The Travel for Change project, led by the Messina Foundation, is focused on transforming tourism in Sicily by aligning it with the SDGs. The initiative aims to combat overtourism while promoting sustainable practices and increasing SDG awareness among both locals and visitors. By engaging local communities in the creation of responsible tourism itineraries, the project fosters environmental, social, and economic resilience.

The project addresses several SDGs, including SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), among others. It combines local knowledge with global practices to create a model for sustainable tourism that benefits both communities and the environment.

Key activities include:

• Educational Workshops & SDG-Focused Seminars: Involving local stakeholders to build awareness and equip them with skills for sustainable tourism.
• Co-Designing Tourism Itineraries: Communities will work together to develop sustainable tourism routes, highlighting local heritage and environmental conservation.
• Travel for Change Academy: A dedicated space for training local tourism operators in sustainable practices.

By the end of the project, Messina aims to have created a network of sustainable tourism destinations, strengthened by local involvement and supported by a toolkit for co-designing tourism itineraries with the community.

The project’s outcomes will be showcased at the Horcynus Festival in June 2025, featuring activities to promote the “Travel for Change” model to key stakeholders.