A European Strategy for more Growth and Jobs in Coastal and Maritime Tourism

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS A European Strategy for more Growth and Jobs in Coastal and Maritime Tourism It focuses on the challenges to be addressed and proposes a strategy to enhance the sector's sustainability and competitiveness, to be implemented by the Commission, Member States, regional and local authorities, private operators and other stakeholders. In particular it addresses the following challenges and topics: - Stimulate performance and competitiveness - Improving knowledge - Addressing demand volatility - Overcoming sector fragmentation - Promoting skills and innovation - Strengthening sustainability - Addressing environmental pressures - Promoting an innovative, sustainable and high-quality offer - Insularity and remoteness – seeing opportunities in geographical constraints - Maximise available EU funding/European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) - Research, innovation and competitiveness - Education, training and culture - Mainstreaming EU policies affecting coastal and maritime tourism Conclusions: Coastal and maritime tourism needs an ambitious policy framework. The Commission, Member States, regional and local authorities, industry and other stakeholders must take targeted action in coherence with EU policies that have an impact on this sector. The Commission will regularly monitor this process to ensure that actions are implemented. It will then report to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions and will assess the results.