1 EDEN Network Workshop Clonakilty, 25th February 2009 EDEN Network Workshop

2 Context and historic Memorandum Of Understanding Euromeeting Toscana – November 2007 MOU approved and signed by 36 stakeholders, including 15 Regions Agenda for a Sustainable and Competitive European Tourism

3 Memorandum of understanding (MOU) 10 priority themes 2 pillars Regrouped in 5 bigger themes One additional pillar Cross-matching pillars / themes EDEN Network Workshop

4 MOU Pillars Social DialogueMeasurability 2 pillars Competitiveness A third priority EDEN Network Workshop

5 Thematic groups Transport and mobility Life quality of residents and workers Quality of life of residents and tourists Quality of work Active conservation of heritage and identities Active conservation of cultural heritage Active conservation of environmental heritage Active conservation of distinctive identities of destinations EDEN Network Workshop

6 Thematic groups Making tourism less seasonal Widening the relations between demand/supply (geographical and seasonal) Environmental Management Reduction and optimisation of use of natural resources with particular reference to water Reduction and optimisation of energy consumption Reduction of waste and better waste management 5 Themes EDEN Network Workshop

7 Cross matching pillars and themes Environmental Management Life quality of residents and workers Active conservation of heritage and identities Making tourism less seasonal Transport and mobility Social Dialogue Measurability Competitiveness EDEN Network Workshop

8 Objective Creation of a common and harmonised set of Sustainable and Competitive Tourism Indicators to be applied by NECSTouR regions, to analyse situation and progress: MONITORING Scope Transversal-holistic point of view, considering: - 3 pillars of sustainability - 3 transversal pillars of NECSTouR - 5 thematic areas – implication of working groups

9 Methodology: 0. Identification of issues to be measured 1. Analysis of existing and suggested indicators 2. State of the art of Indicators in EU regions (stakeholders) 3. Proposal for Indicators (methodology) and Monitoring System consistence with other territorial levels collaboration from all stakeholders (areas of competence) training and awareness 4. Establishment of a metholology for data compilation and test research centers and universities 5. Analysis and reports

10 Methodology: Complementarilly to... TASKS OF WORKING GROUPS!!! Issues to be considered: TRYING TO USE CONSISTENT EXISTING INDICATORS OR SOURCES ADAPTABILITY TO DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS EASY TO BE INCOPORPORATED IN MAKING DECISIONS AGGREGATION – DESAGREGGATION Principles: - Relevance - Availability/potential availability - Comprehensibility and credibility - Comparability - Predictive ability

11 EDEN Network Workshop Bad practices to be avoided (risks): - Another set of indicators - From up to down - Complexity, high cost - Weak social dialogue - Focus only in quantitative data - Forgetting important impacts – no indicators reflecting - No monitoring - No analysis - No dissemination and awareness - No translation into decisions - “Cosmetic use” - Ineficiency, duplicity, inconsistence,... - Not including exogenous information INDICATORS AND METHODS APPLIED IN OTHER ACTIVITIES CAN BE USED FOR TOURISM AS WELL!!! (COMPETITIVITY)

12 Indicators We think to start experimentations, suggesting, for each of the 10 issues identified by NECSTouR, the application of a series of indicators which could derive from a mixture of parameters taken from: TSG group report (document dated February 2007); Additional indicators chosen within NECSTouR working groups (some issues are not thoroughly investigated by TSG indicators) ; Additional indicators suggested by local panels. EDEN Network Workshop

13 Indicators : practical implementation We need to match indicators of sustainability with indicators of competitiveness We want therefore to develop a vision of the development levels the destination wishes to achieve in the future (2015, 2020,2030) We think to benefit from: a Swot analysis of the state-of-the-art, the vision of the future of the Destination on the basis of the programming tools adopted. EDEN Network Workshop

14 Step 1 : Share the principles In order to proceed from theory to practice, we need to select a number of Destinations where to put into practice a set of pilot actions which will later constitute “the NECSTouR model”. EDEN Network Workshop

15 Destinations shall first agree upon the following common principles: Take a holistic and integrated approach Plan for the long term Achieve an appropriate pace and rhythm of development Involve all stakeholders EDEN Network Workshop

16 Destinations shall first agree upon the following common principles: Use best available knowledge Minimise and manage risk Reflect impacts in costs Set and respect limits, where appropriate Undertake continuous monitoring EDEN Network Workshop

17 Step 2 Put into practice adequate tools for social dialogue and participatory processes The commonly understood vision implies carrying out actions taking into account the two principles which are fundamental: Social dialogue (taking into account the various roles) Measurement of phenomena connected to the heterogeneous activities connected to tourism EDEN Network Workshop

18 Step 2 – Put into practice adequate tools for social dialogue and participatory processes Create the frameworks for empowerment of the local networks of tourism stakeholders Work actively towards the promotion of participative tools for establishing social dialogue Dedicate appropriate attention, each stakeholder according to his role, to the ten specific issues identified by NECSTouR EDEN Network Workshop

19 Local network Persons responsible for each key issue They will suggest useful indicators how to calculate and monitor them, what to do when indicators tell us that behaviours are not aligned with sustainable aims. EDEN Network Workshop

20 Local network We as NECSTouR could give the necessary tools for each destination ( e.g. local authority ) 1. logical framework for indicators 2. some obligatory indicators ( to be use even for international and interregional comparison ) 3. some suggested voluntary indicators for the type of destinations ( chosen on the basis of the type of destination, such as: seaside resorts, art cities, spas, and so forth) EDEN Network Workshop

21 Indicators: research network ERNEST / ERANET project: Research network on sustainable tourism (launched in September 2008 and led by Tuscany Regional Authority) EDEN Network Workshop

22 Next steps … NECSTouR General Assembly South West England June 2009 Florence June 2009 Research Convention devoted to cooperation between European Universities and research centres directed at sustainable and competitive tourism. EDEN Network Workshop

23 Next steps … Final implementation Plan : Florence 5th – 6th November. Euromeeting (International forum on sustainable tourism ) A comparative analysis will be undertaken and presented on the action and Best Practice regarding tourism included in the regional Operational programmes financed by Structural Funds

24 Thank you for your attention! Further information and updates: Contact: EDEN Network Workshop