Sustainability news June n. 5
June 2026
Reseach Office: Sustainability news, Sustainability news 2026
News from Italy
Crossing the threshold: the Pantheon brings ‘slow tourism’ into Rome’s churches with guided tours and concerts
The Diocese of Rome, in collaboration with the Religious Buildings Fund (FEC) and Orpheo Global Visitor Solutions, is launching Oltre la Soglia (crossing the threshold), a sustainable tourism initiative inviting visitors to explore Rome’s spiritual and cultural heritage through slow-paced tours. The Pantheon acts as a starting point for exploring 16 historic churches, enriching the experience with guided tours and sacred music concerts.
Umbria’s Trasimeno Cycleway wins Cycle Tourism Oscar 2026: introducing Italy’s most beautiful routes
The Trasimeno cycleway in Umbria has won the 2026 Cycle Tourism Oscar, honouring its accessible and sustainable route. The event highlighted the primary role played by slow and sustainable tourism in regional development.
2026 Holiday trends: Italian tourism shifts towards authentic and sustainable experiences
In 2026, tourism in Italy is shifting towards authentic and sustainable experiences, with growing demand for engagement with local culture and a slower pace of life. Short breaks distributed throughout the year, combined with technological innovations enabling custom holidays, are shaping a more mindful form of tourism focusing on well-being.
‘E-Bike Evolution’ corporate museum opens in Santarcangelo di Romagna
The “E-Bike Evolution” corporate museum in Santarcangelo di Romagna explores the evolution of two-wheeled transport, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Offering an immersive and educational experience, it promotes cycle tourism and slow tourism and connects visitors directly with e-bike production.
Fort of Gavi restyled with a focus on sustainability. Welcome to the 400th birthday party
The Fort of Gavi, in Piedmont, is celebrating its 400th anniversary with a restoration project promoting sustainable tourism. Thanks to private funding and Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the historic buildings have been restored and accessibility improved with lifts and stairlifts. Technological innovation and multilingual signage now enhance the visitor experience, heralding a new era for the fortified complex.
Stintino, ‘from a holiday resort to a village welcoming visitors all year round’
The Stintino travelling tourism festival promotes slow and sustainable tourism, helping distribute tourist numbers more evenly throughout the year in Sardinia. The event includes outdoor activities and workshops showcasing local culture, demonstrating the island’s appeal as a year-round destination.
Six foals to replace lawn-maintenance machines in the Venice area
At the Val Grande Nature Reserve in Bibione, six foals are replacing mechanical mowers in maintaining 10 hectares of meadows, promoting ecological regeneration and sustainable tourism. This project, part of the European Interreg Central Europe programme, also includes beehives to encourage pollinators plus educational activities for visitors.
Luxury hotels shine a spotlight on environmental sustainability on Mediterranean Day
In honour of Mediterranean Day, luxury hotels around the Mediterranean are committing to protecting marine ecosystems. Projects such as Bluefishers in Sicily and #MeliaForTheOceans demonstrate the importance of high-end tourism in safeguarding biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices.
Electric jet skis and green shipyards: the future of boating takes centre stage
Lake Como has hosted an event bringing together institutions, businesses and universities to promote electric and sustainable boating. Innovative projects presentations and electric vessel test drives highlighted the importance of partnership between academia and industry for sustainable lake tourism.
News from around the world
The Americas
Argentina
Maimará, the world’s best tourist village: UN award recognises this gem in northern Argentina
Maimará, in the Quebrada de Humahuaca valley, has been awarded for its ability to combine the protection of cultural and natural heritage with sustainable development. The village proves how showcasing local culture and traditions can create an authentic and sustainable tourist experience.
Colombia
Work at Punta Astilleros now 70% complete and set to boost tourism development in Piojó
Punta Astilleros, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, is being transformed into a sustainable tourism hub thanks to a project featuring environment-friendly walkways and eco facilities. The initiative aims to showcase the natural landscape and create economic opportunities for local communities while promoting responsible tourism.
Dominican Republic
Forest conservation creates jobs: the Saltos de Jima ecotourism model
In the Dominican Republic, ecotourism in the Saltos de Jima Natural Monument reserve is creating jobs for local communities, thanks to initiatives supported by the World Bank. This model promotes forest conservation and sustainable economic development by training young people as nature guides and improving tourism infrastructure.
Mexico
In Oaxaca, local communities and UNESCO are working together to create more liveable cities and promote sustainable tourism
Communities in Oaxaca, in collaboration with UNESCO and other organisations, are compiling an inventory of intangible cultural heritage in order to incorporate living heritage into urban planning. This project aims to promote sustainable tourism by showcasing local traditions and directly involving local craftspeople and residents.
