ECST Network Meeting 2026

Every two years, the network of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas (ECST) meets to exchange on the most pressing issues in sustainable tourism development for Protected Areas. In 2026, the network will meet in Asinara National Park, Sardinia, Italy.

Registration open!

Registrations will be open until 30th April.

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ECST network meeting 2026

• 26 – 28th of May 2026
• Stintino, Sardinia

In 1993, EUROPARC released the seminal publication ‘Loving them to Death’. Exploring the topic of (Sustainable) Tourism in Protected Areas. It kickstarted the development of the ECST, which to date is implemented in over 90 Protected Areas across Europe. With pressures ever growing, it’s time to look to the future: from loving them to death, to restoring Parks to life.

Overview of the programme*

*The detailed programme is still under development and will be shared soon

Workshops

1. Sustainable Tourism, an opportunity to strengthen cooperation across borders.
The workshop will focus on strengthening cross-border cooperation between Protected Areas, particularly in the integrated management of Natura 2000 sites and UNESCO MaB Biosphere Reserves. It aims to enhance shared governance, exchange best practices, and develop joint strategies to address biodiversity conservation, land-use pressures and sustainable development. We will dedicate special attention to transboundary Biosphere Reserves as models for coordinated management, community involvement, and alignment between EU, UNESCO, and local policies.

2. Tourism for regeneration: how sustainable tourism can contribute to revitalise our cultural heritage.
A workshop on innovative ways to revitalise abandoned public buildings within parks. We will share experiences in converting unused spaces into cultural, educational and tourism facilities, in line with environmental and landscape conservation priorities. The session will explore co-design tools and public-private partnerships, fostering financially viable and replicable strategies among park managers and local stakeholders.

3. Sustainable Tourism in PAs. Local traditions as an opportunity to foster tourism and local development.
A workshop exploring how local traditions can support tourism and foster local development. Using fishing tourism as a case study, the discussions will focus on participatory models and co-decision tools, such as co-management tables, which help strengthen dialogue and collaboration between fishermen, management authorities and institutions.

4. Active Tourism in Protected Areas. Challenges and opportunities.
This workshop will explore the opportunities and challenges of active tourism in Protected Areas, building on insights from the CONNECT project. Discussions will address seasonality, the impacts of tourism on nature and biodiversity, and strategies for effective collaboration between sports businesses and Protected Area managers.

5. Tourism & Biodiversity. Can Sustainable Tourism benefit nature?
This workshop will explore how tourism can support, rather than harm, biodiversity in Protected Areas, with a particular focus on Natura 2000 sites. Participants will discuss strategies to balance visitor experiences with conservation goals, share examples of nature-friendly tourism practices and examine how sustainable tourism can contribute to habitat protection, species preservation and local community engagement.

6. Businesses on the spot. What benefits and opportunities can EUROPARC and PAs offer to businesses engaged in ECST part 2?
This workshop will explore the benefits and opportunities that EUROPARC and Protected Areas can offer to businesses engaged in sustainable tourism, even when promoting business is not EUROPARC’s core mission. It will highlight strategies for collaboration, increased visibility and responsible growth.

7. The ECST part 3.  Building partnerships with tour operators.
This workshop will focus on fostering effective partnerships between PAs and tour operators within the ECST framework. The session will include examples of successful collaborations, tools for co-designing sustainable tourism packages, and approaches to ensure that partnerships deliver mutual benefits for both protected areas and tourism providers while safeguarding natural and cultural heritage.

8. The future of the ECST. An opportunity to discuss how the ECST should evolve to better fulfil its mission.
This workshop will provide a forum to reflect on the future of the ECST and explore how it can evolve to better fulfil its mission. Participants will consider the ECST methodology and current procedures exploring opportunities  for improvements and to strengthen the Charter’s impact. We will also consider ways to enhance collaboration between Protected Areas and stakeholders, and adapt tools and strategies to emerging challenges in conservation, tourism and community engagement.

