19/12/2025

In December, the Biennale della Sostenibilità 2025 came to a close with a high-level international conference in Venice, marking an important milestone for the ADRIJOROUTES project, funded by the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme.

The final conference, titled “Smart and Sustainable Tourism: Impacts, Approaches, Solutions” took place on Friday, 5 December 2025, at the Aula Magna Tolentini of IUAV University of Venice. The event was organized by the Venice Sustainability Foundation (VSF) in collaboration with the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority, a partner of ADRIJOROUTES, and brought together institutions, experts, and stakeholders from across Europe.

A Pan-European Dialogue on the Future of Tourism

The conference offered a valuable opportunity for open dialogue on the current and future challenges of tourism, with a specific focus on smart, innovative, and sustainable models—key themes at the heart of the ADRIJOROUTES project.

Opening remarks were delivered by:
•    Benno Albrecht, Rector of IUAV University of Venice
•    Massimiliano De Martin, Councillor for Urban Planning, Private Construction and Environment of the Municipality of Venice
•    Stefano Sisto, Director of Tourism and Territorial Marketing of the Veneto Region

Their contributions set the stage for a structured discussion on how cities, ports, and destinations can respond to tourism pressures while fostering economic development and environmental sustainability.

Three Sessions, One Shared Vision

The conference programme was structured around three thematic sessions:
1.    Impacts – Looking at the World Through the Lens of Tourism
 This session explored the social, environmental, and economic impacts of tourism, emphasizing the need for data-driven and responsible decision-making.
2.    Approaches – Cities as Laboratories for Smart, Innovative and Sustainable Tourism
 Speakers presented cities as testing grounds for new governance models, digital tools, and sustainable tourism strategies, reinforcing the role of urban and port areas as key innovation hubs.
3.    Solutions – Proposals from VSF Members for Smart and Sustainable Tourism

The final session focused on concrete solutions proposed by VSF members. Among the contributions, Maria Sol Scanferla from the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority highlighted the adoption of innovative digital tools to improve accessibility and the use of port systems—an approach fully aligned with ADRIJOROUTES’ objectives of enhancing sustainable maritime and coastal tourism.

Circular Economy and Knowledge Sharing

At the conclusion of the conference, VSF presented its new publication “Venezia città circolare,” developed in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group. The report promotes the circular economy as a strategic framework for urban development and tourism management, reinforcing Venice’s role as a living laboratory for sustainability. While currently available only in Italian, the publication represents an important knowledge asset for cities facing similar challenges across Europe.
ADRIJOROUTES: Connecting Routes, Ports and Sustainable Tourism

The conference confirmed the relevance of ADRIJOROUTES as a platform for sharing approaches and solutions that connect ports, cultural routes, and tourism destinations across the Adriatic-Ionian area. The active involvement of the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority demonstrated how port authorities can play a strategic role in supporting smart tourism, digital innovation, and sustainable accessibility.
As ADRIJOROUTES moves forward, the outcomes of this event will contribute to strengthening cross-border cooperation and shaping more resilient and sustainable tourism models for the Adriatic region.