Looking forward to our online discussion tomorrow (Tuesday 10th of March at 7:00 UTC) with Masaru Takayama, Founding Chairperson, Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies, about how destinations, businesses, and communities can work together to create tourism models that are both resilient and sustainable.

The Agenda includes:

Practical Approaches to Next-Generation Sustainable Tourism
~ Lessons...Looking forward to our online discussion tomorrow (Tuesday 10th of March at 7:00 UTC) with Masaru Takayama, Founding Chairperson, Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies, about how destinations, businesses, and communities can work together to create tourism models that are both resilient and sustainable.

The Agenda includes:

Practical Approaches to Next-Generation Sustainable Tourism
~ Lessons from Greece and the EU: Systems that Balance Environmental Conservation with Business ~

** Key Takeaways **
・The mechanism of Greece's "Climate Crisis Resilience Fee" and its impact on local communities.
・Concrete business models for biodiversity protection through tourism.
・Secrets for SMEs to balance sustainability and digitalization.
・Recommendations for Japanese destinations from a global "Smart Tourism" perspective.

To register, please use this form:
docs.1d5920f4b44b27a802bd77c4f0536f5a-gdprlock/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdF4qq25OTD7bNk7A…

For more details please visit
yamatogokoro.jp/event/59260/ (in Japanese) Show more

Looking forward to meet ECOCLUB members at ITB! Send me a message to arrange a meeting next week.

Migration is inextricably linked with Humanity and human civilization. Long before we created passports, Visas, scary border police, and coined terms like “diaspora”, people were already moving searching a better life. Three millenia ago In the Mediterranean, Phoenicians and Greeks created a network of homelands where citizens identities, loyalties and memories mixed and overlapped. That layered...Migration is inextricably linked with Humanity and human civilization. Long before we created passports, Visas, scary border police, and coined terms like “diaspora”, people were already moving searching a better life. Three millenia ago In the Mediterranean, Phoenicians and Greeks created a network of homelands where citizens identities, loyalties and memories mixed and overlapped. That layered sense of belonging is not so far from those who today feel equally “from” Melbourne and Messinia, Toronto and Tinos or Lagos and Athens (like the famous Antetokounmpo family). Migrants and their descendants preserve memories in the form of smells, recipes, lullabies, family jokes and old photographs. Today, academics use the term “Roots Tourism” (and synonyms such as Ancestral, Genealogy, Heritage, Diaspora, Nostalgia, Homecoming, Legacy, Ethnic and Sentimental Tourism) tourism to describe trips taken to places linked to one’s own or one’s family’s past, usually for emotional reasons rather than pure sightseeing. People may travel to find the house a grandparent left behind, the church where someone married, or the port where a distant relative boarded a ship for America or Australia. In doing so, they try to reconnect threads that were cut, by war, poverty, politics or simply by time. The visit can quietly change both sides: the visitor who finally sees where their story started, and the community that sees itself through the eyes of someone who belongs and does not belong at the same time. Italy and other European countries are now moving to formalize, better organize and support Roots Tourism also for the benefit of remote rural communities. The ECOCLUB Team is happy and honoured to participate as a Partner in a project co-funded by the European Union, called "Foster Competencies on Roots Tourism in VET Schools to Promote Sustainable Tourism and Destinations in Europe" and we will be regularly sharing progress updates of this exciting and - we believe - meaningful endeavour. Show more

ROOTS Tourism

ECOCLUB® is a green community covering travel, jobs, living and politics established in 1999.

I didn’t start ecotourism as a job — I started as a traveler who loved nature. Yesterday, visiting Lake Kerkini in Greece and seeing two amazing Dalmatian pelicans reminded me why I am so passionate about this work. Watching these beautiful birds, Europe’s largest pelicans, in their natural home moved me deeply. It brought back the feeling of being a tourist — curious, excited, and connected to...I didn’t start ecotourism as a job — I started as a traveler who loved nature. Yesterday, visiting Lake Kerkini in Greece and seeing two amazing Dalmatian pelicans reminded me why I am so passionate about this work. Watching these beautiful birds, Europe’s largest pelicans, in their natural home moved me deeply. It brought back the feeling of being a tourist — curious, excited, and connected to nature. Sometimes, as professionals, we get caught up in reports and plans, but we must never forget what it means to be a tourist who loves and respects the places we visit. Lake Kerkini is not just a lake — it’s a living example of how people can protect nature while inviting others to enjoy it. For me, ecotourism means being part of that balance: caring for the environment and sharing its wonders with others. If you work in this field or love to travel, remember to be a tourist at heart. That passion is what makes ecotourism truly special! Show more

