Over the past four years, the Blue Tourism Initiative has worked in the Mediterranean to demonstrate how tourism can become a driver of environmental conservation, community well-being, and sustainable economic development. Led by the IUCN Med, in collaboration with IDDRI, eco-union, and a wide range of local partners, the Initiative has supported pilot actions in Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon while contributing to regional policy dialogue and cooperation on sustainable blue tourism.

The Blue Tourism Initiative returned to Sainte-Marie, Madagascar, to document the experiences, partnerships and local leadership behind one of the initiative’s key achievements in the Western Indian Ocean: the development of the Sainte-Marie Eco-Label, Madagascar’s first island-based sustainable tourism certification scheme.

Over the past four years, the Blue Tourism Initiative (BTI) has demonstrated that sustainable blue tourism is achievable when governance, local ownership, scientific evidence and regional cooperation come together. The Closing Webinar aimed to showcase the Blue Tourism Initiative’s main achievements, reflect on the lessons learned over four years of implementation, and discuss the enabling conditions needed to replicate and scale sustainable blue tourism solutions.

The 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) provided an important platform to explore how blue tourism can drive both marine conservation and inclusive economic development. During the “Towards Inclusive, Sustainable Blue Tourism” side event, experts and practitioners from across the Western Indian Ocean came together to discuss how tourism can become a catalyst for healthier marine ecosystems, stronger coastal communities, and more resilient local economies.

Stakeholders from across the Mediterranean gathered in Barcelona for the event “Advancing Sustainable Blue Tourism in the Mediterranean: Towards the MED Blue Tourism Flagship Initiative”, organised within the framework of the III MED Sustainable Tourism Convention, hosted by the Barcelona Provincial Council. Discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening governance, supporting local communities, and scaling up cooperation through the emerging Mediterranean Blue Tourism Flagship Initiative.

As part of ongoing efforts under the Blue Tourism Initiative, @IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, in collaboration with @Blue Mediterranean League for Youth, carried out a testing mission to refine the two ecotourism experiences being developed in Al Hoceima National Park: a marine itinerary and a mountain-based route inspired by the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

The Blue Tourism Initiative, with CORDIO East Africa and local partners, supported community groups in Diani–Shimoni with community capacity for website management and ownership.
Dedicated tourism websites were developed for the Kaya Kinondo Conservation and Development CBO.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the Blue Tourism Initiative (BTI), in partnership with CANARI, is supporting the development of small-scale, community-based ecotourism in the Nariva Swamp through micro-grants and targeted business support to empower local tourism actors and protect a vital wetland ecosystem.

Blue Tourism Initiative brought together public institutions, tourism stakeholders, civil society organisations and hospitality partners in Djerba, Tunisia for a two-day workshop focused on consolidating achievements and shaping the next steps towards a more biodiversity-friendly tourism model on the island.

The Blue Tourism Initiative, with CORDIO East Africa and local partners, supported community groups in Diani–Shimoni with equipment, infrastructure upgrades, and capacity building.
These actions strengthen local ownership and the long-term sustainability of blue tourism enterprises.