Co-Designing Regenerative Tourism in Western Greece: AGORA Workshops

In June and July 2025, p-consulting.gr successfully implemented two online workshops under Work Package 4 of the AGORA project. The aim was to introduce the concept of regenerative tourism, and guide participants in creating new tourism offers that combine sustainability, culture, and community involvement.

The first session focused on learning. Participants were introduced to AGORA’s key educational resources: the interactive map of regenerative practices across Europe, the AGORA Guide for Regenerative Tourism, and the blended training course modules. Discussions and small group exercises encouraged participants to reflect on the opportunities and barriers in their own local contexts.

The second session was practice oriented. Using co-design methods and dedicated templates, participants collaborated to develop proposals for both a new tourism experience and the adaptation of an existing cultural event. Ideas generated included a sustainable reinterpretation of the famous Patras Carnival – and a redesigned wine festival in Aigialeia that integrates eco-friendly practices and immersive digital elements.

The workshops gathered a diverse group of ten stakeholders: tour operators, local producers, cultural associations representatives, a university student, an NGO representative, a citizen volunteer, and a co-founder of a virtual experience platform. Their active engagement highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration and the potential of digital tools in enhancing accessibility and seasonality.

Key outcomes included a deeper understanding of regenerative tourism principles, stronger networking among local actors, and actionable plans for tourism offers that actively restore value to the environment, community, and economy. Participants also stressed the importance of funding opportunities and technical support to implement their ideas.

The co-created proposals will soon be published online in the AGORA LAB section of the project’s website, offering inspiration and transferable practices to other regions in Europe.