The ecoRoute project was featured in the latest episode of the Euronews Ocean documentary series, which aired on 29 July 2025, a production in partnership with the European Commission. The episode explores how Europe’s Outermost Regions in the Atlantic are using sustainable, science-driven eco-tourism to raise awareness and protect the ocean. It draws attention on the TWINNEDbySTARS project that is promoting responsible whale-watching led by scientists, and the ecoRoute efforts to enhance sustainable tourism with a focus on underwater cultural and natural heritage.
The episode captured the ecoRoute team and tourists in Faial Island (Azores), one of the project’s regions alongside Madeira and Martinique, during hands-on activities that embody the ecoRoute approach of connecting people to history and nature.
Euronews followed the ecoRoute team underwater to the Main 19th century shipwreck that offers a window into the island’s maritime past. Tourists, accompanied by underwater archaeologists and marine biologists, participated in a guided snorkeling tour, learning about the wreck’s historical context and the surrounding marine life. The filming continued at another dive site where old cannons and anchors are now thriving with marine life and have transformed into artificial reefs. This dual role of the underwater sites as both ecological habitat and cultural landmark embodies the ecoRoute’s approach that accessibility and preservation can go hand-in-hand through responsibly and sustainably managed eco-tourism.
Beyond the water, the documentary also captured ecoRoute’s beach clean-up initiatives, where locals and tourists came together to collect plastic waste from the shoreline — a simple act yet with big impact of environmental responsibility. The broader ecoRoute approach to foster environmental awareness and sustainable tourism training includes similar activities such as campaigns engaging local communities and visitors and establishment of Knowledge Awareness Centers in the 3 regions.
The Ocean episode featuring ecoRoute is now available in several languages including Portuguese and French on the Euronews website, ensuring its message reaches a wide global audience.
Watch the full episode here: https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/07/29/how-atlantic-islands-are-proving-tourism-can-help-the-ocean
