The TOURAL project proudly participated in IKUWA 8, the 8th International Congress for Underwater Archaeology, which took place in Oostende (Belgium) from 13 to 17 October 2025.
The congress was organized by the IKUWA Steering Committee, Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Flanders Heritage Agency, Agence Wallonne du Patrimoine, Ghent University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, VisitFlanders, and the City of Ostend.
This international event provided a valuable opportunity to explore the intricate relationship between humans and the ocean, emphasizing the importance of understanding our shared maritime past to protect the future of marine environments. Through the study of underwater and coastal cultural heritage, researchers were able to access humanity’s collective memory, uncovering insights into sea-level fluctuations, climate change, and the evolving socio-cultural ties that connect people to the sea.
On 16 October, during the session “Unlocking Potential, Preserving the Environment – Contributions of Underwater Cultural Heritage to Engage Smart and Sustainable Tourism”, our partner Polyvios Raxis from Atlantis Consulting, represented the TOURAL project. With a dedicated presentation: Empowering Sustainable Tourism Growth of Rural and Remote Areas Leveraging Cultural Heritage in Multidimensional Tourism Modelling, he showcased TOURAL’s main objectives and vision, focusing on how the project contributes to the development of smart, sustainable, and culturally driven tourism through the promotion and protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage.
TOURAL’s participation in IKUWA 8 was a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the project’s innovative approach, foster collaboration with international experts, and contribute to the global dialogue on how cultural heritage, sustainability, and tourism can work hand in hand for the benefit of future generations.
