25/07/2025

“The Future of Marinas: Designing the Marinas of the Future” 

On 18 July 2025, the ADRIJOROUTES project was presented at the prestigious Blue Marina Awards, held at the Marina di Pescara (Becci Pavilion), one of the Adriatic’s most dynamic and innovative marinas. The event, titled "The Future of Marinas: Designing the Marinas of the Future", brought together key national stakeholders to discuss innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in the field of recreational ports. 

Representing the ADRIJOROUTES project, Guido Vettorel from the Central Adriatic Ports Authority (Lead Partner) took part in the high-level thematic talks, sharing the project’s mission and actions focused on enhancing maritime cultural heritage, cross-border tourism development, and port-city identity. The Secretary General, Salvatore Minervino, was present and took part in the opening remarks.

A National Platform for Sustainability and Innovation in Nautical Tourism 

The Blue Marina Awards serve as a benchmark for recognizing excellence in the management of Italian tourist ports. The Pescara edition featured a rich agenda of panel discussions, addressing: 

• Environmental sustainability and marine innovation 
• Energy transition and renewable solutions 
• Smart tourism and digital infrastructure 
• Accessibility and inclusive design 
• Cultural valorisation of the sea and coastal identity 

During the roundtable dedicated to the cultural value of marinas, Mr. Vettorel, together with Romina Nespeca from Università Politecnica delle Marche (LP External Assistance), underlined how ADRIJOROUTES is working to reconnect port areas with their surrounding cities through digital storytelling, thematic routes, and inclusive visitor experiences, all rooted in the maritime identity of the Adriatic. 

Reimagining the Role of Ports 

The contribution of ADRIJOROUTES was particularly appreciated for its cross-border dimension, linking Italy and Croatia through a shared commitment to sustainable and resilient maritime cultural destinations. The project was highlighted as a concrete example of how EU cooperation programmes can actively support the future vision of marinas as hubs of innovation, culture, and community engagement. 

The event concluded with a local tasting session, celebrating the deep connection between the port, the territory, and its food and wine traditions—another core aspect of the ADRIJOROUTES narrative that ties together people, places, and heritage. 

We thank the Blue Marina Awards team for the invitation and look forward to further collaborations in the shared pursuit of a greener, smarter, and more inclusive Adriatic.