Representatives from the public, private, and academic sectors from different regions of the world gathered in Sitges, Spain, to discuss the challenges facing the tourism sector as climate change advances.
As part of CLIMAR’s final conference, the project organized an open event in collaboration with Node Garraf, with the participation of representatives from the Government of Catalonia, the Barcelona Provincial Council, Sitges City Council, the Cerdà Foundation, Hotel Calípolis, and the Sitges Film Festival, alongside representatives from the universities involved in the project.
A global challenge such as the impact of climate change on the tourism sector, and vice versa, requires a joint and cross-cutting approach.
Public and private sectors advancing sustainability
Throughout the event, discussions focused on the role of public administrations in supporting a private sector that is increasingly engaged in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The director of Hotel Calípolis and a representative of the Sitges Film Festival presented the measures they have implemented over the years to reduce their carbon footprint. Public authorities, in turn, shared initiatives designed to support the sector—particularly smaller businesses—in improving sustainability and assessing the impact of these measures.
Universities driving knowledge and solutions
CLIMAR partner universities also contributed to this exchange of ideas and initiatives. Representatives from the National University of Cuyo (Argentina), University College Cork (Ireland), the Autonomous University of Chiriquí (Panama), and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria outlined the climate-related challenges facing tourism in their respective regions and how CLIMAR has helped address them—including the development of sustainability modules now integrated into university curricula and the creation of dedicated chairs on sustainable tourism.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for the private and academic sectors to exchange perspectives and identify future needs. Academic representatives highlighted the importance of this kind of dialogue for understanding sector demands and responding accordingly.
The outcomes of this exchange point to the value of sustained collaboration across sectors and regions as a foundation for more resilient, sustainable tourism models capable of responding to the evolving challenges posed by climate change.