The International Conference entitled “Paths that Last” was held with great success on 25 and 26 June 2025 in Split, Croatia, focusing on strengthening cooperation between cross-border and transnational Interreg Programmes with the aim of promoting sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean. The conference was organised by the Mediterranean Multi Programme Mechanism of the Interreg Euro-MED programme and brought together representatives from various European and Mediterranean programmes.
Cooperation for Sustainable Tourism
Programmes such as Interreg Greece-Cyprus, Italy-Croatia, Italy-Slovenia, Italy-France, Italy-Malta, Italy-Tunisia and NEXT MED participated in the conference, presenting projects they are implementing and which are related to sustainable tourism development. The presentations highlighted the need for closer cooperation and exchange of good practices in order to ensure the sustainability of tourism in the sensitive Mediterranean region.
Greek participation: The EL-WINE ROOTS project
A significant Greek presence at the Conference was the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICH), which participates in the EL-WINE ROOTS project of the Interreg Greece-Cyprus Programme. The project was presented by Mr. Georgios Angelakis, who highlighted his contribution to the promotion of a sustainable tourism model based on the exploitation of the cultural heritage of the two main Mediterranean crops: the olive tree and the vine.
In addition to MAICH, the Crete Winemakers Network is participating in the EL-WINE ROOTS project from Crete, while the project coordinator is the Nicosia Development Company. The Municipality of Tseri and the Limassol Development Company are also participating from Cyprus.
The project, which began on May 29, 2025 and has a duration of two years, seeks to highlight the timeless importance of the olive tree and the vine as common cultural elements of Greece and Cyprus, promoting cultural interconnection and creating new tourist routes and products based on local identity.
Culture, Tourism and Sustainability
The main objective of EL-WINE ROOTS is to form a strong tourism pillar based on the knowledge and history of the intervention areas, utilising the cultural capital related to the olive tree and the vine. At the same time, it aims to cultivate tourism awareness and culture in local communities that will be based on the principles of sustainability and authenticity.
Through actions such as the production of educational material, the development of thematic routes and the support of local producers and businesses, the project aspires to create tourism packages that will focus on experience, tradition and respect for the environment.
The Mediterranean is at the heart of efforts
The Split conference was a dynamic step for uniting European and Mediterranean countries around the need for sustainable tourism development in a region challenged by climate change, overtourism and socio-economic inequalities.
Participants stressed the importance of transnational cooperation, the participation of local communities and the preservation of the cultural identity of each region as key elements for tourism that will leave a positive mark on future generations.
