Circular tourism models for inclusive growth in Mediterranean rural landscapes

The proposal Circular tourism models for inclusive growth in Mediterranean rural landscapes has been submitted under the Programme ENI CBC MED Programme, First call for standard projects. The proposal submitted has not been accepted for funding. The CirculaTourism project aims to apply the concept of circular economy to tourism to increase the attractiveness of less favoured Mediterranean rural landscapes as alternative touristic destinations beyond the seasonal "sea and sand" tourism, attempting to reverse the challenges of abandonment and depopulation in sites with under-exploited potential for tourism development; to reduce marginality and provide opportunities for growth and jobs; to promote tourism services and products accessing emerging niche markets related to: 1. Sustainable nature/heritage-led niche tourism activities, e.g. hospitality in traditional villages with opportunities for 'experiental' tourism; 2. Valorisation of agricultural heritage, agrobiodiversity, historic trails and gastronomy; 3. A tourism network supported through partnerships among MSMEs and tourism authorities, business networks. The project will contribute to increase livelihoods of small-micro family enterprises, leveraging the potential of natural and cultural heritage: agroproducts and cultural assets of these territories such as dry-stone walls, terraces, historic rural religious sites. It builds on circular economy principles, which have been practiced for centuries in rural communities. CirculaTourism will deliver a common knolwedge framework for the involved partners; circular tourism destination management plans to integrate tourism in sustainable territorial development strategies; a methodology for circular business model canvas application; enhancement of MSMEs in sites of niche touristic interest; Decision Support Tools such as Landscape Character Assessment maps and Wise Tourism Index; Local Action Plans co-developed with local communities; capacity building for small-scale enterpreneurs and authorities, cross-border memoranda of understanding between CSOs, public and tourism authorities.