Balearic Islands Agency for Tourism has organized three international webinars and an in-person conference in Santa Eulària des Riu led by underwater archaeologist Marcus Heinrich Hermanns. The aim of the initiative, funded by the Interreg Euro-MED program, is to highlight Phoenician and underwater archaeological heritage.
The Balearic Islands Tourism Agency (AETIB) organized last week a series of workshops as part of ECOSEAROUTES project, aimed at international travel agents, specialized sectors like scuba, and the general public.
The sessions, led by Dr. and underwater archaeologist Marcus H. Hermanns, included three online seminars and one in-person Conference to showcase the richness of underwater archaeology and the historical heritage connected to the sea in Ibiza:
- September 15, 16- 18.30h: Webinar in German language for travel agents from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, titled «Vom Meer Geprägt- Das Maritime Kulturerbe Ibizas Und Seine Spuren», organized by AETIB in collaboration with Sidetours Incoming Services and the Ibiza Tourism Board.
- September 16, 15.30 – 18h: English session aimed at travel agents from the United States, Canada,UK and Ireland, titled “The Maritime Legacy and its Reflection in Ibiza’s Cultural Heritage” organized by AETIB in collaboration with Ibiza Tourism Board.
- September 17, 19-21h: webminar session targeted specially for scuba enterprises and diving centres titled “Sustainable diving and maritime cultural heritage: is it possible?”.
- September 18, 18h a 20h: in-person conference open to the general public at the Teatro España in Santa Eulària des Riu titled «Symbiosis between natural heritage and submerged cultural heritage», organized by AETIB with the support of Santa Eulària des Riu City Council and Ibiza Tourism Board.
During the welcome to the international travel agents, Miguel Rosselló Director General of Tourism, took the opportunity to highlight the sustainability actions that the Balearic Islands Government is carrying out, as well as information about the investments made with funds of the Sustainable Tourism Tax (ITS).
AETIB director Pere Joan Planas explained on every workshop that “the ECOSEAROUTES project, funded by the Interreg Euro-MED program, will help showcase the Phoenician archaeological heritage and prehistoric sites of the Balearic Islands.” Planas added that “these actions will directly contribute to the preservation of our fragile insular environments, diversifying our tourism offer, and promoting a model of tourism that is sustainable and respectful of our identity.”
In the development of this project in Ibiza, AETIB works in collaboration with experts and multiple entities private and public, such as the Ibiza Island Council (Tourism and Culture and Heritage departments), Ibiza Tourism Promotion (Fomento de Turismo de Ibzia), the Chamber of Commerce of Ibiza and Formentera, Ports IB, the Environment Department of the Balearic Islands Government, Ses Salines Natural Park of Ibiza and Formentera, the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera, and the culture and tourism areas of the town councils of: Ibiza, Santa Eulària des Riu, Sant Josep de sa Talaia, and Sant Antoni de Portmany.
