WORKING GROUPS

In view of the threat posed by these economic, financial and environmental, the economic viability of the tourist industry and the debate on the need for a real EU policy to promote it currently represent a priority challenge for Peripheral Maritime Regions and all their citizens. The working group on “sustainable tourism” was created in Florence in October 2007. The group is co-chaired by the Regions of Västra Götaland (S) and Sicily (IT) and focus its reflection on the following areas:


• the cross-cutting nature of this sector and the need in the short term for effective coordination between the different policies and instruments developed at European level (ERDF, ESF, CF, EAFRD, EFF) and at national, regional and local level;


• the added value of an EU policy aimed at ensuring competitiveness and socio-economic sustainability in the tourism sector;


• the need for multi-level governance to provide the Regions with the right conditions to effectively address the many challenges impacting the tourism sector (coastal zone development, climate change, pollution, conservation of natural resources, etc.);


• introducing conditions for a more intense cooperation between Regions with regards to tourism to disseminate best practice and successful experiences;