Sun&Blue Congress Awards 2025
The Sun&Blue 2025 Awards ceremony took place this afternoon as part of the III Edition of the Sun&Blue Congress.
Published at 9 hours ago
These awards recognize innovation, commitment, and excellence in the development of the Blue Economy, highlighting national and international initiatives that promote more sustainable tourism, energy and water management, and experiences related to the sea.
In this third edition, the awards were presented by leading professionals from sectors related to tourism and sustainability, both from the public and private spheres, in a ceremony that once again highlighted the congress's leadership in promoting transformative projects.
The winners of the Sun&Blue 2025 Awards in their various categories are:
Best Oral Communication
The award for Best Oral Communication went to the study “Popular music festivals on the Spanish coast (2015–2025): bases for measuring their impact on blue tourism,” by Daniel Catalá-Pérez and Juan Luis Nicolau, from the Polytechnic University of Valencia.
Best Poster Presentation
The award for Best Poster Presentation went to “Rethinking the sustainability of cruise tourism,” a study by the University of Almería that analyzes tensions, impacts, and strategies for emerging destinations in southeastern Spain.
Blue Innovation Challenge
Challenges 1, 2, and 3 were also held during the conference, rewarding innovative solutions presented on site by participants.
The jury awarded a Special Mention to the Terrimar Colindres Azul – Territorio Marinero Turístico Azul de Colindres project, promoted by the Colindres City Council (Cantabria).
Sun&Blue 2025 Awards: Blue Destination
The main award for the Sun&Blue 2025 Blue Destination went to Dubrovnik – Respect the City, a comprehensive sustainable tourism management strategy promoted by the Croatian city.
The Jury's Special Mention recognized the URVEN PARK L self-powered photovoltaic canopy, developed by Domini Ambiental (Barcelona).
Innovation in Blue Energy Management
The main prize went to the Port of Vigo Hydrogen Strategy, set up as a living lab for port energy transition.
Cooperation in the Blue Economy
The award went to the Spanish Blue Schools Cluster, based in Felanitx (Balearic Islands), for its work in training and promoting ocean culture among educational institutions throughout the country.
The Jury's Special Mention went to the Vertical Garden at the Hotel Mariposa, a project by Biotonomy AB (Malaga) that reuses grey water to renaturalize urban spaces.
Innovation in Blue Water Management
The award in this category went to Bioremed Algae, by Mediterranean Algae (Alicante), for its algae-based bioremediation system.
Blue Tourism Experience 2025
The TUNA TOUR project, by Balfegó (Tarragona), was recognized for its immersive proposal that combines marine education and experiential tourism linked to bluefin tuna.
Sun&Blue 2025 Special Award: To the Living Memory of the Sea
This year's tribute went to Mario Sanz, lighthouse keeper from Mesa Roldán (Almería), whose work and career represent the essence and living memory of the coastline.
