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A New Era in Tourism Governance: Launch of the Innovative Sustainable Tourism Handbook

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25 February 2026

A New Era in Tourism Governance: Launch of the Innovative Sustainable Tourism Handbook

Adventure tourism

Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

Cultural tourism

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A winding road in the middle of a forest

Discover the transformative "Handbook for Sustainable Tourism Observatories," a seminal resource set to redefine tourism governance practices across Europe through strategic, evidence-based approaches.

Authors

Editorial team

Related Organisation(s)

Interreg Euro-MED

Topics
Geographical descriptors

Albania

Armenia

Austria

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

EU-27

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Kosovo

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Moldova

Montenegro

Netherlands

North Macedonia

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Türkiye

Ukraine

Other

Organisation Type

Destination Management & Marketing Organisations

  • Specific types of tourism

    • Adventure tourism

    • Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

    • Cultural tourism

    • Ecotourism

    • Education tourism

    • Festival tourism

    • Gastronomy tourism

    • Health and medical tourism

    • MICE tourism

    • Mountain tourism

    • Religious tourism

    • Rural tourism

    • Sports tourism

    • Urban/city tourism

    • Wellness tourism

  • Transition Pathway Strategic Areas

    • Best practices, peer learning and networking

    • Cross-border travelling

    • Governance of tourism destinations

    • Improving statistics and indicators

    • Tools for data on tourism

    • Tourism strategies

  • Business activities

    • Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism

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The release of the "Handbook for Sustainable Tourism Observatories: Strategies, Governance and Implementation Guidelines" has heralded a new chapter in sustainable tourism governance. Developed under the Interreg Euro-MED Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories, this guide offers a detailed framework for effectively operating Sustainable Tourism Observatories (STOs), underscoring the importance of data-driven decision-making and integrated policy strategies.

Crafted with the collaborative efforts of influential European entities — including the Lazio Region in Italy, the European University of Rome, and the El legado andalusí Foundation in Spain — the handbook encapsulates innovative approaches to data management, stakeholder engagement, and policy integration. The collective expertise aims to empower STOs to not just monitor but actively shape sustainable tourism policies.

The handbook is a keystone in the broader effort spearheaded by the Interreg Euro-MED Dialogue4Tourism Project, in partnership with the Community4Tourism Project. This initiative endeavors to align STO objectives with significant sustainability frameworks, such as the EU Transition Pathway for Tourism and the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism, promising a robust platform for future tourism governance.

With a network comprising 40 member institutions across Europe, the initiative is poised to leverage diverse sector expertise to extend its influence and impact. The publication of this handbook is a pivotal moment for sustainable tourism, paving the way for STOs to become proactive change agents in the tourism arena.

Curious to delve deeper into these groundbreaking strategies? Follow the link for more details.

#Governance of tourism destinations #Sustainable tourism planning #Stakeholder engagement #Strategies and actions #Tourism sustainability indicators #Cross-regional cooperation

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