The Red de Cruceros Ibéricos Fluviales Transfronterizos (RED CIFT) is set to present the outcomes of its initiative aimed at fostering cross-border river and cultural tourism during an international event in Miranda do Douro, Portugal, on 20 October.
Over the past two and a half years, the project has worked on developing and improving nautical-cultural routes along the shared borders of Spain and Portugal, specifically targeting the river basins of the Miño, Limia, Duero, Tajo, and Guadiana. The initiative has received a total budget of €816,646.61, with 75% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) 2021-2027 programme.
RED CIFT aims to leverage the potential of shared rivers as connectors of territories, cultural spaces, and tourism resources. The project has adopted a sustainable and inclusive approach, promoting the conservation of natural and cultural heritage while enhancing accessibility and knowledge exchange among participating regions.
The upcoming event in Miranda do Douro will allow partners from both countries to share their experiences and present the nautical-cultural destinations developed through the project. It will also serve as a platform for discussing future collaboration opportunities in promoting nautical and cultural tourism.
Focus on sustainable tourism development
Throughout its duration, RED CIFT has implemented various strategies, including strategic planning, training, certification, coordination, and communication. Training has been a key component, equipping stakeholders with the necessary tools to develop tourism products linked to river and cultural resources.
The project's overarching goal is to transform the potential of shared rivers into sustainable development opportunities with minimal environmental impact, strengthening the bonds between river communities and promoting new ways to explore heritage on both sides of the border.
Collaboration between Spain and Portugal
RED CIFT is led by the Clúster Marítimo-Marino de Andalucía (CMMA) and involves eight partner entities from both Spain and Portugal, representing diverse territories and areas of expertise related to tourism, nautical activities, and territorial development. The partners include the Asociación Galega de Actividades Náuticas (AGAN+), the Clúster de Turismo de Extremadura (CLUTUREX), the Asociación Ibérica de Municipios Ribereños del Duero (AIMRD), and others.
This cross-border cooperation is a fundamental aspect of the project, facilitating the sharing of experiences and coordinated initiatives to sustainably utilise the natural and cultural resources that connect the two countries.
Event details
The event, organised by AIMRD in collaboration with the Municipality of Miranda do Douro, will commence at 10:30 am (local time) on 20 October at the Miranda do Douro auditorium. The opening session will feature remarks from Helena Barril, President of the Câmara Municipal de Miranda do Douro, Jesús Rivas Rojo, Secretary General of AIMRD, and Javier Noriega Hernández, President of CMMA and project coordinator.
Miranda do Douro was chosen as the venue to reinforce the project's cross-border nature and its connection to the Duero-Douro axis, a key area of cooperation between Castilla y León and Northern Portugal, where heritage, landscape, and river resources present opportunities for new tourism and cultural development proposals.
The event aims to highlight the collaborative efforts of participating entities and explore the potential for continued development of sustainable, accessible river tourism that resonates with the identity of the regions involved.
