Knowledge documents
18 July 2025
Empowering circular tourism: The ECOTOURS handbook for community-based practices
Knowledge documents
18 July 2025
Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism
Cultural tourism
Ecotourism
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The ECOTOURS project has released a practical handbook designed to promote circular tourism across Europe by sharing adaptable, community-based practices from SMEs in six countries, with a focus on sustainability, digital innovation, and strategic collaboration.
Topics
Cyprus
France
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Spain
Academic / Research and VET Institutions
Cultural and Heritage Organisations
Destination Management & Marketing Organisations
Local Authorities
NGOs / Non-profits
Regional Authorities
SMEs (a company with less than 250 employees)
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Specific types of tourism
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Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism
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Cultural tourism
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Ecotourism
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Rural tourism
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Urban/city tourism
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Transition Pathway Strategic Areas
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Best practices, peer learning and networking
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Circularity of tourism services
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Green Transition of Tourism Companies and SMEs
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Business activities
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Activities of amusement parks and theme parks
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Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism
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Air passenger transport
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Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks
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Events catering and other food services
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Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities
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Gardens and nature reserves activities
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Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation
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Hotel and similar accommodation
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Mobile beverage services
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Mobile food services
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Museums
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Operation of historical sites
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Other
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Other accommodation
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Other amusement and recreation activities
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Other food and beverage services
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Other holiday reservation services
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Other tourism transportation activities
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Rail Passenger transport
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Recreational and sport activities
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Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)
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Road passenger transport
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Tour operator activities
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Travel agency activities
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Water (sea, coastal and inland) passenger transport
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In May 2025, the ECOTOURS project—co-funded by the European Union—published the “Handbook on community-based practices on circular tourism”, a guide designed to support the expansion of circular tourism practices within communities across Europe. Drawing on insights from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in six participating countries—Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Spain—the handbook outlines practical approaches across five thematic areas: digitalisation, circular economy, biodiversity, sustainability, and the clean energy transition.
The first three study visits (Agrigento, Nicosia, and Vigo) focused on foundational knowledge and hands-on tools for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), while the last three (Bastia, Szeged, and Kozani) emphasised digital innovation, stakeholder engagement, and the development of strategic partnerships.
The handbook is structured to be adaptable, enabling other regions to replicate the practices demonstrated by participating SMEs. Its objective is to promote the adoption of circular tourism principles that contribute to environmental sustainability and economic resilience at both local and broader levels.
#Ecotourism #Responsible travel #Circular tourism economy #Sustainable tourism #Climate-friendly tourism practices #Biodiversity #Stakeholder engagement #Innovation in tourism #Handbooks and guidelines
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