Tour Rural Baltic – Future-proofing tourism through accessible low-carbon mobility

TourRBaltic addresses the future challenges of rural tourism in the Baltic Sea Region. While rural areas hold great potential for sustainable tourism, they also face increasing pressure: overtourism in popular destinations, environmental decline caused by overuse, and growing risks from extreme weather. At the same time, an ageing population and visitors with diverse mobility needs highlight the urgency of improving accessibility.

The project responds by positioning sustainable and active mobility (cycling, walking, e-mobility, multimodal travel) as a key solutions to these challenges. By improving access to rural destinations, reducing dependence on private cars, and promoting low-carbon travel, the project not only lowers CO2 emissions but also tackles mobility poverty, supports healthier lifestyles and helps destinations remain resilient.

TourRBaltic brings together local and regional authorities, NGOs and SMEs to exchange knowledge and co-create solutions. The result will be the Green Rural Paths Toolkit, a practical resource that equips destinations and authorities across the region with methods, examples, and policy recommendations to integrate active mobility into tourism development. In this way, the project strengthens networks, builds trust and ensures that rural tourism in the BSR develops in a sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented direction, supporting the EU climate goals for 2040.