As part of the research and development (R&D) project “Sustainable Sailing Tour: Developing Sustainable Tourist and Educational Sailing Products Using Digital Technologies” (2011–2013), co-funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology, the Environmental Education Lab (EEL) created original educational resources aimed at promoting lifelong environmental learning in the context of sailing tourism. These materials formed the basis for an interactive geoinformatics application developed by Talent Information Systems S.A., using Cruiser and Sail applications created by Marine & Sailing Enterprises S.A.

The application allows users to explore Greece through two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cartographic representations. It features layered maps incorporating both vector and raster data, which can be overlaid for detailed exploration. Built-in tools offer functionalities such as map resizing, navigation, distance measurement, and on-point information retrieval. Users can also add and manage content by inserting, repositioning, or editing points, creating object groups, designing route lines, and generating “intelligent” collections.

In collaboration with Talent Information Systems S.A. and Marine & Sailing Enterprises S.A., the EEL designed five comprehensive sailing tours across the islands and coastal areas of Greece, specifically tailored for adult learners. Each tour is supported by a flexible educational framework that invites sailing tourists to engage meaningfully with the local environments they visit. This approach promotes a deeper understanding of the need for, and potential of, sustainable tourism development, while encouraging reflection on one’s own role in shaping more responsible tourism practices.

The educational resources developed for each of the five sailing routes include two core components:

1. Informational texts describing each stop along the route, as well as other notable locations in the broader area, with a focus on issues and themes identified during route analysis.
2. Proposed educational and recreational activities, designed to enhance participants’ experience both at sea and at selected stations along each route.

The overarching goal of this material is to help participants make meaningful connections between the environmental, economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions of the areas they explore. This begins with a basic understanding of sustainability, both in general terms and within the context of tourism, and extends to appreciating the value of industrial and architectural heritage. Ultimately, the aim is to support the development of personal, reflective interpretations of the regions visited.