Sustainable Tourism: what perspectives and opportunities for the Regions?

- Italia : Piedmont : NPK dell'Alpe Veglia e dell'Alpe Devero

- Finland : North Ostrobothnia : NP Syöte

- Roumanie : Tulcea : MAB Danube Delta
Regions are eager to implement sustainable policies that bring economic, social and environmental development to their communities. Recently tourism has been recognised as a priceless tool to value local initiatives and to promote eco-development. All these initiatives contribute to the communitie's development and may attract visitors, thus bringing economic growth and jobs, which is why the AER has taken it at heart to assist its members in building sustainable tourism practices.
In this context, the AER has developped 4 initiatives:
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AER Webportal for sustainable tourism.
The Webportal aims at promoting efficient strategies of sustainable quality tourism at the regional level.
Documents to download and other links:
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Partnership with the International Bureau for Social Tourism
A partnership convention was signed on 8th November, between Mr Illy (AER) and Mr Tonini (BITS). This agreement will allow both organisations to carry out long-term project together. For more information, please refer to the Convention.
Partnership convention
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Peer Reviews on Sustainable Tourism
Following the AER pilot Peer Reviews on Economic Development carried out in 2006, we are now equipped to carry audits in the the field of tourism, to measure the sustainability of regions' tourism policies and to offer advice for improving these policies.

- Peer Review meeting
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PRESERVE Interreg IVC project proposition
The project "Peer Reviews for Sustainable Eco-Regions via Europe" was presented on 15 January 2008. The AER is the lead partner in a consortium with 13 other member regions. For further information, please download the powerpoint presentation on the right.
PRESERVE: project description
New!
CIP - Networks for the competitiveness and sustainability of European Tourism
The overall objective of this call for proposals is to support initiatives of public and private bodies, or their existing networks, to contribute to enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of European Tourism especially for SMEs, while allowing for wider economic, social and environmental benefits to be gained.
Further information here!
Main events 2008
AER Tourism Newsletter
(reserved to AER members, please log-in)
Arbeitsgruppe für Tourismus
This working group is the main support to the AER tourism activities. It is chaired by Thomas Carlsson, Tourism Manager, Västerbotten, Sweden.
Please log in to access the minutes of the last meetings and the agenda of the next one.
Main AER Positions
AER Reaction to the EU draft guidelines for tourism
Following a call for reactions to the EC draft guidelines of the renewed EU Tourism policy, presented by Mr Commissioner Günther VERHEUGEN in October 2005, the AER has produced a position, which was sent to the European Commission.
AER reaction to the EC draft guidelines for tourism
Conclusions of AER Seminars on tourism
(see below)
AER past events
3rd AER Seminar on quality tourism: the problem of seasonality? Which impact and which solutions? Are, Jamtland, 10-12 March 2005
Proceedings available here!
2nd AER Conference on Sustainable Quality tourism 'Linking quality and distinctiveness', Exeter, Devon, 25-26 March 2004
You can find a presentation of the Conference and all outcomes here.
1st AER Seminar on Sustainable tourism on 26-27 June 2003 in Istra
Final Conclusions of the seminar and list of participants available here.
Further information
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The AER on DG Enterprise & Industry website
The AER's sustainable tourism page is referenced on the tourism section of the European Commission's DG Enterprise & Industry page under "useful links"

- DG Enterprise and Industry - Tourism