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Internal meeting CPMR-Intermediterranean Commission Task Force on Culture and Sustainable Tourism

Organized by: CPMR-IMC with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Exterior of Andalusian Government.

Date and Time

20 November
15:30h - 18:30h
Room 6 - Acciona

Addressed to

Departments and tourism agencies of Mediterranean Regions, observers and guests

Language

English

PAX

34/70 pax

The CPMR Intermediterranean Commission organises its Sustainable Cultural & Maritime Tourism Task Force meeting next November 20, 2024, in Almería (ES). This face-to-face meeting takes place as a side-event during the Sun&Blue Tourism Innovation congress. It also happens in parallel with the 2nd annual joint Forum of the Interreg Euro-MED mission on sustainable tourism, the launch meeting of the WestMED technical group on sustainable tourism and an internal meeting of the Interreg Euro-MED NaTour4CChange project in which the Intermediterranean Commission and some of its member regions are involved. This event is organised with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Andalusia Exterior (Junta de Andalucía, through its public enterprise Turismo Andaluz).

During this meeting, Mediterranean Regional tourism departments, agencies, and observers will meet to explore opportunities for cooperation with the objective of tackling the most urgent challenges related to climate change and the well-being of local communities and improving nature protection.

Organizing the meeting of the Sustainable Cultural and Maritime Tourism Task Force as part of this ambitious event provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen connections with other key initiatives and stakeholders present on site, such as the WestMED Initiative, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, thereby enhancing the governance of sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean.

Private event resticted to Intermediterranean Commission Members and invited guests (CPMR).

Agenda

AGENDA (15/11/2024)

Working languages: English
Meeting is only for members of the Intermediterranean Commission and invited guests.

Overall moderation by Flora Leroy, EU Programmes Senior Officer, CPMR Intermediterranean Commission.

15.30-15.55 | WELCOME ADDRESS & INTRODUCTION

• José Francisco Benitez, EU Projects Adviser, Regional Ministry of Tourism, Andalucía
• George Alexakis, Coordinator of the CPMR-IMC Task Force, Vice Governor of Region Crete, Greece, in charge of European and International Affairs (video).

o Last updates on sustainable tourism in Mediterranean Regions.
• Flora Leroy, EU Programmes Senior Officer, CPMR Intermediterranean Commission.

o Background and outline of the meeting.

15.55-16.50 | SHAPING THE TOURISM OF THE FUTURE

This summer's 2024 season has registered an increase in the number of international tourists and a stronger domestic demand in many European countries, consolidating the Mediterranean as one of the main tourist destinations globally. However, it has also fuelled past concerns about overtourism, triggering tensions with local communities: i.e. demonstrations in mature destinations such as Mallorca or Barcelona, reflections about the management of tourist flows in Greek islands or an increase in the tourist tax in Venice. Likewise, the number of extreme weather events such as droughts, fires and heavy rainfalls has been increasing due to climate change, with direct consequences for tourist destinations and their biodiversity around the basin. How can we plan the future of tourism to overcome these challenges?

• Addressing current tourism challenges (10 min)

o CPMR Islands Commission Policy Position on “overtourism” – Alfonso Cabello Mesa, Vice-Ministry of the Presidency, Canary Islands.

• Biodiversity protection as a necessity for the future of tourism (20 min)

o EU Nature Restoration Law: A good opportunity to boost ecotourism – Emanuela Manca, Policy Officer, Autonomous Region of Sardinia.

o Tackling climate change through nature-basedsolutions(NbS) – Emmi Lindqvist, Marine Biodiversity and Blue Economy Programme - IUCN Med.

Debate with participants (20 min)

16.50-17.10 – BREAK

17.10-18.15 | THE CPMR INTERMEDITERRANEAN COMMISSION: A CATALYST FOR OPPORTUNITIES

The IMC Task Force on “Sustainable Cultural & Maritime Tourism” gathers Mediterranean Regional tourism departments and observers (DMOs, international organisations, and other stakeholders). It aims to serve as a space for discussion, exchange of experiences and best practices to achieve a greener and digital tourism transition, reducing the sector's impact on climate change, as well as fostering the capacity building of regional authorities and improving sustainable tourism governance.

• Taking Climate Action Planning to all territorial levels (20 min)
o CPMR-IMC Declaration on Climate Mitigation – María Cruz Ferreira-Costa, Regional Secretary for Energy, Sustainability and Climate Action, Region of Murcia.
o Capitalizing on the activities developed by the Community4Tourism Interreg Euro-MED project:

Blueprint for Tourism Climate Action Plans. A Guide for Regional Authorities and Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) –Alicia Fajardo Márquez, Sustainable Tourism Specialist, The Travel Foundation.
Practices handbook: Unpacking the potential of Integrated Coastal Zone Management & maritime spatial planning processes for sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean – Samson Bellières, Green and Blue Transition Project Manager, Plan Bleu.

• Tourism as a key sector in the blue economy (20 min)

o Turning local policy recommendations into basin recommendations together with the WestMED new Technical Group (REBOOT MED EMFAF project) – Gaetano Armao, President of the Specialized Technical Commission (CTS) for Environmental Permits under Regional Competence, Sicily (video).

o Innovative methodologies in the blue tourism sector (BLUE ECOSYSTEM Interreg Euro-MED project) – Jordi Juarez, Project & Policy Officer, CPMR IMC.

Debate with member regions (25 min)

18.15 | WRAP-UP AND CONCLUSIONS
• Flora Leroy, EU Programmes Senior Officer, CPMR Intermediterranean Commission