“The Tourism of Tomorrow: European Regions as drivers of Sustainable Change. NECSTouR Accessibility Task Force” Cristina Núñez NECSTouR Permanent Secretariat 22 March 2013 MITA – International Meeting on Accessible Tourism Vicenza, 22nd March 2013

…The Next Tourism ! Launch 2007 – Creation: A network of European Regions, associated with representatives of the tourism entreprises, tourism associations and universities/ research institutes aiming at: -Develop a strong framework for regional cooperation at European level; -Develop research & development model of Sustainable tourism management; -Strenghening the Role of Regions in the European Tourism Policy - A network launched during Euromeeting 2007 in Florence - A self financed network NECSTouR EUROSTAT DATA 2010 Overnight stays in accommodation structures for tourist for NUTS2 Regions NECSTouR = <600 million of overnight stays per year

History 2007 EC COM “AGENDA FOR A SUSTAINABLE AND COMPETITIVE TOURISM “ Mobilising actors to produce and share knowledge The European Commission will support the strengthening or the creation of platforms – by also using new technologies – where lessons drawn by good and bad practices can be exchanged and where collaboration between tourism and other related sectors can be improved. The promotion of best practices exchange towards sustainable destination management (e.g. addressing the issue of seasonality and the prolongation of the tourism season) can contribute in a significant way to the competitiveness of the tourist destinations. These platforms could allow a more specific approach reflecting the territorial and economic characteristics of destinations”  Catalunya (ES) Provence-Âlpes-Côte d’Azur (FR) Toscana (IT ) 2009 ADOPTION LISBON TREATY Official Creation of NECSTouR asbl 2010 EC COM “EUROPE, THE WORLD’S N°1 TOURIST DESTINATION-A NEW POLITICAL FRAMEWORK FOR TOURISM IN EUROPE” Action XI “The Commission will be supported by the initiative implemented in cooperation with the Network of European Regions for a sustainable and competitive European tourism (NECSTouR) and the EDEN destinations network with a view to developing a system of indicators for the sustainable management of destinations”

FULL MEMBERS 27 Regional authorities (NUTS 2) Portugal: Alentejo, Algarve Netherlands : Zeeland France: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Aquitaine, Midi- Pyrénées, Bretagne, Bourgogne, Ile-de-France Italy: Emilia Romagna, Puglia, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, Piemont Spain: Catalunya, Islas Baleares, La Rioja, País Vasco United Kingdom: Cornwall Region Belgium: German-speaking Community of Belgium Region, Flanders Switzerland: Valais Region Sweden: Västra Goteland Region Czech Republic: Zlín Region Greece: South Aegean Islands Croatia: Istria

Associated Members National, European, International public/Private Organisation working in the Sustainable Tourism Sector

What do we do? Increase KNOWLEDGE: Collection, exchange and evaluation of good practices Presentation during high level EU Events (ETD, ETF…) Thematic Regional Conferences Database (more than 100 on the website) Increase JOINT ACTIVITIES : Information, Facilitation, Development of projects Dynamic Taskforces Increase EXPERTISE: Cooperation with European and International organisations Formal Cooperation agreements signed Increase VISIBILITY: Promote the strategies and activities of the members Website, internal/external newsletter, social media, Annual Regional Conference, Taskforce Meeting Ensure a Bottom up CONTRIBUTION: Monitor, contribute and influence the European Tourism Policy Consultations /Amendements/Positions

Cooperation with the European Commission Indicators (Action XI of EC Communication ) Maximising the potential of Tourism Networks Projects T4ESTD: Provide a free training to our Region resulting with an international certification for the management of sustainable tourism projects ODYSSEA City Harbor: Support the development of the European Cultural route of the mediterranean NEZEH: Nearly Zero-Energy Hotels aims to accelerate the refurbishment rate of hospitality industry buildings into Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings New 2012 Taskforces: Accessibility & Blue Growth Ongoing Activities

Accessibility Task Force CoordinatorsVeneto & Ile de France Objective Develop an action plan for accessible destinations Cooperation with all stakeholders at European and International level Contribute to the European Tourism and accessibility policy Principles Accessible Tourism = responsible Tourism → Sustainable Tourism Members Veneto, Ile-de-France, Catalonia, Flanders, Toscana, Puglia, Emilia Romagna, FederCultura Turismo, University of Girona, European Federation of Nautical Stations SOCIAL DIALOGUE COMPETITIVENESS MEASURABILITY

Accessibility Task Force: Work Programme ActionDeadline 1. Accessibility Task Force launchSep Official presentation of Accessibility Task ForceNov Mapping of accessibility best practices & strategiesDec Raise awareness on accessibilityMarch Mapping of accessibility EU policies & financing programsJune Finding common accessibility issues NECSTouR membersDec 2013

Veneto Accessibility Task Force: Good Practices

Veneto Ongoing and Future actions Rising awareness among tourism stakeholders, public and private actors (e.g. Gitando.All, “I diritti solcano gli oceani”); Implementing the tourism web portal with accessibility-related information about the regional tourism offer; Setting up innovative tools to improve services for people with special needs (GPS data, service card, etc.); Supporting pilot destinations where public and private actors cooperate in order to improve accessibility;

Ile de France

Promote the offer: Handistrict.com Accessibility criteria established by Ile de France tourism board Controling the offer (we visit the sites) Places and services can volunteer Promoting the offer widely Open Data GPS data soon Official opening February 2013 – public launch July 2013

Flanders

Promoting Flanders as Accessible Tourism destination: Progressive integration towards and inclusive approach: Accessible tourism is tourism Pilot Project: WW1 centenary – Cooperation with authorities and organisations – Offering an entirely accessible travel destination a wider choice of accessible points of interest points of interest are interconnected in an accessible way – Accessibility service chain: building + surrounding neighborhood, municipality and entire region Opportunity to improve quality of facilities & information channels Infrastructure, training, informationCulture, transport, heritage

Catalonia

Accessibility Aims: To provide accessibility for all To promote full participation in society through tourism To integrate accessibility within the different tourism products To rise awareness of the industry To foster specific training To encourage accessible information and communication on tourism

Catalonia Accessibility DivingBiking Balloon flights SailingSkiing Example: Active Accessible Tourism

CONCLUSIONS Undertake Strategic actions Improve the local situation REGIONAL AUTHORITIES HAVE A GLOBAL VISION ACCESSIBILITY MEASURES INTEGRATED REGIONAL TOURISM STRATEGY SOCIAL DIALOGUE – MEASURABILITY – COMPETITIVENESS SUSTAINABILITY

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