Toural Project

05/02/2026

🌊✨ New Challenges for Underwater Nature & Cultural Heritage Tourism ✨🌊

We are proud to be part of the AMU – UNESCO Chair International Conference held in Aix-en-Provence between 29th of January - 1st of February.

A highlight of the conference was the TOURAL Special Session focusing on the development of Cultural & Creative Tourism in Rural and Remote Areas, Empowered by Multidimensional Models of Tourism Growth.

The session brought together EU-funded projects TOURAL, SECreTOUR, CULTURALITY and CROCUS, showcasing innovative approaches to:
🔹 Sustainable and balanced tourism growth
🔹 Creative tourism and intangible cultural heritage
🔹 Bottom-up, stakeholder-driven development
🔹 Cross-border and macro-regional cooperation

💡 Key takeaways included:
✔️ Quality tourism over quantity
✔️ Culture, heritage and art as valuable tourism products
✔️ Strong stakeholder engagement as a success factor
✔️ The need for shared policy solutions across regions

The Cluster of Cultural & Creative Tourism projects also presented their work in a dedicated Cluster Corner, highlighting how collaboration can shape the future of sustainable cultural tourism.

📸 Check the highlights from the sessions, posters, and inspiring discussions here: https://tinyurl.com/49tbybnx


EU Science & Innovation RuralTour Europe International Centre for Black Sea Studies Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC Skopelos Island Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης Kutsurub rural region - Toural Visit Alonissos Δήμος Αλοννήσου ZADRA NOVA - Agencija za razvoj Zadarske županije Provincia Di Teramo Aix-Marseille Université Atlantis Consulting Vicky Drouga

12/01/2026

🌊 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE – FULL PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED 🌊

''New Challenges for Underwater Nature and Cultural Heritage Tourism during the Ocean Decade''

The TOURAL Project proudly presents the full programme of this international conference, hosted by the AMU UNESCO Chair in Maritime and Coastal Archaeology, in collaboration with the UNESCO 2001 Convention Secretariat.

🚀Join researchers, professionals, and policymakers as they engage in high-level discussions on the future of underwater natural and cultural heritage tourism during the Ocean Decade.

📄 Conference details👉https://tinyurl.com/4bwprvme

📅 Full programme available here 👉 https://tinyurl.com/mwk4pbt6



RuralTour Europe International Centre for Black Sea Studies EU Science & Innovation Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC Skopelos Island Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης Kutsurub rural region - Toural Visit Alonissos ZADRA NOVA - Agencija za razvoj Zadarske županije Provincia Di Teramo Aix-Marseille Université

24/12/2025

💡 TOURAL is sharing knowledge with young people!

On December 23, within the framework of the TOURAL Project, we held the flashmob “Treasures Nearby” for students of grades 9–11 at the Parutynskyi Lyceum 📍 (Kutsurub Village Council, Mykolaiv District).

Through the “Treasures Nearby” flashmob, students discover local history, culture, and tourism potential — and learn to see their village through the eyes of a traveler. ✨

🌿 Our goal is to strengthen youth awareness of the value of cultural and natural heritage, and inspire them to recognize the tourism potential of their community.

📌 Stay tuned for the next meeting in the first half of 2026!



Kutsurub rural region - Toural Кінбурн RuralTour Europe Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης International Centre for Black Sea Studies EU Science & Innovation Skopelos Island Visit Alonissos ZADRA NOVA - Agencija za razvoj Zadarske županije Aix-Marseille Université Provincia Di Teramo

19/12/2025

🎄✨ TOURAL wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

05/12/2025

🌍 TOURAL at the 14th EUSDR Annual Forum!

We were proud to see TOURAL showcased in Sarajevo during the 14th EUSDR Annual Forum (3–6 Nov 2025). CPMR - Conference of peripheral maritime regionspresented the project in key sessions on sustainable tourism, cultural heritage and regional cooperation.

From the PA3 Steering Group Meeting to the “Eco-Culture in Motion” event, TOURAL’s work gained strong visibility among partners across the Danube Region.

👉 Read more: https://tinyurl.com/25t5a6be



RuralTour Europe Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC EU Science & Innovation Skopelos Island International Centre for Black Sea Studies Kutsurub rural region - Toural ZADRA NOVA - Agencija za razvoj Zadarske županije Aix-Marseille Université Provincia Di Teramo

01/12/2025

🚀We’re happy to share highlights from the Black Sea Stakeholder Conference 2025, where we participated together with our partner Stavros Kalognomos from the CPMR - Conference of peripheral maritime regions (CPMR).

🔹In the session “Black Sea Today and Tomorrow: Ocean Literacy for Marine Ecosystems Resilience,” we discussed why ocean literacy and strong community awareness are essential for protecting our marine environment.

🔹This annual conference is an important meeting point for everyone working in the Black Sea maritime and blue economy sectors, bringing people together to exchange ideas and build a more sustainable future.

Read full article here👉 https://tinyurl.com/3wk8ypwe




RuralTour Europe Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης International Centre for Black Sea Studies Visit Alonissos EU Science & Innovation Skopelos Island Kutsurub rural region - Toural ZADRA NOVA - Agencija za razvoj Zadarske županije Aix-Marseille Université Provincia Di Teramo

01/12/2025

🚀 We’re delighted to share highlights from the international scientific-practical conference “Cultural Heritage and Natural Resource Potential in Tourism and Community Development: Scientific Principles, Practices, Collaboration,” held on 21 November.

