29-07-2025
Can coastal tourism go green — and still thrive?
In some of the most remote parts of the Atlantic, marine tourism is both a lifeline and a challenge. Local economies depend on it—but traditional practices can take a toll on fragile ecosystems. As climate change warms the oceans and alters wildlife behaviour, tour operators are being pushed to rethink the way they do business.
That's where TWINNEDbySTARS comes in. This EU-backed project is helping small tourism companies across the Canary Islands, Madeira, the Azores, and Martinique, to find smarter, greener ways to operate at sea. The goal: to make marine tourism more competitive, while also protecting biodiversity, preserving local heritage, and even opening the door to a new kind of experience — marine astrotourism.
With nearly €1 million in funding, the project runs from 2023 to 2026 and brings together scientists, tourism experts, and small businesses to explore what a more sustainable future on the water could look like.
Dr. Yen Lam González, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is part of the team guiding the project's research. She says it is about changing mindsets as much as methods. 'The marine ecosystem — just like land ecosystems — is constantly under pressure from human activity,' she explains.
But change is already happening. Some tour operators in the project have started electrifying their boats, cutting down on noise and pollution. Others are reviving ancient sailing techniques, navigating without engines or electronics, guided only by wind and stars — an experience that blends tradition, storytelling, and low-impact travel.
One of the most popular innovations are hydrophones. These underwater microphones are now being used not just to help locate whales and dolphins, but also to give passengers a deeper connection to the marine environment. 'It's not just about spotting a dolphin,' González says. 'It's about understanding the whole ecosystem — how it lives, how it sounds, how it all fits together.'
In the end, the idea is simple: if the environment thrives, everyone benefits.
