On 27th of September, in celebration of World Tourism Day, OMNIS highlights its key role in promoting sustainable tourism in the UMCN (Unione Montana del Catria e Nerone) and surrounding territories in Italy, as well as Split-Dalmatia County in Croatia. World Tourism Day, endorsed by the United Nations, underscores tourism’s critical role in driving economic, social, and environmental development. OMNIS, funded by the European Union’s Interreg Italy-Croatia programme, focuses on developing inclusive and sustainable tourism itineraries that benefit both coastal and inland regions.
The OMNIS project is dedicated to making tourism accessible and enjoyable for all, particularly individuals with special needs, such as the visually impaired and those traveling with guide dogs. By fostering collaboration between tourism operators in Italy and Croatia, OMNIS promotes the creation of sustainable tourism packages that encourage responsible travel practices in both popular destinations and lesser-known areas.
Over the past year, OMNIS has made significant progress in both UMCN and Split-Dalmatia County. The project has developed training materials for local tourism operators, created guidelines for building accessible tourism packages, and introduced a method for co-creating sustainable and inclusive itineraries. Additionally, exchange visits between the two regions have helped strengthen collaboration and allowed for the testing and validation of the itineraries and packages developed as part of the project.
OMNIS not only promotes sustainable tourism but also sets a model for other regions in Europe. Its approach can be adapted to other niche tourism markets, such as travel for the elderly or people with disabilities, making it a valuable blueprint for future tourism initiatives.