Sustainable maritime and coastal tourism in the Outermost Regions

Topic description

Objective:

The main objective is to support the blue economy in the EU’s Outermost Regions through projects that promote innovative and sustainable solution in coastal and maritime tourism and contribute to protect marine biodiversity, in line with the Commission communication “Putting people first, securing sustainable and inclusive growth, unlocking the potential of the EU Outermost Regions” adopted on 3 May 2022^[1], as well as with the objectives of the Communication on a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU^[2] Transition Pathway for Tourism^[3] (Commission report published on 4 February 2022).

In line with the above priorities, this call topic aims at preserving the marine and coastal environment and marine cultural heritage, and strengthening the attractiveness of coastal areas as a unique asset for competitiveness in the EU outermost regions, by:

• Supporting tourism stakeholders to tap into the growing ecotourism market, while preserving the marine and coastal environment and their rich biodiversity and ecosystems and strengthening the sector's resilience to climate change;
• Boosting innovation and digitalisation in the tourism sector, thus increasing its contribution to economic growth and jobs in their territories and in line with Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) as far as relevant;
• Improving the business environment for tourism SMEs, mobilising private-public investments, enhancing socio-economic and market intelligence and territorial marketing based on the unique assets of the region, diversifying and increasing the visibility of the tourism offer and products.

This topic aims at supporting projects that will develop a multidimensional and integrated approach to the tourism offer in the Outermost Regions. Proposals must address at least one of the following themes:

1. Design of smart eco-tourism packages and promotion of biodiversity assets;
2. Innovation in destination management.

Activities that can be funded:

Selected projects should carry out to the maximum extent possible the indicative (not exhaustive) activities listed below:

• Design and testing of new tourism products, providing visitors with a high-quality experience, including new tools and/or EU or other internationally recognized tools, methods, and indicators/standards for sustainable tourism practices, and monitor and assess carbon and environmental footprint;.
• Stimulating new business opportunities which directly or indirectly support ecotourism product experiences in and around protected areas;
• Strengthening destinations through the collaboration of local clusters and communities;
• Promoting less known areas and prolonging the tourism season;
• Integrating different product components (e.g. accommodation, meals, activities, transport) and suppliers (tour operators, lodging, restaurants, canteens, etc.);
• Strategic management of the destination with a long-term orientation and ways of better addressing environmental and social sustainability;
• Marketing activities, including promoting cultural heritage and natural assets;
• Accelerating the digital transformation processes including tourism data management and digital skills;
• Promoting synergies between tourism and other productive activities, notably through multi-stakeholder partnerships/hubs/networks/clusters, involving governmental and other public bodies, trade associations, local government, businesses, citizen representatives, local communities, cultural associations, promotion agencies;
• Data collection and monitoring of economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism to local destinations in a harmonized manner which can be aggregated to support regional or national statistics of tourism destinations and businesses, including by engaging tourism observatories;
• Awareness raising and capacity building activities for stakeholders in the coastal and maritime tourism sectors to support uptake of new models and approaches;
• Development of policy recommendations for the chosen theme(s), based on lessons learned during project implementation and recommendations of mechanisms to ensure future sustainability of activities beyond the project duration;
• Contributing to the establishment of or participation in National or Regional Skills partnerships in the partner Member States.

Applicants will describe in their proposal the concrete and measurable results within the duration of the project and their expected impact, including indicators for the monitoring and measurement of progress.

Projects are expected to achieve the following impacts to the maximum extent possible in line with the proposed activities:

• New product/services integrated in the local/regional/sea basin tourism offer;
• Set up of new tourism routes including eco-tourism;
• Durable partnerships/networks focusing on the chosen theme(s);
• New and applicable policy pathways and recommendations or action plans to support public authorities (national and regional) and services;
• New start-ups, investments and jobs created;
• New eco-tourism packages promoting cross border and interregional cooperation, with replication potential across the Outermost Regions;
• Increased digitalisation and circular economy approaches in the maritime and coastal tourism sector;
• Increased awareness of the targeted Outermost Regions as a sustainable, high quality and safe destination;
• Diversification of, and less seasonally dependent, maritime and coastal tourism products offered in the targeted Outermost Regions;
• Upskilling and reskilling of employees in the tourism sector (both employed and unemployed).

The above list of expected impacts is non-exhaustive and applicants may add others if deemed relevant to achieve the objectives of this topic.

[1]COM(2022)198 final

[2]The Communication on a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU stresses the Commission’s commitment to continue supporting the Outermost Regions in developing sustainable blue economy strategies.

[3]Tourism transition pathway cocreation (europa.eu)