The French Development Agency (AFD - Agence Française de Développement) and Plan Bleu (UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre) host in Marseille a workshop on the contribution of tourism to a sustainable and inclusive development, gathering partners of the two institutions, as well as decisions-makers, tourism operators, researchers and experts from several Mediterranean countries.

Thanks to a rare mix of mild climate, rich culture, exceptional and diverse natural resources and the proximity to major source markets, the Mediterranean countries appear as the world’s leading tourism destination, with nearly 30% of the international demand over the years. To cope with the sustainable development agenda, the tourism industry cannot rely only on its weight in the global workforce (11,5% in the Mediterranean countries in average in 2014) and in the regional GDP (11,3% in 2014), but has to consider new challenges for integrating and preserving economic, environmental and social assets. Settling conflicting interests between tourists and inhabitants over land use, water and energy ressources, but also qualifying and regulating natural and human heritage or promoting tourism activities in rural areas are some of the major issues to handle in the sector in the coming years.

 
In this regard, the workshop aims at building a shared vision and different operational approaches for a tourism renewal in the region, including the transformation and diversification of seaside tourism, along with a specific focus on public policies for fostering a balanced development of countries and destinations through tourism.

Resources

Concept Note (EN, FR)