EU-Project
PEOPLE OVER TOURISM: community-centred solutions to address overtourism in living places
An Erasmus+ project for more sustainable tourism
Tourism can bring important social, cultural and economic benefits, but when too many visitors concentrate on the same destinations, it can also put pressure on local communities, housing, natural resources and ecosystems. At the same time, many smaller towns and less-visited territories remain outside the main tourist flows. The European Commission refers to this as "unbalanced tourism growth” and recommends, among other measures, spreading tourism more widely, developing off-season offers and creating more diverse visitor experiences.
People over Tourism addresses this challenge by exploring how tourism can become more balanced and regenerative. Rather than simply promoting alternative destinations or relying on sustainability labels, the project focuses on making less-visited places attractive, meaningful and engaging for visitors. Inspired by the New European Bauhaus, it connects sustainability with aesthetics, cultural identity and social inclusion.
The project works on three interconnected levels:
- Building skills: Adult educators and local professionals will develop practical knowledge and tools for creating tourism experiences that are environmentally responsible, socially inclusive and attractive. Topics include regenerative tourism, "edible city” experiences, local food and heritage, agroecology and agritourism, as well as sustainable events and festivals.
- Engaging seniors: Older people will be involved as co-creators, hosts and cultural mediators, particularly in small towns and less-visited territories. A co-created digital course will explore local food traditions, agroecology and agritourism, as well as arts-based approaches to place, supporting active ageing, social inclusion and community resilience.
- Strengthening local learning centres: The project will develop practical guidelines for local learning centres and territorial actors such as municipalities, libraries, museums, NGOs and tourism organisations. These resources will support them in integrating regenerative tourism and sustainability-oriented cultural activities into local governance and community life.
By bringing together professional learning, local knowledge, culture, food and environmental sustainability, People over Tourism aims to contribute to a more balanced distribution of tourism and to new ways of connecting visitors with less-visited places and the communities that live there.
Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible.