Asia
China
China clamps down on tourism in Antarctica, proposing fines of up to one million yuan
China is introducing a law to regulate tourism in Antarctica, requiring mandatory permits and penalties for violations. This initiative aims to protect the continent’s fragile ecosystem and ensure the safety of expeditions, in line with the Antarctic Treaty.
India
Telangana launches Yuva Tourism Clubs to introduce students to cultural heritage
Telangana’s Department of Tourism has launched the Yuva Tourism Clubs and Telangana Darshini programmes to raise awareness of the State’s cultural and environmental heritage among students. The initiative aims to promote responsible tourism through educational activities and visits to historic sites and ecotourism destinations.
Meghalaya backs community-led tourism and infrastructure to boost visitor numbers
The Indian state of Meghalaya is promoting a sustainable tourism model through the Meghalaya Homestay Mission programme, incentivising the development of accommodation run by local families. The initiative aims to develop 3000 new facilities by 2028, creating over 6000 jobs. The plan also includes investment in infrastructure and ecotourism trails, aiming to combine economic development with environmental protection and involvement of local communities.
Chhattisgarh launches Hornbill Safari in the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve to promote conservation and community-led tourism
Chhattisgarh is launching the Hornbill Safari in the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, combining conservation of the Malabar hornbill with development of ecotourism and support for tribal livelihoods. The project aims to protect biodiversity and create job opportunities for local young people as nature guides.
Kazakhstan
Pearls of Tian Shan: exploring the natural wonders of the Kolsai Lakes National Park
The Kolsai Lakes National Park, at the foot of Mount Tian Shan, is an example of sustainable ecotourism in Kazakhstan. With its alpine landscapes and well-preserved ecosystems, it offers trekking routes among lakes and coniferous forests, promoting local culture and Kazakh hospitality.
Europe
Via Querinissima, the ‘stockfish route’, is now a Council of Europe Cultural Route
The Via Querinissima, which retraces the historic journey of the Venetian merchant Pietro Querini, has been recognised as a Cultural Route by the Council of Europe. This initiative promotes slow and sustainable cultural tourism, showcasing historical heritage and culinary traditions through international collaboration.
France
Festi’Rail 81: the railway heritage festival returns, combining tourism, nature and local heritage promotion
The Festi'Rail festival in Brassac is celebrating its second edition, promoting sustainable tourism by showcasing local railway heritage. The event aims to transform the old Castres–Murat-sur-Vèbre railway line into ecotourism routes, strengthening community ties and promoting sustainable transport in the Hautes Terres d’Oc.
‘Every village, every path and every monument tells a story’: a little corner of paradise in the Aube receives a green label
The Othe-Armance area, in the Grand Est region of France, has been awarded bronze-level Green Destinations certification in 2026. This award recognises commitment to sustainable tourism celebrating biodiversity, historical heritage and involvement of local communities while promoting slow and authentic tourism.
Spain
ContexTO | From growth to value: the Valencian Community’s new tourism model
The Valencian Community is transforming its tourism model to create economic, social and regional value, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. The aim is to diversify the offering, reduce seasonality and improve tourist flow management, focusing on residents’ quality of life and partnership between public and private sectors.
Segovia has a Versailles, Provence and Lapland of its own: the new tourism campaign
The province of Segovia is launching a campaign to promote sustainable tourism, showcasing its natural and cultural heritage. By comparing its locations with famous international destinations, the initiative aims to strengthen local identity and offer authentic experiences all year round.
From power plant to natural space: Barcelona is restoring 12 hectares of biodiversity and one kilometre of beach
The environmental restoration project in Cubelles, Catalonia, is transforming the former Foix thermal power station into a 12-hectare nature reserve. The initiative, involving the controlled demolition and recycling of 93% of the materials, aims to restore one kilometre of coastline and promote biodiversity by planting native species and protecting local wildlife.
La Adrada opens a pump track and cycle station to promote sustainable tourism in the Tiétar Valley
La Adrada, in Spain, has opened a pump track and a cycle station as part of the EU-funded Tourism Sustainability Plan. These facilities promote low-emission transport and sports tourism, offering innovative services such as e-bike charging and bike hire, supporting economic and environmental development in the Tiétar Valley.
Oceania
Australia
Record investment to protect the Great Barrier Reef and revive ecotourism in Queensland
The Queensland Government has announced an investment plan worth over 330 million dollars to improve water quality and reduce agricultural run-off, protecting the Great Barrier Reef. At the same time, funding has been earmarked to expand national parks and develop ecotourism infrastructure, in line with the Destination 2045 strategy.
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