Sustainable tourism and macro-regional strategies: how European regions cooperate for a better future and economic progress

In Slovenia's Izola, from September 16 to 20, 2024, the ninth International Mediterranean Coast and European Macro-Regional Strategies Week was held. More than 200 participants from across Europe took part in discussions on interregional cooperation, with a special emphasis on sustainable tourism, digitalization, circular economy, and smart specialization. Representatives from the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sports were among the key participants, particularly in discussions about the importance of sustainable tourism as one of the main drivers of economic development in European regions.

Macro-regional strategies, such as the Danube and Adriatic-Ionian, in which Croatia actively participates, aim to strengthen interregional cooperation and address common challenges. These strategies bring together 19 member states of the European Union and 8 countries outside the EU, with a total population of over 340 million people. Their main purpose is to strengthen cohesion and ensure sustainable economic development, particularly through innovation and the transfer of knowledge among regions.

Sustainable tourism in focus

At this year's gathering, tourism was recognized as one of the key sectors for economic progress, with a special focus on sustainable forms of tourism. This approach enables the development of regions in a way that protects the environment and ensures long-term benefits for local communities. Croatia, as the coordinator of the fourth pillar of the Adriatic-Ionian strategy for sustainable tourism, in cooperation with Albania, continues to work on enhancing the tourism sector in the region.

One of the main challenges discussed was how to ensure the transfer of innovations and good practices among regions, especially in light of the new objectives of the EU cohesion policy preparing for the period after 2027. Cooperation in this area includes the exchange of experiences in the circular economy and digitalization, which are key priorities for regions that want to ensure their resilience to future challenges.

Workshops and interactive programs

In addition to plenary sessions, the event included a series of workshops and conferences that allowed participants to explore key themes in more detail. One of the most significant workshops was "Digital Alps," where experts discussed the role of digitalization in connecting regions, while a special workshop dedicated to soft skills enabled participants to develop their communication and organizational abilities.

This meeting was an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships and create new ones. Participants discussed long-term strategies for future economic and social development of European regions, and many expressed confidence that further strengthening interregional cooperation would be a key factor in achieving sustainable development goals.

Croatian representatives actively participated in all aspects of the event, from workshops to the plenary session, with a special emphasis on strengthening tourism through sustainable practices. This event, which has become traditional in the region, demonstrates how important international cooperation is for long-term economic progress and environmental preservation.