Field visits

On Wednesday, 27 May, you will have the opportunity to visit one of two outstanding coastal Protected Areas of Sardinia — Asinara National Park or Porto Conte Regional Natural Park – and gain first-hand insight into how sustainable tourism is planned, managed and implemented in these sensitive environments.

The two options are mutually exclusive.

For participants extending their stay, an additional visit to Asinara National Park is scheduled for Saturday, 30 May.  

1. Field visit to Porto Conte Regional Natural Park

Guided excursion within the Porto Conte Regional Natural Park, focusing on terrestrial and coastal ecosystems and Protected Area management practices. The programme includes a visit to:

2. Field visit to Asinara Island

The excursion will take place within the Asinara National Park and will offer participants the opportunity to explore the island through one of the following indicative experiences. (The final organisation of the activity will be defined by the organisers). Please note that the number of participants for each experience is limited. First come, first served principle will apply. In case the experience you chose is already fully booked, we will contact you to allocate you to a different visit.

• “Pescaturismo”: Sea-based excursion and traditional fishing activities. A boat excursion along the coast of Asinara Island, including an introduction to traditional fishing practices and marine ecosystems. Lunch will be served on board and will feature authentic dishes from the local tradition, prepared with the fresh catch of the day. Difficulty level: low
• “Charter a vela”: Boat excursion and coastal exploration. A guided boat tour along the island’s coastline, focusing on landscapes, biodiversity and the marine protected area, with possible stops for observation and interpretation. Lunch on board is included and will be based on locally sourced fish products. Difficulty level: low
• “Escursione in fuoristrada”: Land-based excursion by off-road vehicle. A guided exploration of the island’s inland areas using off-road vehicles, with visits to key natural and historical sites. Lunch is included in the experience. Difficulty level: low / medium (uneven terrain, limited walking).

Biodiversity Festival (optional)

The Festival della Biodiversità, organized annually by Parco Nord Milano, promotes nature conservation and biodiversity through educational and public activities. The 20th edition will open on May 29–30, 2026, in Stintino, in collaboration with the Parco Nazionale dell’Asinara. The program includes a plenary conference presenting the Festival’s history and 2026 theme, thematic sessions on Asinara’s biodiversity and conservation efforts, and a guided excursion on the island of Asinara. The event combines scientific discussion, environmental awareness, and direct engagement with the natural heritage of the area.

Practical information

Where is the meeting venue?

• In Stintino in Le Tonnare di Stintino

 How to get there?

• By plane: you can fly into Alghero–Fertilia Airport (AHO), this is the closest option.  Alternatively, you can fly to Olbia.
• By boat: There are multiple ferries operating to Sardinia from major Italian ports (Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo, Piombino), Corsica (Ajaccio, Bastia, Bonifacio), France (Nice, Toulon), and Spain (Barcelona)

The main ways to get to Stintino from the airport, are as follows:

• Bus: More info on bus schedule will be added in due course.
• Taxi: Fares can be around €110 – €130.
• Private Transfers.
• Car rental.

When to arrive?

• The recommended day for travels is Monday 25th May.
• The network meeting will run from Tuesday 26th to Thursday 28th.
• From Friday 29th to Saturday 30th, the Park has organized a side optional event: the Biodiversity Festival, a public event open to all.

Where to lodge?

• The host have an agreement with the hotel Le Tonnare di Stintino, which is the venue of the meeting.
• A preferential delegate rate has been secured: €380 for four nights (25–28 May), including breakfast.
• As the hotel will open specifically for this event, reservations must be made by email only (not via the website).
• To benefit from the agreed rate, please mention EUROPARC when booking and send your request to: letonnare@saintjane.it.

We thank the Asinara National Park for kindly hosting this networking event.

We also thank the Regione Sardegna, the Rete Metropolitana Nord Sardegna, the Stintino Municipality, the Porto Torres Municipality and the University of Sassari, for their support and involvement.

You can explore previous editions of the ECST Meeting here.