The INTERCOSTAS “SUSTAINABLE COASTAL TOURISM” project responds to several problems related to growing social inequality and the imminent effects of climate change on the planet.

According to data from the World Tourism Organization, at least 10% of global carbon emissions are produced by uncontrolled tourism. In this sense, different environmental organizations denounce that many of the tourist activities are invasive, destroying kilometers of protected habitats and endangering thousands of species.

In addition to all this, there is a pronounced employment gap that, in addition to women, also affects people with some type of physical, sensory and/or cognitive disability. According to the latest data collected by the INE, inactive people with disabilities in Galicia and Andalusia represent the highest rates of unemployment within the group.

In order to improve the current scenario, INTERCOSTAS aims to train people in the management of inclusive and sustainable tourism products and services in the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network in the coastal area, specifically, the maritime-terrestrial area of the Rías Baixas (Galicia) and the maritime-terrestrial space of the Alboran Sea (Andalusia).

AMICOS will collaborate with the Andalusian association “A Toda Vela” to promote new job opportunities in the field of the blue economy, trying to have a direct impact on the employability of people with intellectual disabilities, rural women, young people under 35, immigrants, residents in protected areas and unemployed people over 45 years of age. This will be achieved through the implementation of 7 free training actions, which will be developed in Andalusia and Galicia, according to the following scheme:

• Training in Galicia:
  • Environmental and climate change agents in the marine natural heritage.
  • Collection, monitoring and cleanup of marine debris.
  • Marine waste valorization.
  • Inclusive marine tourism routes.
• Training in Andalusia:
  • Inclusive marine tourism routes.
  • Dynamization and interpretation of blue tourism.
  • Marketing of blue tourism products and services.

Finally, the INTERCOSTAS project has the collaboration of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition, through the Empleaverde Program, co-financed by the European Social Fund.