This Handbook provides a comprehensive framework for the development, strengthening and effective operation of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (STOs), with a focus on the contribution of the Interreg Euro-MED Thematic Projects of the Sustainable Tourism Mission and the Interreg Euro-MED Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (NSTO).
Drawing from the contributions, discussions and experiences presented during the previous sessions organised by the coordinators of this Network: Lazio Region (Italy) partner of Dialogue4Tourism Project, European University of Rome (Associated Partner of Dialogue4Tourism Project), El legado andalusí Foundation-Regional Ministry of Culture and Sport of Andalusia (Spain), LP of Dialogue4Tourism Project, the document outlines data-management approaches, stakeholder engagement strategies and policy-integration practices that enable STOs to become strategic instruments in sustainable tourism governance.
This Handbook for Sustainable Tourism Observatories: Strategies, governance and implementation guidelines is released in the framework of the Interreg Euro-MED Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories. This Network is led by the Interreg Euro-MED Dialogue4Tourism Project with the support of the Community4Tourism Project (through its MED Cluster of Innovation & Technology Capacities) and integrates in its core the Interreg Euro-MED Thematic Projects of the Sustainable Tourism Mission as a forum for exchange and debate. It is managed by Lazio Region, Italy (partner of Dialogue4Tourism Project) with the support of the Università Europea di Roma, Italy (Associated Partner of Dialogue4Tourism Project) and other project partners as El legado andalusí Andalusian Public Foundation (Regional Ministry of Culture and Sport of Andalusia, Spain), ASCAME (Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Spain), GTI (Greening the Islands (Italy), Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Poreč (Croatia), European Public Law Organisation-EPLO (Greece) and Region SUD (France). It counts as well on the support of the Intermediterranean Commission of CPMR-IMC (Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions), coordinator of the MED Cluster of Innovation & Technology Capacities of Community4Tourism Project. The NSTO promotes evidence-based decision-making through collaborative data collection, analysis and dissemination. Its mission is aligned and contributes to the global and European frameworks such as the EU Transition Pathway for Tourism, the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism, the EU tourism agenda 2030 and the future EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy. This handbook supports STOs in transitioninHandbook for STOs Final. 12-2-26g from monitoring structures to governance platforms capable of shaping, informing and evaluating sustainable tourism policies.
Currently, 40 institutions are members of this Network, representing a diverse type of stakeholders. Some of these members are part of the partnerships and associated partnerships of the former Interreg MED Program, building on the origins of the Network with the former Best MED Project. In addition to this, the Observatory is collaborating with various Thematic Projects of the Sustainable Tourism Mission of Interreg Euro-MED. Furthermore, it works with several institutions linked to sustainable tourism at a European level. The objective is to enhance the scope and impact of the initiative by bringing in expertise from a wide range of sectors
