Sun&Blue Congress, a meeting point for international Blue Economy and Tourism projects

The Sun&Blue Congress, held on November 20, 21 and 22 in Almeria, has established itself as an international benchmark in the field of Sustainable Tourism and the Blue Economy, attracting participants and projects from all over Europe and the Mediterranean. This event has highlighted the leadership of Andalusia as an epicenter of international initiatives, bringing together high-impact side events ranging from launching working groups, internal meetings, capacity sessions, hackathons…

An international showcase of sustainable initiatives

Within the framework of the congress, several meetings highlighted the European and Mediterranean commitment to sustainable tourism and the ecological and digital transition:

- Internal meeting CPMR-Intermediterranean Commission Working Group. Task Force on Culture and Sustainable Tourism organized by CPMR-IMC with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Andalusia Exterior of the Andalusian Regional Government and the presence of CPMR Intermediterranean Commission, Region of Sardinia, IUCN Med, Plan Bleu, EMFAF Project.

- 2nd Annual Joint Forum of the Interreg Euro-MED Sustainable Tourism Mission organized by the Sustainable Tourism Mission of the Interreg Euro-MED Program with the presence of NECSTouR - Network of European Regions for Competitive and Sustainable Tourism, Diputación de Barcelona, El legado andalusí Andalusian Public Foundation (Regional Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Government of Andalusia, Spain), European Law Organisation EPLO (Greece),...

- Official launch of the Western Mediterranean Sustainable Tourism Technical Group organized by WestMED Initiative with the participation on behalf of the European Commission of: Vincent Fravel DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission. Yasmin Schinas-Romeu Head of Regional Cooperation and Maritime Safety of the European Commission, as well as members of UfM, WOC, Ascame, CRPM and Interreg Office.

- Dialogue “Alliance for the Sea” organized by AGAPA and with the participation of Gunter Pauli, the Directorate General for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Economy of the Junta de Andalucía and WestMED Initiative.

- Final dissemination event of the ECO-CRUISING FUTOUR project organized by X23-The Innovation Bakery in collaboration with ASCAME (Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce) and the participation of Tangier City Port, Leancubator, Green Evolution, ENIT, Grupo Erre, Cyprus Marina and Maritime Institute,...

- Internal event NaTour4CChange Project organized by Interreg Euro_Med with the support of the Consejería de Turismo y Andalucía Exterior de la Junta de Andalucía and the presence of CPMR Intermediterranean Commission, Croatian Tourism Institute, IUCN,...

- Employment opportunities session organized by blue-jobs and the participation of Iberostar, Plan Bleu, to connect with professionals in the marine conservation and sustainable tourism sector.

A success for Andalusia and the Blue Economy

The Sun&Blue Congress has shown that Andalusia is an epicenter for the development of Sustainable Tourism and Blue Economy projects, bringing together experts, institutions and initiatives that drive change at a local and international level. This event not only consolidates the region as a reference, but also opens new doors to collaboration and innovation in a key sector for sustainable development.