Balearic Marine Cluster is still committed to the blue economy & joins the project "We Med Natour"

The Balearic Marine Cluster becomes part of the 'We Med Natour' project, a comprehensive training programme consisting of six modules, which provides businesses with deeper knowledge and the necessary tools to among other things, incorporate sustainable environmental practices into their tourism operations, preserving the natural beauty of destinations and offering memorable experiences to visitors.

In addition to mastering online tools and techniques to improve their online presence, reach wider audiences and maximize their commercial potential. And to attract and engage the school tourism sector. 

The ultimate goal is to develop sustainable tourism packages tailored to international and national school groups in three different age groups (6-10 years, 11-13 years and 14-16 years). These packages aim to increase the attractiveness of coastal and nautical destinations in the countries participating in the project: Italy, Mauritania, Portugal and Spain. The aim is to make the environmental and cultural richness of these destinations known to a wider audience, with a special focus on the younger generations.

With a commitment to minimizing environmental impact, generating economic benefits for local communities, promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness among children and students about responsible travel and cultural exchanges, this project aligns with the European Commission's objectives to develop a sustainable blue economy strategy. 

The main goals of the project are to create value-added opportunities for SMEs in the tourism sector, increasing their competitiveness and expanding income prospects throughout the year through an online training programme. This programme focuses especially on knowledge related to maritime policy, tourism and sustainability, while enhancing digital skills. 

In addition to materializing learning for children and students by combining classroom teaching with practical experiences in authentic and sustainable tourism environments. And to build on the lessons learned from the pilot project to establish a model of school excursions associated with sustainable tourism packages.

The project reached an important milestone with the successful enrolment of a high number of participants and the selection of partner schools in four countries. The SME Capacity Building Programme, a vital component of the We Med Natour project, has generated interest and participation from SMEs wishing to improve their skills and competitiveness. 

On the 17th of October, 175 participants employed in SMEs enrolled in the programme, a figure that manifests the relevance of the programme and its potential impact on the tourism sector. 

These schools, chosen for pilot trips in each participating country, will play a key role in providing high quality training experiences for their students. This will create an enabling environment for growth, innovation and sustainability in their respective regions and foster awareness of responsible travel among the younger generation.