EU’s coastal heaven risks turning into hell

Date: 04/05/06

Nobody knows exactly how much coastal tourism contributes to the EU economy, but holidays by the sea certainly help fill the coffers.

The European Commission estimates that 'on-sea' tourist activities alone, from water skiing to whale spotting, are worth more than €70 billion each year in the EU. The presumably far larger amount of money spent on hotels and entertainment, back on dry land, has not yet been calculated.

The maritime strategy will highlight this gap and hopefully inspire teams of researchers to find out how much is spent on seaside clubs and cocktails in Europe every year.

The strategy also seeks to make member states think about the environmental problems of coastal tourism, such as pollution and careless urban planning.

Sneska Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic, secretary general of conservation lobbyists Europa Nostra, said the Commission was "aware that a limited economic, short-term approach would not work. We were very encouraged that they were so keen for us to get involved [in the run-up to publication]".

Europa Nostra claims tourism is not just vital to the EU economy. "Historic coastal regions, towns and even light-houses are a part of the European identity," said Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic.

She was hopeful that the maritime strategy would encourage member states to look at the bigger picture before planning new seaside hotels and amenities.

"Look at Croatia, for example. The Adriatic Sea is now very 'in' as a tourist area, but we have to take care that tourism facilities are properly planned and do not destroy the landscape."

"Tourism is an important economic development for Croatia, but we don't want to see the same mistakes that were made on the Spanish and Italian coasts in the 1960s and 1970s."

The maritime strategy could also lead to greater care for underwater tourist attractions, such as important shipwrecks or ancient cities submerged off the Mediterranean coast.

Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic said this added another item to the tourist planner's 'to-do' list.

The maritime strategy should therefore make sure tourists get the right information, for example, on safe and careful scuba diving in sunken attractions.

In some cases, where unscrupulous divers have turned treasure-hunters and looted valuable shipwrecks and ruins, the strategy could also make member states improve the policing of tourism to help prevent pillaging.

"It is extremely important the EU is aware of issues like this, particularly as it expands. New member states are fragile when they first join the EU, they need to take care with the speed of tourism developments."

Article takes a look at the role of tourism in the European Commission's plans for a future EU maritime policy. One aspect to be addressed in the forthcoming Green Paper was the negative environmental impact of coastal tourism.
Article is part of a European Voice Special Report, 'EU maritime policy'.

European Commission: DG Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Maritime Affairs https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/home_en

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