New EU project in the search for sustainable tourism

By annika [dot] persson [at] ses [dot] lu [dot] se (Annika Persson) - published 20 February 2025

A sunset by a stone wall. — Bornholm. Photo: Artem Shuba, Unsplash.com.

Tourism’s impact on local communities and their ecosystems is a continuous challenge. This applies when we travel, but also when we eat, stay overnight and the activities we take part in at the destination. In a new project funded by the European Union, 15 partners from 10 European countries will try to find solutions for integrating circular economy principles in the hopes of minimising waste, reduce energy consumption and safeguard local ecosystems on local and regional tourist destinations.

At Lund University, the research team will focus on Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, known for its gastronomic tourism and commitment to sustainability. The team will work with local stakeholders to identify circular solutions for sustainable tourism development.

About the project

The VERNE project will collaborate with public administrations, DMOs, private sector services, industries, citizens, tourists, NGOs, and other stakeholders. The project will develop and test scalable solutions in five European tourist destinations (VERNE Pilots) where Bornholm is one. The project will run over 3-years and is funded by the European Union (Horizon).

The LU-researchers involved in the VERNE project are professor Bent Egberg Mikkelsen, PhD Josefine Östrup Backe, and PhD Michael Johansson from the Department of Service Studies.

The project in Lunds University research data base.