Objectives and activities

The WG will be active in both policy and project dimensions. For the former, one of the leading Commission Communications that sets the framework is the Innovation Union. In the latter, the group will follow calls in FP7 and FP8, CIP, AAL, Interreg, LLP, etc.

The main activities will be arranged along four strands:

KNOWLEDGE BASE 

• To map Commission units and officials working on Tourism and establishing good working relations with them
• To establish and pursue mutually beneficial working relations with other tourism networks, e.g. Necstour
• To share best practices among the European regions
• Early intelligence in EU policy initiatives in the domain and in funding programmes
• To explore wellbeing, health and sport tourism 
• Collaboration with other ERRIN Working Groups
• In the long run, influencing EU strategies and the content of future Calls for Proposals

DEVELOP NEW IDEAS

• To develop the tourism sector according to the EU strategies
• Stimulate competitiveness in the European tourism sector
• Promote the development of sustainable, responsible and high-quality tourism
• Provide a real European added value
• Innovative partnerships: facilitating networking between within private and public (also educational) and 3rd sector organisations and supporting their synergies
• To support micro and SME companies in the sector
  

DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• To support professional skills and tourism education

IMPLEMENTATION AND DISSEMINATION OF INNOVATION

• Concept of activities and roles of actions locally and internationally
• Participation in conferences, seminars and workshops
• To develop user-driven innovative products and services using innovative methodologies such as Living Labs