European funds focus on transnational tourism products – Twissen Season Report Spring 2017

During the last season, many operators of the European Travel & Tourism industry had the chance to submit their proposals on the call named “Supporting the Promotion and Development of Transnational Thematic Tourism Products Linked to Cultural and Creative Industries” under COSME, the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises, and on the call named “Nautical Routes for Europe” under the EMFF – European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

Both of them were managed by EASME, the Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises and had similar characteristics. First of all, the allocated budget was 1.5 million euros for each call, planning to co-finance from 5 to 7 proposals for 300.00 euros each. Even though the two calls were welcomed by the Travel & Tourism community, their expectation for an higher budget is perceivable.

Even if in different fields, both of the calls support the development of transnational tourism products. This also includes itineraries routes and paths which necessarily involve territories of more than one eligible Country which are the European Union Member States along with the others adhering to the programme.
Both called for innovative tourism products, even if COSME stressed the adoption of new technologies such as the augmented and virtual reality.

The 2018 European Year for Cultural Heritage is considered a very important appointment and the approved proposals will definitely contribute and, at the same time, benefit from the several planned initiatives. For sure, culture is a component emphasised by each call as a strong travel motivation.

Partnerships are a very delicate topic, namely the consortium of applicants proposing the project. Their composition has to be balanced and has to represent both various categories of players of the Travel & Tourism industry and the needed skills to implement the proposed activities. This topic is linked to the sustainability of the project after the co-financing period which has to be proved and which is very important for the evaluation criteria.

After all, the future of Travel & Tourism also depends on these initiatives.

In the Report you can also find about:

• Off the beaten paths with technology on hand
• Brexit, the year after
• European funds focus on transnational tourism products
• Overtourism phobia
• Alitalia crisis in the European air sector segment
• A new legislative context for short-term rental in Europe
• Z Generation, a new target of travellers
• Reviews and web reputation mark new trends in the accommodation sector
• Action, travel!

Twissen