European Commission: Recovery of Coastal and Maritime Tourism

Deadline: 12-Jan-22

European Commission is calling for proposals for the Recovery of Coastal and Maritime Tourism in the Western Mediterranean.

Scope

This call topic seeks to support projects that will develop a multidimensional and integrated approach to re-building coastal and maritime tourism (including cruise tourism) in the Western Mediterranean. Proposals will include non-EU countries participating in the initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the Western Mediterranean to ensure a coordinated approach at sea basin level.

Objectives

• In line with the priorities of the European Commission, this call topic aims to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the coastal and maritime tourism ecosystem in the Western Mediterranean, as part of a smart and resilient blue economy. This call topic aims at preserving the marine and coastal environment and marine cultural heritage, and contributing to the attractiveness of coastal areas as a unique asset for competitiveness in the Mediterranean.
• The action particularly aims at:
  • Supporting tourism stakeholders to tap into the growing ecotourism niche tourism market.
  • Boosting innovation and digitalisation in the tourism sector, thus increasing its contribution to economic growth and jobs in the Mediterranean.
  • Improving the business environment for tourism SMEs, mobilising private-public investments, enhancing socio-economic and market intelligence, diversifying and increasing the visibility of the tourism offer and products.

Themes

Proposals must address at least one of the following themes:

• Innovation in destination management
  • Proposals will address the following priorities to the maximum extent possible:
    • Strategic management of the destination with a long-term orientation and better addressing environmental and social sustainability at the destination level.
    • Creating value and making the destinations competitive and profitable, adjusted to the ‘new normality’ of the COVID era.
    • Conservation of cultural heritage and natural values.
    • Monitoring the competitiveness and sustainability of the destination.
    • Promoting synergies between tourism and other productive activities, notably through participation of governmental and other public bodies, trade associations, local government, businesses, citizen representatives, local communities, cultural associations, promotion agencies.
    • Effective marketing, including promoting cultural authenticity and natural assets.
    • Accelerating the digital transformation processes including tourism data management and digital skills.
• Design of smart eco-tourism packages
  • Proposals will address the following priorities to the maximum extent possible:
    • Stimulating new business opportunities, which directly or indirectly support ecotourism product experiences in and around protected areas.
    • Reducing the ecological footprint and strengthening the circular economy approach – notably in coastal cities and on islands.
    • Strengthening destinations through the collaboration of local clusters.
    • Promoting less known areas and prolonging the tourist season.
    • Providing visitors with a high-quality experience.
    • Integrating different product components (e.g. accommodation, meals, activities, transport) and suppliers (tour operators, lodging, restaurants, canteens, etc.)

Funding Information

• The available call budget is EUR 3 875 000. This budget might be increased by maximum 20%.
• Amount: EUR 1 000 000

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:

• be legal entities (public or private bodies)
• be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
  • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)
  • non-EU countries that are part of the sea basin strategies targeted in this call for proposals:
    • Mauritania, Morocco, and Algeria, Tunisia and Libya in Topic 3 “Recovery of coastal and maritime tourism in the Western Mediterranean”

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