The final workshop of the WUITIPS took place in Brussels, hosted by the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the European Union. It provided an opportunity to present findings and discuss challenges and opportunities in implementing the WUITIPS approach.
As the European Union continues to experience an increase in wildfires, the need for effective risk management and mitigation strategies has become a pressing concern.
Wildfires pose an increasing threat particularly in tourist destinations. Tourists are generally unaware of the risks associated with wildfires, and tourism-oriented facilities often lack preparedness for wildfire impacts. These fire events often result in large-scale evacuations, fatalities, extensive damage to tourist facilities and long-lasting economic impacts, which are particularly evident in Mediterranean Europe. there is a significant need to enhance wildfire resilience at the municipal and property levels, with a harmonised approach shared between neighbouring Member States, specific science-based tools for wildfire risk management and coherent messages and recommendations for best practices.
Millions of tourists travel across Europe each year but are not aware of the risks of wildfires. Raising awareness is key and can make a difference in enhancing preparedness.
The WUITIPS project
The WUITIPS project, funded by the KAPP Call, has been working to address these issues, and its final workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to share findings and solutions applicable across Europe. The project Consortium is made of partners from both the private and public sectors, including municipalities and universities, with specific experience in the relevant fields.
WUITIPS stands for "Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Touristic Infrastructure Protection Solutions" and aimed to develop a comprehensive approach to minimising wildfire risk in EU tourist areas.
The discussions highlighted the complex mix of stakeholders involved in wildfire risk management: property owner and hotel managers responsible for safeguarding their properties; fire safety engineers and risk assessment consultants ensuring fire safety and emergency planning regulation, and at the municipal level, civil protection technicians and managers, as well as first responders, who overseer risk assessment, planning, risk awareness, and wildfire prevention and mitigation.
To assist stakeholders in their respective roles, WUITIPS had developed a range of tools:
The project’s products have been tested at pilot cases on the French- Spanish border (Girona, and Pyrénées Orientales). They are available on the project’s page.
Key takeaways and suggestions for the scalability of project’s results across Europe
The workshop highlighted the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach to wildfire risk management, emphasising the need for collaboration among local authorities, emergency services, tourism operators, and communities. Working together, these groups can develop effective guidelines, tools, and recommendations for wildfire preparedness.
To support the scalability of project results, sharing data and best practices can help ensure consistent wildfire management across regions. Fire prevention agencies should also collaborate with tourism associations at all levels to integrate WUITIPS tools into existing services.
Stakeholders also discussed key challenges to implementation, such as limited resources, low awareness, regulatory barriers, and data sensitivity concerns. Some tourist facility managers may hesitate to invest in safety measures unless regulations require them.
Despite these obstacles, the workshop identified opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing. One suggested solution is to incorporate wildfire risk management into emergency planning guides for the tourism sector, ensuring better coordination and communication.
A sustainable tourism approach was also emphasised, recognising that high visitor numbers and inadequate infrastructure can increase wildfire risks. Encouraging responsible land use, environmental awareness, and industry engagement in fire prevention can significantly reduce these threats.
Strengthening EU-Level engagement
The workshop, held at the Catalan Region office in Brussels, highlighted the importance of working with regional EU offices to raise awareness and encourage cooperation. Many European regions have representations in Brussels, providing an opportunity to share project results and connect with policymakers who may not yet be familiar with wildfire risk management efforts. Expanding outreach at this level helps to promote the use of WUITIPS’ tools and ensure that wildfire prevention remains a key topic in EU policy discussions. Strengthening cooperation between regional and EU institutions could also help integrate wildfire prevention into wider disaster risk management plans.
Next steps
The WUITIPS final workshop emphasised the importance of using research-based risk assessments, cooperation between different sectors, and well-integrated policies to reduce wildfire risks in European tourist areas. The project’s tools and findings offer a solid foundation for improving preparedness, but continued investment in technology, international collaboration, and partnerships between public and private sectors will be essential for long-term success. As wildfires become a growing concern, taking a proactive approach to wildfire risk management will be key to protecting lives, infrastructure, and the tourism sector across the EU.