Last week, I attended the final meeting of the CO-Green project in Toruń, Poland. As a project officer for Euracademy Association, I’ve been deeply involved in this initiative, which seeks to enhance public participation in local communities across Europe.
The CO-Green project, set to conclude in December 2024, aims to empower local communities to co-design and implement sustainable practices that...Last week, I attended the final meeting of the CO-Green project in Toruń, Poland. As a project officer for Euracademy Association, I’ve been deeply involved in this initiative, which seeks to enhance public participation in local communities across Europe.
The CO-Green project, set to conclude in December 2024, aims to empower local communities to co-design and implement sustainable practices that align with the values of the European Green Deal. At its core, this initiative recognizes that real change happens at the grassroots level. By actively involving individuals and communities, we can cultivate a culture of sustainability that is both practical and replicable.
Over the past two years, we’ve organized a series of events—15 in total—ranging from virtual webinars to on-site workshops and round tables. Each event has been a unique opportunity to engage local stakeholders and inspire community-driven action for the green transition. Up until November 2024, our team in Karditsa organized 13 events, bringing together around 300 participants eager to learn and collaborate.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been witnessing the transformation within the Karditsa community. After experiencing two devastating floods, residents were particularly open to discussions about climate change and how they could contribute to meaningful initiatives. We conducted a specialized 40-hour training for 20 participants, resulting in two comprehensive project proposals aimed at tackling local environmental challenges. The enthusiasm and commitment displayed by these individuals were truly inspiring.
At the meeting in Toruń, we had the chance to share our experiences and learn from others who have embarked on similar journeys. One group that stood out was Zielone Wrzosy, an intergenerational collective dedicated to saving their local forest from development projects. Their story resonated deeply with me. For over three and a half years, they have worked tirelessly to protect their neighborhood’s green spaces while creating inclusive programs for everyone to enjoy.
Listening to their journey was both humbling and invigorating. It reminded me of the importance of investing in our neighborhoods and working together for a common cause. The passion and dedication of Zielone Wrzosy reinforced my belief that when communities unite for a shared purpose—like protecting nature—the impact can be profound.

As we wrapped up our discussions in Toruń, I felt a renewed sense of hope for the future of the CO-Green project. This project has not only provided us with valuable methodologies but has also fostered connections among individuals who are committed to making a difference. In reflecting on this journey, I am reminded that every small action contributes to a larger movement toward sustainability. Together, we can create better understanding and appreciation for our environment, ensuring that future generations inherit a healthier planet. The CO-Green project is just the beginning; it’s an invitation for all of us to engage actively in shaping our communities and protecting our shared home. Learn more about the project www.euracademy.org/co-green/
PS. If you happen to be in Toruń, a beautiful UNESCO listed city, do not forget to visit the amazing museum of Nikola Copernicus to get a great understanding about the man and the amazing work he did in astronomy. muzeum.torun.pl/en/the-nicolaus-copernicus-house/ Show more

I was delighted to organize an ecotourism training in Litochoro (Mt. Olympus, Greece) last week for the dedicated young cohort members of Ecogenia. Established in 2021, Ecogenia aims to become a national youth corps, empowering young Greeks to contribute to climate action and building a resilient Greek society. Ecogenia aspires to enable young persons (aged 18-30) to participate in a year of...I was delighted to organize an ecotourism training in Litochoro (Mt. Olympus, Greece) last week for the dedicated young cohort members of Ecogenia. Established in 2021, Ecogenia aims to become a national youth corps, empowering young Greeks to contribute to climate action and building a resilient Greek society. Ecogenia aspires to enable young persons (aged 18-30) to participate in a year of service, leading localized change and addressing community needs across the 13 regions of Greece through a paid service term. A delegation from the California Conservation Corps was also present in the Olympus 2024 project, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in training young people for climate action.

Together, we explored the concept of a tourism that gives back to communities. We discussed specific examples of ecotourism projects being developed in Greece and how we can travel responsibly to protect our regions.

Our day concluded with an experiential workshop where participants divided into two groups and worked to design specific ecotourism projects for the Litochoro area. Through this creative process, we explored ways to make tourism in our area sustainable.

For more details please visit ecogenia.org/program-development/ Show more

I’m excited to attend #GSTC2023 in Antalya, Turkiye from May 9th-12th. Send me a message to arrange a meeting!
For more information: bit.ly/GSTC-2023

GSTC2023 Antalya - Global Sustainable Tourism Conference | 9-12 May 2023

GSTC2023 Sustainable Tourism Conference in Antalya, Türkiye This year's GSTC2023 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from the 9th to 12th…

Rural tourism contributes significantly to sustainable development. It can provide economic benefits to local communities, preserve local culture and traditions, promote environmental conservation, develop infrastructure, and diversify the tourism industry. Our COSME funded project aims to assist 190 small rural tourism SMEs in Europe. We have an open call for Assistance Service Providers that...Rural tourism contributes significantly to sustainable development. It can provide economic benefits to local communities, preserve local culture and traditions, promote environmental conservation, develop infrastructure, and diversify the tourism industry. Our COSME funded project aims to assist 190 small rural tourism SMEs in Europe. We have an open call for Assistance Service Providers that will support the SMEs. Find the full details at www.euroclusterruraltourism.eu/en/news/announcemen…
Deadline 21 April 2021. Send me a message if you wish to learn more and assist rural SMEs. Show more