In addition, in its past edition it has had the support and collaboration of more than 25 companies and 40 associations in the sector.