The Adriatic Sea Forum is taking place in Trieste on 21-22 March 2013. It is the first major international event dedicated to maritime tourism on the Adriatic, gathering representatives from 7 countries, 25 regions and more than 150 destinations involved in the tourism development and tourism industry. The CEI, as a supporting organisation of the Forum, has promoted the meeting with central and regional authorities, in particular in the Eastern Adriatic area.
The welcoming session was attended by representatives of central and regional authorities, including Federica Seganti, Councillor for Productions Activities of the hosting Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Olivera Brajović, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro. As underlined by the CEI Alternate Secretary General Amb. Margit Waestfelt in her welcome speech, the CEI is well aware of the fact that tourism, as one of the growing industries, is currently at the forefront of economic and social development.
Through its activities, the CEI is anticipating the developments of the EU Strategy for Adriatic Ionian Macro-region, whose institutionalisation should be finalised in Brussels by the end of this year. The CEI is already promoting several projects involving these seas, such as the promotion of a cluster of shipbuilding and yachting in the Adriatic Ionian Macro-region, building upon a similar initiative sponsored by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.
As for as the EU-supported initiatives, the CEI is currently implementing the SEEMORE Project (www.seemore-project.eu) involving tourism regions in Europe in order to enhance sustainable mobility in tourist destinations. Since tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors, if the increase in mobility and transport are not properly managed, it could lead to a decrease in the attractiveness of tourism destinations, due to congestion, pollution etc.
For more information: gostisa@cei.int