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Blue Tourism Initiative in the Mediterranean: 2025 Milestones Advancing Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism
December 2025
2025 was a pivotal year for the Blue Tourism Initiative in the Mediterranean, marking major steps toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient blue tourism model across the region.
Led by the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN-Med), in coordination with IDDRI and eco-union, and through the key role of local partners in Morocco, Tunisia and Lebanon, the Initiative has continued to strengthen local action, policy integration, and regional knowledge exchange.
Local Action and Pilot Progress
At the pilot sites in Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon, 2025 saw tangible progress toward sustainable tourism models that balance nature conservation, community well-being, and economic opportunity.
Djerba Island (Tunisia)
Awareness campaigns and visitor workshops reached over 300 participants at the Ras Raml Ramsar site, enhancing understanding of the island’s unique ecosystems. In parallel, 16 hotels took part in a new sustainability training programme focused on biodiversity protection, beach management, and energy efficiency, developed with institutional partners and hotel operators such as Iberostar. These actions are helping embed environmental stewardship into Djerba’s tourism offer, while strengthening local capacity and alignment with Tunisia’s national sustainable tourism strategies.
Lebanon (Tyre, Palm Islands, and Anfeh)
In Tyre Coast Nature Reserve, ecological and socio-economic assessments laid the groundwork for long-term recovery and conservation, involving local actors and 120 students through environmental education. At the Palm Islands Nature Reserve, improved visitor management, new eco-facilities, and awareness activities led to a 75% increase in ecotourism revenue, supporting the reserve’s financial sustainability. Meanwhile, at the Anfeh Saltpans, a new community-based cultural itinerary was co-created with residents, connecting local heritage and nature while drawing national media attention to sustainable tourism opportunities along Lebanon’s northern coast.
Al Hoceima National Park (Morocco)
A Local Ecotourism Cluster waas established, bringing together 22 associations, cooperatives, and small businesses under a shared vision for sustainable tourism. Field activities included ecological dives, beach clean-ups, and youth training, while new ecotourism circuits are being designed using the MEET Network model to connect conservation, culture, and local livelihoods. These efforts are positioning Al Hoceima as a reference site for participatory and community-driven ecotourism on the southern Mediterranean coast.
Regional Policy and Cooperation Milestones
A major milestone in 2025 was the approval of the MED Blue Tourism Flagship Initiative under the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD). Co-led by IUCN Med, IDDRI, eco-union, and Plan Bleu, the Flagship was formally launched during COP24 of the Barcelona Convention in Cairo.
The initiative aims to:
- Boost cooperation and cross-border coordination among governments and stakeholders across the Mediterranean.
- Advance nature-based and evidence-based tourism governance that aligns ecological protection with socio-economic benefits.
- Promote participatory governance and inclusive engagement of youth, women, and local communities in decision-making.
- Support the development of regional and national roadmaps for sustainable blue tourism.
- Anchor policy innovation and strategic dialogue through a Mediterranean Blue Tourism Innovation Task Force, building on existing partner networks and expertise.
The Flagship now serves as the regional framework for scaling up sustainable and inclusive blue tourism practices, linking local achievements to wider policy and cooperation agendas across the Mediterranean basin.
Visibility, Partnerships and Knowledge Sharing
In 2025, the Initiative amplified its visibility through participation in high-level regional and international events, including the UN Ocean Conference (Nice), the Sun&Blue Congress (Almería), and COP24 (Cairo).
These platforms showcased Mediterranean pilot experiences and policy innovations, while fostering dialogue among public authorities, the private sector, and civil society on the transition toward a nature-positive and climate-resilient tourism model.
Toward a Sustainable Blue Future
By connecting local action and regional policy, the Blue Tourism Initiative is laying the foundations for a shared Mediterranean vision of sustainable tourism—one that values ecosystems, empowers communities, and strengthens resilience in the face of global change.
As 2026 approaches, BTI will continue to support partners and governments in mainstreaming sustainable blue tourism into Mediterranean strategies and investment frameworks, ensuring that the region’s coastal and marine treasures remain a source of prosperity for generations to come.
