The Steering Committee in charge of the Polycentric Sustainable Tourism (POST) project, 75% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Atlantic Area program, held a key working meeting at the Casa da Cultura in Monforte de Lemos. The Steering Committee, formed by partners from Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland, reviewed the current work packages, updated the activity calendar, and reached agreements on strategic actions to promote polycentric tourism across their regions.

A major outcome was the decision to implement training programmes tailored to each territory, aimed at developing «author tourism» – a model that redistributes tourist flows, boosts local economies and creates valuable, authentic experiences.

Concurrently, the expert committee finalized the strategic framework that underpins the concept and will be integrated into the project’s Toolkit and pilot actions. Both committees shared their findings during a Joint Meeting, reinforcing the connection between theory and practical application.

The study visit began in Monforte de Lemos, capital of Ribeira Sacra, where participants explored the integration of cultural heritage and wine tourism. 

Additionally, a stakeholder meeting led by Eixo Atlántico brought together key tourism actors from Galicia, particularly from Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras. The session provided insight into the challenges and opportunities of tourism development in rural areas, highlighting common issues across the project’s participating regions – from inland Galicia and northern Portugal to Cognac and Dublin’s metropolitan area.

The POST project team also attended an official reception at the Lugo City Hall, where they were warmly welcomed by local authorities. During their stay, they also toured several iconic sites in the provinces of Lugo and Ourense, including the stunning Ribeira Sacra region, renowned for its natural landscapes, historic monasteries, and terraced vineyards.

The partners of the project ‘POST – POLYCENTRIC SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: IDENTIFICATION OF A STRATEGY TOWARDS THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE SECTOR (INTERREG ATLÁNTIC AREA Program)’ are Eixo Atlántico (ES), Diputación de Ourense (ES), Inorde (ES); Turismo Porto e Norte Portugal (PT), Municipality of Braga (PT), Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (PT), Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Municipal Council (IR), Technological University (IR), Atlantic cities (FR), and PERT West Charente – lands of Cognac (FR).