Europe's outermost regions are known for their natural and cultural richness, yet they face important challenges linked to seasonality, accessibility and environmental vulnerability being exposed to the impact of climate change. Tourism is a vital economic pillar for these regions. Nevertheless, more can be done to tap into the sector's high potential for economic growth while protecting the local fragile ecosystems.

The extraordinary underwater cultural and natural heritage of EU's outermost regions remains still underexploited. The ecoRoute project, co-funded by the EU under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund , responds to this reality by promoting community-driven tourism solutions that respect environmental limits while strengthening local identities and long-term economic resilience.

The project brings together nine partners from Greece, France and Portugal to address high unemployment and the underuse of rich natural and cultural assets in the Azores, Madeira and Martinique. With the promotion of underwater cultural and natural heritage and by diversifying offerings for tourists and local communities, the ecoRoute project aims at transforming these regions into smart, green and sustainable tourism destinations.

The project developed eco-tourism packages and multi-destination routes, connecting the participating regions, diversifying tourism flows and empowering local communities.

Aligning cultural identity with ecological responsibility

The ecoRoute project goes beyond promoting sustainable tourism. It connects communities, heritage and the environment in a structured and strategic way. Since its launch, the project has mapped underwater cultural and natural assets, established regional partnerships and tested pilot eco-tourism routes that balance visitor experience with conservation. Results include improved local stakeholder collaboration, strengthened regional tourism strategies and enhanced awareness of lesser-known underwater sites, that have the potential to attract new audiences while protecting fragile ecosystems.

Through local capacity-building actions and knowledge awareness centres, the project aims at engage local communities, align their cultural identity with ecological responsibility and foster their development.

Polyvios Raxis, ecoRoute project coordinator, states:

"The power of ecoRoute is the co-work with local communities in European outermost regions for sustainable tourism growth, while leveraging on unique cultural and natural assets of each region."

The BluePEF calculator for sustainable diving services

The ecoRoute project developed an innovative tool enabling diving companies and sea operators in the EU's outermost regions understand and reduce their environmental footprint. Called BluePEF, the online tool allows diving companies to automatically calculate the environmental impact of their typical products and services for tourists, thus engaging in sustainable tourism practices.

Delivering on Europe's green and blue ambitions and the European Ocean Pact

The ecoRoute project contributes directly to the Transition Pathway for Tourism, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Sustainable Blue Economy framework . By promoting low-impact tourism models and raising awareness of fragile marine ecosystems, the project supports climate resilience, biodiversity protection and responsible use of marine resources. At the same time, it advances EU cohesion objectives by fostering inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods in remote and outermost regions. It aligns with key objectives of the European Ocean Pact , namely boosting competitiveness of the sustainable blue economy and supporting coastal, island and outermost regions.

For more information

For a deeper dive into the ecoRoute project, watch the Euronews Ocean episode on Sea-friendly tourism , and the images from the project's video gallerywhich includes fascinating shipwrecks on seabeds. Check the project websiteand follow them on their social media (Facebook, X, Instragram, LinkedIn, YouTube). Check the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

AMU - UNIVERSITE D'AIX MARSEILLE (France)

UNL - UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA (Portugal)

DTP - DEEP TURTLE PLONGEE (France)

OMA - OBSERVATORIO DO MAR DOS ACOREACORES (Portugal)

ATSF - ASSOCIACAO DE TURISMO SUSTENTAVEL DO FAIAL ILHA AZUL (Portugal)

CEAM - CENTRO DE ESTUDOS DE ARQUEOLOGIA MODERNA E CONTEMPORANEA ASSOCIACAO CEAM (Portugal)

AAPA - ASSOCIATION ARCHEOLOGIE PETITES ANTILLES (France)

ETEC - ENALIES TECHNOLOGIES IKE (Greece)