Representatives from ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR, the EU co-funded project aiming at exploiting the green and blue potential of the West Mediterranean tourism SMEs, will explore what a sustainable cruise destination looks like in practice in the on-coming SeaTrade Med Conference, which will take place in the city of Málaga (Spain) in September 2024. The panel will emphasize the following key topics to advance towards more sustainable cruise tourism practices in the Mediterranean region:

• Social integration and community involvement: The ECO-CRUISING Project focuses on engaging local communities. Sustainable tourism supports local economies, preserves cultural heritage, and empowers residents to participate in decision-making.
• Protecting natural ecosystems: Minimizing waste, conserving water, and preserving biodiversity.
• Responsible travel: Tourists are encouraged to choose eco-friendly options, respect local customs, and minimize their ecological footprint. This includes using public transportation, supporting local businesses, and reducing plastic waste.
• Cooperation: Sustainable tourism requires collaboration among governments, businesses, and communities to ensure long-term benefits.

In the framework of the upcoming conference in Málaga, insights will be drawn from the European Commission’s Good Practices for Sustainable Cruise Tourism report. This study, published in 2023, has become the main point of reference and starting point for ECO-CRUISING representatives. The report refers to several environmental goals for the cruise industry, such as circular economy principles, energy efficiency and fuel flexibility, apart from collaboration across all the industry’s players. In this sense, the study highlights different examples of environmental protection, community well-being and ethical governance that ECOCRUISING FU_TOUR recommend being a guideline for the cruise industry. There are practices across a range of cruise players that the industry can look to for learnings, ranging from Onshore Power Supply (OPS), LNG bunkering, sustainable cruise terminals, food waste reduction and waste treatment to a holistic approach to destination management.

The ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR Project contributes to advance towards sustainable transition in the cruise sector through executive studies and awareness-raising workshops in local communities across Italy, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. The project also proposes a unique pilot itinerary plan that enforces sustainability principles. One of the project’s key tasks is to discover sustainable dimensions of cruise tourism. By working with small groups and individuals, the project aims to enhance the use of local offerings, such as food boutiques, cultural experiences, natural attractions, and small commercial activities. While there may not be specific markets exclusively interested in sustainable cruise tourism, there is a broad demand for authentic tourist experiences.