SUSDEST-NET

Sustainable Destinations Black Sea Network

The Black Sea Basin faces environmental degradation, overdependence on tourism, and fragmented governance, leading to unsustainable resource use and unequal regional development. The project promotes ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)-based sustainable tourism through Destination Management Committees, AI-powered monitoring tools, and collaborative platforms that transform destinations into competitive, resilient, and environmentally responsible areas across the region.

Road Ahead

• Establishment of Destination Management Committees and development of a Common Sustainable Tourism Policy
• Development of Sustainable Destination Strategies and Action Plans for participating destinations
• Deployment of AI-based tools to provide real-time data, monitoring, and recommendations supporting destination sustainability
• Creation of a Sustainability Awarding Scheme introducing a Sustainable Destination Label to recognize and promote exemplary tourism destinations
• Knowledge sharing and networking through the Sustainable Destination Education and Collaboration Platform, which integrates an Open Educational Resource, a Living Lab, and a best practice repository.

Partnership

• Lead partner: Municipality of Kavala
• Partner 2: Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities
• Partner 3: Democritus University of Thrace-School of Management Science and Accounting-Special Account for Research Funds
• Partner 4: Chisinau City Hall
• Partner 5: Limanu Municipality
• Partner 6: Üsküdar Urban Services Trade and Industry Joint Stock Organization (Kentaş)