Speakers

José Manuel Camarero

Regional Secretary for Tourism of the Regional Government of Valencia

A psychologist by training and a marketing professional by vocation, José Manuel Camarero Benítez has more than twenty years of experience leading strategies in marketing, innovation, and digitalization within the tourism sector. In his current role as Regional Secretary for Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana, he promotes public policies focused on sustainable tourism, the blue economy, and the digital transformation of the sector.

Throughout his career, he has led multidisciplinary teams in both public and private entities, notably serving as Director of the Marketing Area at the Visit València Foundation, where he managed European projects related to sustainability, accessibility, and technological innovation. He previously held senior positions at Marina d’Or and Paradores de Turismo, focusing his work on enhancing tourism competitiveness through digital tools, experiential marketing, and destination branding.

Session:

BC02 - Living Resources, Invasive Algae and Circular Solutions

SE01 - Interreg projects in Blue Economy: present and future

10:35h

Thursday, November 20

Room Andalucía

T05 - Regenerative Tourism: Between Ambition and Reality

Which aspects of the transformation of destinations are feasible today, and which remain utopian?

This panel will critically address the true scope of regenerative tourism, analyzing its applicability in European coastal destinations. Success stories such as ecosystem restoration and community empowerment will be presented, along with the structural challenges that limit its implementation. The session will combine academic reflection, institutional vision, and practical experiences to propose a roadmap tailored to the Mediterranean.

15:30h

Wednesday, November 19

Room Andalucía

SE01 - Interreg projects in Blue Economy: present and future

Organized by

Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism (MMM)

Description

The Mediterranean Multi-Program Mechanism (MMM) brings together Interreg programs to collaborate more closely and make better use of resources in the Mediterranean region. Since its inception in 2022, eight programs covering 22 Mediterranean countries are already participating.

Given that the blue economy and sustainable tourism are intrinsically linked concepts, the Sun&Blue Congress represents an ideal opportunity to share good practices from the Mediterranean in the field of the blue economy and to promote meaningful dialogue on how to move forward in this sector. It also provides a platform to explore how Interreg programs and projects can contribute to the development of a healthy and sustainable blue economy in the Mediterranean, especially with a view to the post-2027 horizon.

The event will showcase good practices in the blue economy promoted by Interreg MMM, with high potential for scalability and/or replicability in the Mediterranean and other EU regions. It will be an opportunity for the public to discover new trends and innovative solutions in the blue economy and to exchange experiences with actors from the three shores of the Mediterranean.

Addressed to

Entrepreneurs, professionals offering innovative products/services in Blue Economy, researchers, staff of public bodies working on coastal topics, people interested on applying for funding.

Agenda

1. Introduction - Vincent Ernoux, Coordinator of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme Branch Office for the Western Mediterranean

2. Keynote Speaker - José Manuel Camarero, Regional Secretary for Tourism of the Valencian Regional Government

3. Sustainable Tourism in Interreg Mediterranean Programmes: Overview and State of Play - Valeria Cibrario, Senior Programme Manager at Interact Programme

4. Round table: The present: Blue economy good practices and solutions.

Moderator: Vincent Ernoux, Coordinator of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme Branch Office for the Western Mediterranean

GREENMEDPORTS: Beladjine Boumediene, Researcher at the University of Science and Technology of Oran Mohamed Boudiaf (USTO-MB)
SHARE4MED: Alessandra Azzola, Project Manager at Deda Group
COMMUNITY4TOURISM: Josep Rodríguez. Coordinator of the Interreg Euro-MED Community for Sustainable Tourism
REGENERA4MED. Paula di Iorio, European Projects and International Relations Unit of the Catalan Tourism Agency
WEST MED Blue Economy Initiative: IMarta Pascual, Spanish National Hub for WestMED Initiative

5. Round table: The future: How do you see the place for Blue Economy in Interreg Projects especially considering the new Multiannual Financial Framework proposal launched by the EC in 2025?