On 13 February 2026, a local stakeholder workshop of the Interreg South Baltic small-scale project “Raising awareness & competences of benefits of intersecting mental wellbeing and environmentally friendly tourism in the South Baltic region” took place in Karklė, at the Seaside Regional Park Visitors’ Center.
The workshop brought together more than 20 participants, including representatives from tourism businesses, local authorities, local communitires and protected areas administrations. The event created a valuable platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange on how tourism in the region can better integrate environmental sustainability and mental wellbeing benefits.
During the workshop, participants were introduced to the main results of the project, including the self-evaluation tool developed to support the certification of tourism services that combine mental wellbeing and environmentally friendly tourism principles. This tool is intended to help tourism providers assess their practices, identify improvement opportunities, and align their services with wellbeing-oriented and sustainable tourism standards.
Participants also discussed the role of nature-based tourism experiences, such as mindful walks, slow tourism activities, and outdoor recreation in protected coastal landscapes, in supporting stress reduction, improved mental wellbeing, and stronger connections with nature. The natural setting of Seaside Regional Park provided an inspiring example of how protected coastal areas can contribute to such experiences.
The workshop encouraged active discussion on opportunities and challenges for developing environmentally friendly and wellbeing-oriented tourism products in the region. Stakeholders exchanged ideas on how to:
- strengthen cooperation between tourism businesses and protected areas,
- promote tourism experiences that support mental wellbeing and nature connection,
- raise awareness among visitors and tourism providers about the benefits of nature for mental health.
The event in Karklė represents an important step in strengthening cooperation among regional stakeholders and gathering local insights that will support the further development and practical application of the project’s tools across the South Baltic region.
