The European Regional Commission of the UN World Tourism Organization held its annual meeting in Athens, Greece on 3rd June. This was followed by a high-level conference on Coastal and Maritime Tourism on 4 June. The Conference was attended by delegates from UNWTO member countries, including Tourism Ministers, international organisations and key stakeholders.
The Conference was opened by Greek Minister of Tourism Harry Theoharis, who highlighted the Greek nation’s close connection to the sea and the importance of maritime tourism. As key areas for action, he sees sustainability across the environmental, social and economic dimensions. He also highlighted the need for authenticity of destinations and tourism. Secretary General of UNWTO Zurab Pololikashvili followed the same line and highlighted the value of maritime tourism, as well as the space and potential to develop new products in the coming months and years.
Sofia Zacharaki, Deputy Minister of Tourism of Greece added details on the strategic approach of the Greek government for tourism in the next years that is guided by a 10-year strategic plan. She underlined the need to develop skills and qualifications and expected funding through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. Maritime tourism should be seen as a flagship of tourism in many countries. In a video message, European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean focused on the cruise sector and highlighted its key challenges and her optimism for a successful summer season.
When setting the scene, UNWTO Director for Europe Alessandra Priante recognised the economic multiplier effects of boating and yachting that benefit regions and countries in Europe. She welcomed EBI among the key stakeholders for the coastal and maritime sector in Europe.
In the following panel discussion on “Economic Sustainability, the Industry Perspective”, EBI was represented by Secretary-General Philip Easthill. Alongside representatives of the yachting, cruise and port sector, a number of key issues were raised on the future economic sustainability. The key message brought to the discussion by EBI was the uniqueness of the recreational boating and nautical tourism ecosystem, which is crucial for many European regions and is predominantly made up of SMEs backed up by a strong European manufacturing footprint. A number of areas for attention by policy-makers were raised, among them infrastructure, a level playing field in tourism, recognition of new consumer trends and environmental sustainability. The key concluding message from EBI was the untapped potential that the ecosystem offers for recovery, economic growth and success fur European regions and tourism in the coming years taking into account the post-pandemic trends.
Following the panel, the Ministerial Panel was held, where the participants welcomed the institution of the Sustainable Coastal and Maritime Tourism Research and Monitoring Centre. This new monitoring centre will be based at the University of the Aegean in Greece, where experts will measure data relating to environmental, economic and social impact of tourism. At the Panel, the participants also had the opportunity to share their visions on how to foster sustainable coastal tourism. UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili praised the vaccination campaigns and the Digital Covid Certificate in the EU, stressing that these are the pathways to restart tourism not only in the EU, but also in partner countries. Deputy Minister of Tourism of Cyprus Savvas Perdios shared Cyprus’ experience with coastal tourism, stressing that tourists want more of an experience when travelling, something that coastal and nautical tourism can provide. Secretary of State of Tourism of Portugal Rita Marques highlighted the need for infrastructure, in order to allow for seamless tourism and travel. Private and public investments are key.