WadNext and VaBene Showcase Tourism Solutions for the Future

How can sustainable tourism move from strategy to everyday practice? This September, two events in the Wadden Sea offered inspiring answers. At the WadNext Conference 2026 on Ameland participants explored how destinations can translate sustainability ambitions into concrete action. In Tønder, the Final Conference of the INTERREG A project VaBene showcased practical examples of regenerative tourism developed through cooperation in Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein.

The Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, participating as a network partner, welcomed the strong focus on collaboration and knowledge exchange. Anja Domnick says: “The message shared by both events was that local ownership is key. Whether addressing visitor pressure, supporting local businesses, strengthening community well-being, or creating nature-positive visitor experiences, solutions are most effective when developed by and with local stakeholders.”  

Together, the two conferences highlighted how partners across the Wadden Sea are helping to put the Sustainable Tourism Strategy into practice, demonstrating that a shared vision for tourism can only succeed when rooted in local realities and cross-border cooperation.