NECSTouR advocates for Sustainable Mobility in Tourism at Eurovelo Event

NECSTouR Permanent secretariat was invited by the European Cyclists Federation (ECF) to share its view on how to manage the continuing growth of the tourism sector to ensure its sustainably. Sandra de Puig, our head of policy, presented two projects from NECSTouR work program: CIVITAS Destinations and the horizontal project on Sustainable Tourism in the Interreg MED Programme.

The workshop with decision makers on developing cycling tourism in the Mediterranean Area took place at the Croatian Permanent Representation in Brussels on February 19, 2020. An event organised by ECF and the Croatian National Tourism Board. The European Cyclists' Federation is promoting cycling as a sustainable and healthy means of transportation. Our friends from the European Travel Commission (ETC) were also present.

CIVITAS Destinations

CIVITAS DESTINATIONS works for integrating sustainable mobility measures for the benefit of residents and tourists. NECSTouR, thought its task force on Sustainable and Smart Mobility has been facilitating members exchanges on the subject. And we have been contributing to CIVITAS DESTINATIONS, with regards to our region’s main priorities when addressing sustainable mobility and tourism: integrated governance, customer journey and reduction of Co2 emissions.

Sandra de Puig also showcased the learnings from CIVITAS DESTINATIONS, resulting in actions started in different destinations (Limassol, Elba, Gran Canarias, Crete), some of them including the promotion of cycling. CIVITAS DESTINATIONS will indeed play an important role during NECSTouR Thematic Conference on Smart Mobility in Tourism.

MEDCYCLETOUR in the Sustainable Tourism community

This event was also be the occasion for ECF to present the results of the MEDCYCLETOUR Interreg Project, a three year modular project of the Interreg MED programme supporting the current development of the EuroVelo 8, a long-distance cycle route that connects the whole Mediterranean from Cyprus to Cádiz.

NECSTouR is tasked to oversee the capitalisation process of this project (among many others) within the partnership of the MED Sustainable Tourism community and spread the results of MEDCYCLETOUR on local, regional, national and European levels.