ℹ️ Our colleague Viktoriia Kiptenko 🎓, Expert in Sustainable Tourism, presented the international TOURAL project and showcased our team’s ongoing work in strengthening the tourism potential of the Kutsurub community.

🙂 Proud to contribute to meaningful discussions on sustainable tourism, community development, and the smart use of cultural and natural resources.

🌍 TOURAL на міжнародній конференції!

Сьогодні ділимося чудовою новиною з науково-практичної конференції
«Культурна спадщина та природно-ресурсний потенціал у розвитку туризму та громад: наукові засади, практики, колаборація», що відбулася 21 листопада.

Наша колега, Вікторія Кіптенко (Viktoriia Kiptenko),
🎓 експертка в галузі сталого туризму,
представила міжнародний проєкт TOURAL та поділилася напрацюваннями команди щодо розвитку туристичного потенціалу Куцурубської громади.

У своїй презентації Вікторія розповіла про:
✔️ модель підтримки туристичного розвитку сільських і віддалених регіонів;
✔️ досвід впровадження Living Lab у Куцурубській громаді;
✔️ можливості, які відкриває співпраця між громадами, дослідниками, представниками індустрії та культурної спадщини;
✔️ ключові напрями сталого туризму, які TOURAL допомагає розвивати — від культурного та креативного до підводного й гастрономічного туризму.

Проєкт Toural Project реалізується у співпраці з партнерами з восьми країн та фінансується Європейським Союзом через програму Horizon Europe. Його мета — створити інноваційну модель сталого туристичного розвитку для регіонів Адріатично-Іонічного та Чорноморського макрорегіонів.

Ми пишаємося роботою нашої команди та тим, що український досвід відновлення туризму в громадах звучить на міжнародному рівні 💙💛

#НЕЦУ

27/11/2025

📢TOURAL participated at the RECIRCLE Info Day in Zadar!

The event welcomed more than 100 participants, featured a creative children’s exhibition on recycling, and highlighted key EU-funded projects supporting sustainability and regional growth.

A meaningful chance to raise visibility and connect with the community.

Read more on our website👉 https://tinyurl.com/mrxhuysw



RuralTour Europe ZADRA NOVA - Agencija za razvoj Zadarske županije Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC Skopelos Island Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης International Centre for Black Sea Studies Visit Alonissos EU Science & Innovation Kutsurub rural region - Toural Provincia Di Teramo Aix-Marseille Université CPMR Balkan & Black Sea Commission CPMR - Conference of peripheral maritime regions

25/11/2025

🌊 Proud moments!

We were proud to take part in the cleanup in Romania, joining local partners and volunteers to help restore the coastal environment of the Black Sea basin. It was a meaningful reminder that caring for nature is essential for building truly sustainable tourism.

👏A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who participated! Let’s continue working together for cleaner coasts and more resilient rural communities.

Read the full article 👉 https://tinyurl.com/y7emsmmt



Iacob Cu Drag Din Sulina ARBDD - Administratia Rezervatiei Biosferei Delta Dunarii RuralTour Europe EU Science & Innovation Visit Alonissos Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης Skopelos Island International Centre for Black Sea Studies Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC Kutsurub rural region - Toural Balkan Heritage Foundation CPMR Balkan & Black Sea Commission ZADRA NOVA - Agencija za razvoj Zadarske županije

05/11/2025

📢The TOURAL project proudly participated in IKUWA 8 (The 8th International Congress for Underwater Archaeology), held in 📌Oostende, Belgium (13–17 October 2025) a global meeting point for experts in underwater archaeology and marine heritage.

🔹During the session “Unlocking Potential, Preserving the Environment – Contributions of Underwater Cultural Heritage to Engage Smart and Sustainable Tourism,” our partner Polyvios Raxis from Atlantis Consulting S.A. presented TOURAL’s vision:
➡️ Empowering Sustainable Tourism Growth of Rural and Remote Areas Leveraging Cultural Heritage in Multidimensional Tourism Modelling.

Read full article👉https://tinyurl.com/mr4cxaxd



RuralTour Europe International Centre for Black Sea Studies Visit Alonissos EU Science & Innovation Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC Skopelos Island Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης Kutsurub rural region - Toural Agencija za razvoj Zadarske županije ZADRA NOVA Provincia Di Teramo Aix-Marseille Université

31/10/2025

📢TOURAL at the Beyond Borders Workshop – Lugano, Switzerland 🇨🇭

🔹From 22 to 24 October 2025, the TOURAL project took part in the Beyond Borders Workshop on Cross-Border Collaboration and Macro-Regions for Cultural Tourism, organized by Secretour EU Project,, the UNESCO Chair at Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), and the UNESCO Chair at Università di Genova.

🔹Representing TOURAL, Vicky Drouga from Atlantis Consulting S.A. presented the project’s vision, focusing on Underwater Cultural Heritage, Silver Tourism, and the Blue Economy. These topics captured great interest among participants, researchers, and cultural tourism professionals.

Read the full article 👉 https://tinyurl.com/5n7r65sb



RuralTour Europe Visit Alonissos Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC EU Science & Innovation Skopelos Island International Centre for Black Sea Studies Kutsurub rural region - Toural Agencija za razvoj Zadarske županije ZADRA NOVA Aix-Marseille Université Provincia Di Teramo