The ecoRoute project was present at the European Maritime Day (EMD), which took place from 21 to 23 May 2025 in Cork, Ireland. EMD 2025 was organized by the European Commission, the Cork City Council, and the Irish Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
EMD is an annual event that brings together Europe’s maritime community to network, exchange ideas, and develop joint actions on maritime affairs, the marine environment, and the sustainable blue economy. The event features a range of activities, including talks, thematic sessions, and workshops organized by both stakeholders and the European Commission. It is primarily aimed at professionals from business, government, public organizations, NGOs, and academia, but also welcomes EU citizens with an interest in maritime issues.
The ecoRoute project was hosted on Friday, 23 May, at the European Stand, managed by CINEA and DG MARE, in a highly visible location where it was able to communicate its goals and results. By displaying a video presenting the project’s objectives and pilot sites and showcasing a 3D-printed model of the Prompt shipwreck in Madeira, the project had the opportunity to actively engage visitors and raise awareness about submerged cultural heritage in the Outermost Regions (ORs).
Another highlight of ecoRoute’s presence at the European Maritime Day in Cork was its participation in the panel “From Isolation to Innovation: Boosting Maritime and Coastal Tourism in Outermost Regions”. The workshop, held on Friday, 23 May 2025, was organized by the European project TWINNEDbySTARS.
The workshop focused on exploring the challenges and opportunities involved in developing innovative marine-based ecotourism in the EU Outermost Regions, with an emphasis on sustainable growth. Among the panel speakers were Christos Economou, Head of Unit at DG MARE A.3 of the European Commission; Anastasia Fourkiotou, archaeologist at Atlantis Consulting S.A. and ecoRoute project coordinator; and Paal Janson, representative of the Irish Marine Federation. The discussion was moderated by Álvaro Urdiales from European Boating Industry and partner in the TWINNEDbySTARS project.
The workshop also featured presentations of both the TWINNEDbySTARS and ecoRoute projects, followed by a panel discussion on how to unlock the ecotourism potential of the Outermost Regions through areas such as astro-tourism, natural heritage, and cultural identity.
ecoRoute’s presence at EMD 2025 strengthened its network and raised visibility and awareness, aiming to promote sustainable tourism and contribute to the development of the blue economy landscape.
