On 20 June 2022, NECSTouR's Director presented testimony and good practices of using EU funds for tourism in practice at the "Transition of EU tourism – EU Funding Opportunities" Webinar, organised by the European Commission and Committee of the Regions.

The commitment of our destinations arises from the 23 actions identified by the Tourism Transition Pathway (TTP) of the European Commission that are aligned with our long-term vision. It goes from achieving sustainable growth and embracing digitalisation; to addressing climate change and improving resource efficiency; From increasing access, analysis and usability of Information; to Boosting competitiveness, Skills and market Intelligence - Ms Cristina Nunez, NECSTouR Director

The “Sustainable Tourism Handbook” on how to use EU funds for sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean region was offered as a good practice that NECSTouR has developed in the framework of the Interreg Med Sustainable Tourism Community Project.

“This initiative should be replicated to cover the whole EU territory – continued Ms Nunez – as it address all the relevant ERDF & RRF programmers and implementers and presents what possibilities they offer for sustainable tourism. Moreover, it advises on how to make better use of EU funding for tourism, connecting Managing Authorities with project promotors, and proposes concrete next steps.”

A strong message of gratitude was conveyed to Ms Beatrice Taulègne, Director on Legislative work at the EU Committee of the Regions, Ms Valentina Superti, Director of Tourism & Proximity at DG GROW, and Ms Marie-Hélène Pradines, Head of Unit on Tourism and Textiles at DG GROW, for having organised the meeting. These thanks were extended also to the five DGs that presented how to access the funds they manage in order to transform regions' tourism offer and activities: Guide on EU Funding for tourism and Single Market Programme (DG GROW); European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (DG AGRI); European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion policy (DG REGIO); European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (DG MARE); Horizon Europe (DG RTD); LIFE programme (DG ENV).

“We call the European Regions and Cities that are here today – concluded Ms Nunez – to secure political endorsement for supporting your sustainable tourism development through the EU funding and to enable conditions for sustainable tourism to be in the operational programme. Let’s develop a new narrative demonstrating how investing in sustainable tourism accelerates socio-economic recovery and resilient tourism ecosystems which can drive the 2030 Agenda. It’s time to measure success according to values beyond volumes.”

With regards to the EU funding for tourism, we are in a particular momentum since we are in the transition among two programming periods and now the identification of priorities is being done and even first calls have been already launched. On the other hand, having a look to the past, we see that many different EU funding lines have supported tourism projects - Josep Rodriguez, Barcelona Provincial Council, Coordination MED Sustainable Tourism Community

You can find the PowerPoint presentations presented by the NECSTouR Director here and those of the other panellists below:

1. DG GROW supporting Transition pathway tourism_MH Pradines
2. DG GROW EU guide on funding and SMP Milosz Momot
3. DG REGIO Cohesion Policy ERDF Miguel Hernandez Littlewood
4. DG MARE EMFAF Camille Gallouze
5. DG RTD Horizon Europe Christina Sarvani
6. DG ENV LIFE Lucilla Di Virgilio
7. Sustainable MED tourism community Josep Rodriguez