Climate and Sustainable Tourism: Sardinia at the heart of Mediterranean cooperation
On Wednesday, April 15, a press conference was held at the headquarters of the Department of Environmental Protection of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, within the framework of the NaTour4CChange project. The aim was twofold: to present the progress and key activities of the project so far, and to officially launch the 3rd Pilot Destinations Exchange Workshop, taking place from April 15 to 17 in Villasimius.
The workshop brings together seven coastal tourism destinations from across the Mediterranean, all working through the project on developing practical strategies to adapt to climate change. It also offers a valuable moment for partners to meet in person, exchange experiences, and align on the next steps as the project moves into its final phase. Opening the press conference, Regional Councilor for the Environment Rosanna Laconi reaffirmed the Region’s commitment to climate adaptation, highlighting its strong link with the Sardinia 2030 Regional Strategy for Sustainable Development. She also announced the inclusion of a new pilot destination, the Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area, designated by the Region. With this addition, Sardinia now hosts two pilot sites, bringing the total number across the project to seven. She noted that the Regional Strategy for Climate Adaptation in Coastal Tourism, which brings together a set of targeted measures and actions, will soon be submitted to the Strategia Regionale di adattamento ai cambiamenti climatici (SRACC) Policy Steering Committee and then to the regional executive for adoption. 
Regional Councilor for Tourism Franco Cuccuredu also underlined the importance of the project, particularly in helping destinations better understand theimpacts of climate change on coastal tourism and explore effective responses. He stressed the need to connect scientific knowledge with decision-making, so that the efforts made can translate into real resilience on the ground, while maintaining and strengthening the attractiveness of destinations. He also pointed to the importance of involving local economic operators through the regional working group currently being set up, and the need to support them in adapting to these changes. At the same time, he highlighted the role of new forms of tourism marketing that can turn sustainability into a competitive advantage. From the project side, Damir Krešić (Managing Director of the Institute for Tourism), together with Project Coordinator Izidora Marković Vukadin and Luca Santarossa, focused on the broader perspective that NaTour4CChange brings.
The project encourages a shift in how we see tourism, placing both visitors and local communities at the centre of a shared learning process, and supporting destinations in becoming more capable of responding and adapting to climate change. They presented the different regions and partners involved, along with the joint actions that combine public planning, targeted services, responsible behaviour from the private sector, and new approaches to tourism marketin
g and emerging market segments. Izidora Marković Vukadin also outlined the three-d ay programme in Villasimius. The first day focuses on nature-based solutions and their financial feasibility, along with ongoing communication activities. On the second day, each pilot area presents its approach, the solutions it is developing, and its planned marketing actions, receiving feedback from experts and engaging in group work. The final day is dedicated to field visits to key sites in Villasimius, which are not just a backdrop, but central to the work being carried out. The press conference set the tone for the days ahead, with Sardinia hosting a shared Mediterranean effort to address climate challenges in coastal tourism.
