Shaping sustainable tourism across the Channel

On Tuesday 10 March, nearly 100 tourism businesses, organisations and partners from Kent and Pas-de-Calais came together at the Maison du Parc et du Geopark in Le Wast for the Cross-Channel Geopark conference on Shaping Sustainable Tourism.

The event brought together a diverse mix of stakeholders — from accommodation providers and guides to transport operators, local authorities and destination organisations — to explore how sustainable tourism can be developed collaboratively across this shared cross-Channel landscape.

A shared vision for a cross-Channel Geopark

The day opened with Nick Crane, President of the Cross-Channel Geopark, who welcomed delegates and set out the importance of partnership in shaping the future of the aspiring Geopark.

A series of speakers followed, each offering perspectives on tourism, connectivity and regional collaboration.

Philippe Duquesnoy, President of Pas-de-Calais Tourisme, spoke about the role of tourism in strengthening regional identity and cooperation. Alex Riley, Visit Kent, highlighted the value of tourism to Kent’s economy and the opportunities presented by closer cross-Channel collaboration.

From a transport perspective, John Keefe, Director of Corporate and Public Affairs at Eurotunnel, emphasised the importance of connectivity in enabling movement between the UK and France, reinforcing the idea of the Channel as a link rather than a barrier.

Bringing the focus back to the Geopark itself, François Charlet, Director of Parc naturel régional des Caps et Marais d’Opale, and Nick Johannsen, Director of the Kent Downs National Landscape, shared a joint perspective on how the Cross-Channel Geopark can support sustainable tourism, while protecting and promoting its geological and cultural heritage.

Learning from an established UNESCO Global Geopark

A key part of the programme was a presentation from Grainne O’Connor, who shared insights from the development of the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark.

Her presentation provided a practical example of how a cross-border Geopark can evolve over time — from early collaboration and community engagement through to developing recognised visitor experiences and achieving international visibility. The session concluded with a Q&A, where delegates explored how these lessons might apply in the Cross-Channel context.

Workshops: shaping the direction together

In the afternoon, delegates took part in a series of interactive workshops focused on shaping the foundations of a Cross-Channel Geopark sustainable tourism strategy.

Discussions explored:

• A shared strategic vision for tourism across the Geopark
• Target markets and audiences, including current gaps and opportunities
• Marketing and communications, including the potential for a shared toolkit
• Product and experience development, linking geology with local culture and heritage
• Sustainability and infrastructure, including how to support responsible travel
• Stakeholder collaboration, and how partners can work effectively across borders

The ideas and insights generated during these sessions will directly inform the development of a tourism roadmap and draft sustainable tourism strategy for the Geopark.

Exploring the landscape

The day concluded with a visit to the Carrières du Boulonnais and Vallée Heureuse quarries, offering delegates the opportunity to experience the geology that underpins the Cross-Channel Geopark.

The visit also highlighted the potential of industrial tourism, demonstrating how working landscapes and heritage sites can contribute to meaningful visitor experiences and help tell the story of the region.

Building a cross-Channel network

Beyond the formal programme, the conference provided an important opportunity to strengthen connections between tourism stakeholders from both sides of the Channel.

It marked an early step in establishing a Cross-Channel Sustainable Tourism Group — a network that will support collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the co-development of future tourism initiatives.

Looking ahead

The Cross-Channel Geopark submitted its application for UNESCO Global Geopark status in November 2025. Assessors are expected to visit in summer 2026, with a decision anticipated in spring 2027.

The development of a sustainable tourism approach — shaped by businesses, partners and communities — will be an important part of demonstrating the strength and impact of this collaboration.

This conference was supported by the British Embassy Paris through the Franco-British Call for Bids programme, and delivered in partnership with Pas-de-Calais Tourisme, VisitBritain, and Getlink (Eurotunnel).