The Coimbra Region Intermunicipal Community (CIM-Coimbra) proudly hosted the Kick-off Event of the Tourism4SDG project on September 24th and 25th at the historic and prestigious University of Coimbra.
The Kick-Off Meeting (on the 24th of September) commenced with a warm welcome from Dr. Jorge Brito, Executive Secretary of CIM-Coimbra, the project’s lead partner. During the first session, each partner shared insights into the uniqueness of their territories and outlined the policy instruments at play, the areas for improvement, and the expected results. This insightful session established the foundation for interregional learning and sustainable tourism strategic development.
The first Good Practices Committee also took place on the event’s first day, various important topics were discussed such as the reporting procedures and the next steps in the project timeline. The event continued with the presentation of Tourism4SDG’s communication strategy, followed by an engaging Q&A session that allowed participants to exchange ideas. The first-day event came to an end with a networking dinner, providing a more informal setting for Tourism4SDG partners to connect and foster relationships.
The Knowledge Transfer Seminar event (on the 25th of September) counted on the presence of the participant regions of Tourism4SDG and several key local stakeholders. To open the day, representatives from the University of Coimbra and CIM-Coimbra underscored the importance of sustainable tourism in promoting regional development and the importance of this seminar in fostering interregional cooperation.
The first session “Implementing and Measuring Sustainable Tourism” featured presentations from 3 notable entities: the University of Coimbra reinforced the role of research and education in driving sustainable practices; the Centre of Portugal Tourism Regional Body provided insights on regional strategies for advancing sustainable tourism; and the Municipality of Galati (representing the Urban Agenda for the EU) focused on the challenges and accomplishments of sustainable tourism in urban settings. In the second session “Good Practices for Measuring Sustainable Tourism” representatives from Turismo de Portugal, shared national initiatives for monitoring tourism sustainability and the Global Goals Research for Sustainability, providing an international perspective on aligning tourism practices with the global SDGs.
To conclude, a representative of Interreg Europe National Authority at the Development and Cohesion Agency emphasised the vital role of cohesion policies in supporting sustainable tourism across regions. The event ended with a walking tour of the University of Coimbra, allowing participants to discover the recognised UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tourism4SDG commenced in April 2024 and will run until June 2028. Stay updated on the latest developments by following us on Tourism4SDG LinkedIn.
For more information about the Tourism4SDG project: Mare-Liis Kanarik, mareliis.kanarik@visittartu.com.