The “Handbook for Sustainable Tourism Observatories: Strategies, Governance and Implementation Guidelines” has been published. Developed within the framework of the Interreg Euro-MED Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories, this handbook provides a comprehensive framework to strengthen sustainable tourism governance and transform Sustainable Tourism Observatories (STOs) into proactive agents of change in the sector.
The handbook builds on shared knowledge and discussions from sessions organized by the main coordinators: Lazio Region (Italy), European University of Rome (Italy), and the El legado andalusí Foundation – Regional Ministry of Culture and Sport of Andalusia (Spain). These institutions, together with other European project partners, contributed their expertise to develop innovative approaches to data management, stakeholder engagement strategies, and policy integration practices. In this way, STOs can operate as strategic instruments in sustainable tourism governance.
The handbook is part of the broader Interreg Euro-MED Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories, integrating the Thematic Projects of the Sustainable Tourism Mission and providing a dynamic forum for exchange and debate. Managed by Lazio Region, with contributions from the European University of Rome and partners such as ASCAME and GTI, the network promotes collaborative data collection, analysis, and dissemination to support evidence-based decision-making.
The network’s mission aligns with major European and global sustainability frameworks, including the EU Transition Pathway for Tourism, the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism, and the upcoming EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy, ensuring that STOs evolve from monitoring tools into influential governance platforms capable of shaping, informing, and evaluating sustainable tourism policies.
Currently, the network includes 40 member institutions, including partnerships and associated partnerships from the former Interreg MED Program. Leveraging the multidisciplinary expertise of its members, the initiative aims to expand its reach and enhance its impact across Europe.