Alpine Pearls at the DG REGIO Breakfast Debate
Sustainable tourism and cross-border cooperation at the heart of the debate
On 18 September 2025, Alpine Pearls participated in the 24th Beyond Borders: Breakfast Debate, an online event organized by the Border Focal Point Network with support from DG REGIO of the European Commission. The webinar gathered cross-border cooperation experts, EU officials, and representatives of territorial networks to discuss the challenges and opportunities of tourism in border regions.
A chance to share Alpine experience
During the debate, Giovanni Vassena, Project Manager of the Alpine Pearls EGTC, presented the network’s activities and lessons learned, highlighting the value of sustainable mobility and joint destination management as key tools for tourism development in transboundary Alpine areas. He referenced European projects that have allowed the experimentation of concrete solutions, from micromobility and public transport enhancement to cooperative governance models.
The European perspective and project highlights
The discussion was opened by Valeria Cenacchi, Programme Manager at DG REGIO, who emphasized tourism’s role as a driver for regional development and cohesion. She pointed to the importance of Interreg programmes and structural funds, which have already enabled joint cross-border cycling routes, coordinated promotional campaigns, and cultural corridor strategies. Cenacchi stressed the need for more efficient utilization of EU funding opportunities to better match the needs of cross-border tourism projects.
Following her, Ramunė Genzbigelytė-Venturi, Policy Officer for Tourism at DG MOVE, elaborated on how the Tourism Transition Pathway can help modernize tourism offerings in border areas, advocating for common standards and coordinated strategies to ensure coherent cross-border visitor experiences.
In addition to institutional contributions, participants watched a video testimonial of the PORTOLANES (Greece–Italy) project, which showcases sustainable nautical tourism and its cross-border potential.
Key takeaways from the debate
The discussion revealed persistent challenges: fragmented tourism strategies, unequal infrastructure investment, and weak coordination among local and regional actors. It also brought up risks associated with uneven digitalization and divergent service standards, which hinder the delivery of seamless visitor experiences. To overcome these, European cooperation is essential to develop shared tools, build capacities, and foster a coordinated destination identity across borders.
Opportunities for Alpine Pearls … and beyond
The event confirmed that sustainable tourism in border regions is a shared European challenge. For Alpine Pearls, the message is clear: continue strengthening its role as a cooperation facilitator, share good practices, and proactively promote the Alps as a living laboratory for innovation in responsible tourism.