CoR: coastal and maritime tourism: diversify, invest in training and improve regional cooperation
Vasco Ilídio Alves Cordeiro, President of the Regional Government of Azores, has argued that Europe's maritime and coastal tourism sector must diversify to boost growth and create jobs. Speaking at a seminar organised by the Committee of the Region's Natural Resources Commission (NAT) in the Azores, Portugal, he argued that improved cooperation between Europe's regions, strengthened inter-European connectivity and investment into training and skills could also counteract the challenge of seasonality.
The event organised in partnership with the Azores Regional Government, addressed ways to combat the impact of seasonality on tourism whilst ensuring long-term environmental protection. In his opinion adopted by the NAT Commission, Cordeiro (PT/PES) argued that an EU strategy must be carefully tailored to meet local needs and encourage the diversification of the industry. Improved cooperation between regions and EU investment targeted towards training, skills and labour mobility could also help the sector become more competitive. Cordeiro also pointed out that smart specialisation strategies in the tourism sector, such as eco-tourism, nautical activities, natural and archaeological heritage can also help drive forward the "Blue Economy" in coastal and maritime regions.
NAT Conference, Sete Cidades, Azores
The NAT Commission President and President of the Auvergne Regional Council, René Souchon (FR/PES), backed the call to diversify the sector. Souchon argued that public authorities must do more to extend the tourist season to ensure "a steady flow of customers throughout the year rather than a strenuous peak in the summer and nothing to do in the winter". He added that EU regional funding could make all the difference to help modernise the sector which is why the NAT Commission has commissioned a review on how the EU budget 2014-2020 could be used by local and regional authorities to fund tourism initiatives over the next seven years.
NAT Conference
Fighting natural disasters, locally
With the recent floods in the Balkans and estimates that nearly 80,000 people lose their lives each year to natural disasters, building resilience among communities was also the focus of debate. Harvey Siggs (UK/ECR) stressed that coastal and maritime areas are particularly at risk. The Councillor from Somerset County Council argued that though local and regional authorities are often on the front-line dealing with natural disasters, they often lack the necessary resources. 'Competencies and resources must be matched' said Siggs and called on the national government and the European Union to fully recognise the role of regional authorities in shaping and delivering resilience programmes. Better cross-border cooperation and more opportunities to share good practice is what cities and regions need. Local and regional authorities need to rethink their communication strategies and use social media to reach citizens faster in the face of disaster. Siggs also called for more private-public partnerships and highlighted the role of insurance companies in changing behaviour to become more risk-averse when investing both private and public money. His opinion will be presented for adoption at the CoRs' plenary in June.
Child obesity: CoR welcome the merge of the School Fruit Scheme and the School Milk Scheme
In Europe it is estimated that 22 million are overweight and 5 million obese which is why the European Commission proposed plans to streamline and merge two aid schemes - the School Fruit Scheme and the School Milk Scheme - that offer funds to member states to distribute fruit, vegetables and milk to schools. In his opinion approved by NAT member the Mayor of Panevėžys District Municipality, Povilas Žagunis (LT/EA), supports the plans recognising the health benefits it can bring. Aid should only be made available for products that are unprocessed foods or have no additives or enhancers. The opinion will be presented for adoption at the CoR's October plenary.