The ASCAME Working Commission of Tourism has held a meeting in the framework of the 8th edition of the Mediterranean Tourism Forum (MEDITOUR 2019), which took place on 13th and 14th of July in Alexandria, Egypt.
ASCAME, the German-Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Egyptian European Business Association, organised the 8th Mediterranean Tourism Forum (MEDITOUR) and met with its regional partners of the European project EBSOMED.
More than 750 participants from 20 countries gathered at a key summit to discuss the new challenges of a strategic sector for the Mediterranean economy: tourism. The Summit has focused this year on the challenges facing the Mediterranean tourism sector, such as digitalisation, the progressive involvement of Mediterranean women into business, the young people employability and training, the funding opportunities or the sustainable tourism.
On the occasion of this important event and in such a relevant context, the Tourism Working Commission, chaired by the Malaga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had the chance to meet and discuss many relevant topics of the Mediterranean tourism sector. The issues covered the need for cooperation inside the Mediterranean, sustainability and eco-tourism as essential aspects, shopping tourism and funding and financing options for Tourism SMEs through technical assistance (e.g. EBRD, EU, WB, IFC, etc.)
Project opportunities related to the tourism sector in the Mediterranean were also discussed. Furthermore, the General Secretariat of ASCAME highlighted its commitment to support its members and their efforts to identify the next calls for proposals and potential partners that could participate in those proposals.
Also, the Presidency of the Commission presented a survey which will be addressed soon to all ASCAME members to get to know the main demands and needs in the Mediterranean Tourism sector and to know which are the key actors and key sectors for companies in the Mediterranean Tourism sector. The survey results will be useful to identify the main challenges and opportunities.
A reinvention of Mediterranean tourism becomes now crucial, taking into account the new demands in the sector, to counteract the negative impact on the environment and social sustainability of the high number of tourists, ensure the sector’s financial viability, etc. There is also a need to derive the maximum profit from tourism to create jobs, reduce poverty and contribute to peace, especially on the south shore. However, this must be implemented based on a new sustainable and coordinated vision that works with the different territories, reviews social tourism, takes care of heritage and takes up the challenge posed by climate change, which is fundamental for sustainable development.