Water Scarcity Challenges Tourism: Österlen Tests Sustainable Solution for the North Sea Region
When tourism’s peak seasons coincide with the effects of climate change, the consequences become clear in Österlen. Visit Skåne is now joining forces with various actors in Österlen to find solutions to the region’s water challenges, within the framework of the international project 3ST – Speeding up Sustainability Skills in Tourism.
Project Overview
Financed by the Interreg North Sea Fund through the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, the project aims to provide tourist destinations with concrete tools to manage high seasonal pressure and resource scarcity while strengthening their resilience against climate change.
”We are in a situation where many destinations, especially coastal ones like Simrishamn, are already experiencing the effects of water scarcity and climate change. At the same time, tourism is a crucial income source. This creates an urgent need to think differently. We need to create systems that work for both the planet and local communities,” says Carolina Olisson, Project Manager at Visit Skåne.
Water Challenges in Simrishamn
In Simrishamn municipality, the population doubles every summer. Over two million visitors increase pressure on water resources precisely when groundwater levels are at their lowest. The effects are noticeable through water usage restrictions that impact households, agriculture, businesses, and visitors.
Innovative Collaboration
The project builds on the principle that real transformation requires collaboration across borders, sectors, disciplines, and countries. In Skåne, this happens through joint workshops, practical tests, and a strong focus on network building.
Future Ambitions
The goal is to make Skåne a role model for sustainable tourism in practice – a place where tourism strengthens rather than weakens local resources. By 2030, the project group wants to see a Skåne where water issues are not a source of conflicts but a shared concern.
Learn More
Join the interesting conversation about water challenges and solutions at the Ystad Summit on September 3-4, 2025.
Contact
Project Leader Carolina Olisson
Email: carolina.e.olssen@skane.se
Phone: +46 722 30 15 02
