ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR, Sustainability on the wave

Cruising is one of the most promising activities of the maritime and costal tourism, mobilising millions of visitors. Yet it still lacks a proper sustainable approach. Co-funded by the EMFAF programme, ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR project aims at boosting new managerial, blue, green and digital skills to pave the way for an eco-friendly, zero-impact cruising sector.

Coordinated by X23 The Innovation Bakery, an independent, multidisciplinary research centre in Italy, ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR’s objective is to reduce the environmental footprint of the cruise sector and to increase the responsibility of visitors in the West Mediterranean region.

The project will design innovative, sustainable and smart cruising packages targeting Millennials and Gen Z, aiming at minimising the impact of large groups of visitors. The green component of the package will stimulate participants to enjoy nature-based tourism, where possible using alternative zero-impact means of transport to explore the places visited. At the same time, it will foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.

The project will also design and deliver a specialised capacity building programme, enabling cross-border cooperation, exchange of good practices and unlocking new business opportunities around the eco-cruise sector. The target are small and medium companies in the West Mediterranean area, as well as public and private stakeholders in charge of the promotion of EU and West European coastal and maritime destinations.

The project contributes to achieving key EU policy priorities as set in the Communication on a New approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU , but is also in line with the European Green Deal, the WestMed Initiative Strategy on the promotion of a sustainable tourism, the new Agenda for the Mediterranean, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (6, 8, 11, 12, 13 , 14).

To get to know more about ECO-CRUISING FU-TOUR project and stay updated on their activities, check their project website and blog, and subscribe to their newsletter.