Tourism Breakfasts | The Tourism Breakfasts highlight the potential of the blue economy as a driver of a sustainable and competitive tourism model in Catalonia
Experts agree on the potential of the Catalan coastline, marine biodiversity and nautical activities as engines of diversification and tourism innovation.
Foment del Treball and CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality, and Gastronomy held the eighth edition of the Tourism Breakfasts. They focused on the strategic potential of the blue economy and its contribution to the development of a more sustainable, innovative and responsible tourism model in Catalonia. The event brought together representatives from the business, academic and institutional fields to discuss the challenges and opportunities that the sea offers as a vector of tourism competitiveness.
The roundtable was moderated by Dr. Eugeni Osácar, Academic Director of the UB–CETT Chair in Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy, who emphasized that “blue tourism in Catalonia must be a model that creates value without damaging the essence of the territory, based on genuine sustainability, authenticity, the quality of experiences, and benefits for local coastal communities.”
Sílvia Romero, Head of Economic Promotion and Tourism at Palamós City Council, highlighted that “considering the sea as a strategic resource for Palamós allows us to develop activities such as fishing, boating, cruising or research, strengthening the territory’s identity and preserving maritime heritage.” According to Romero, this comprehensive approach “drives quality tourism and promotes a more balanced, competitive and resilient model.”
In this regard, Cristina Caparrós, CEO and founder of Cap a Mar, defended the need to fully integrate the fishing sector into blue economy initiatives: “It is essential to incorporate fisheries into innovative projects to generate added value for products and to encourage generational renewal.”
Pablo Bou, General Director of BlueNetCat, noted that “at BlueNetCat we are committed to innovation and knowledge transfer as a fundamental element for improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the maritime tourism sector,” underscoring research, technology, and collaboration as key pillars of the blue economy.
Miquel Gotanegra, President of Foment’s Tourism Committee, closed the event by stressing that “tourism will either be sustainable or it won’t be,” and underlined the need to continue investing in spaces that connect citizens with the coastline and highlight natural and cultural heritage: “Seafront promenades and coastal paths are key assets for diversifying the offer and creating new experiences. The Camí de Mar project is a paradigmatic example and deserves our full support.” Gotanegra emphasized that the blue economy “is innovation, diversification and cross-sector cooperation,” offering the opportunity to reduce seasonality and strengthen territorial cohesion by bringing the benefits of tourism to all regions.
With this event, Foment and CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy underscored that the Catalan coastline, ports, marine biodiversity and nautical activities can become drivers of attraction and, at the same time, vectors of sustainability and innovation. Participants agreed on the need to continue building alliances between administrations, companies and local communities to unlock the full potential of the blue economy as a tool for social, economic and environmental progress.
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A space for strategic debate and knowledge
The Tourism Breakfasts are meetings in which we address topics related to the development of tourism, hospitality and gastronomy. Their goal is to provide an ideal space that fosters networking, the exchange of experiences and the promotion of initiatives that benefit the sector. Led by Foment del Treball and CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy, these sessions promote a responsible, sustainable and competitive tourism model.
