On 27 June 2025, the Technical Group (TG) on Sustainable Tourism (SustTourism) of the CMA held its second virtual meeting to explore how sustainable tourism development can be advanced through initiatives and research studies on underwater cultural heritage. Regional organisations, experts, and representatives from the Black Sea countries presented their current research activities in sustainable tourism development and potential opportunities for supporting collaboration and governance mechanisms in the region.
Experts from across the Black Sea region came together to share progress and insights on advancing sustainable tourism through underwater cultural heritage. Discussions highlighted the potential for developing dedicated subgroups aimed at fostering collaboration, supporting join project design, and aligning regional efforts. The value of face-to-face engagement and planning was also emphasised as key to integrating future initiatives into sustainable tourism development.
During this second SustTourism meeting, experts showcased distinct examples in underwater cultural heritage, such as Bulgaria’s efforts in preserving submerged archaeological sites and wooden vessels from different Ages. These included the use of digital technologies such as virtual reality, holography, and 3D reconstructions. The country also focuses on enhancing public engagement through a cultural and science centre, by transforming a former naval base into a Hub for underwater archaeology, tourism, and education.
Romanian experts also presented their several projects on underwater archaeology and diving tourism, including the HERAS Project and the Western Black Sea Routes project, which developed cross-border diving trails with Bulgaria. Other efforts involved mapping an ancient harbour, training youth in diving and 3D scanning, and removing ghost nets from wrecks. The discussion also included an overview of the launched BlackSeaWrecks.ro, the Romania’s most comprehensive online database of shipwrecks. Looking ahead, Romania introduced a new proposal for a virtual museum aiming to digitally showcase the Black Sea’s submerged history through 3D models, educational tools, and interactive maps.
The meeting also included valuable insights from the World Bank, which presented the “Blueing the Black Sea” program, an initiative supporting a sustainable blue economy focused on tackling marine pollution, promoting eco-tourism, and creating jobs linked to coastal and marine tourism. The program also aims to empower coastal communities and vulnerable groups through marine value chains. A key highlight was the introduction of a new strategic pillar, “A livable planet”, as part of the World Bank’s evolving global agenda.
The meeting also addressed updates regarding Horizon Europe funding opportunities, covering topics on cultural heritage digitalisation, AI, peacebuilding through culture, and museum innovation. Eight active topics were highlighted, all due in September 2025, focusing on consortium-based applications and cross-country cooperation.
This second SustTourism meeting was a key milestone, as Black Sea countries formally agreed to establish two thematic subgroups: underwater cultural heritage and sustainable tourism, and provide regular updates. The TG experts also aim to prepare solid project proposals by the end of the year, and to meet in person, during the upcoming Black Sea Common Maritime Agenda Stakeholder Conference, organised by the Ukrainian CMA Coordination with the support of BSAM, in Constanța, Romania on 28 October 2025.