The impact of tourism on coastal areas

This study examines the role that Structural Funds play in supporting tourism interventions in coastal regions. Although tourism is not a high priority, and in quantitative terms the proportion of Structural Funds spent on tourism is only a small proportion of the total, the impact in qualitative terms on regional development is substantial, especially in those coastal regions that are highly dependent on the tourism sector. The findings of the study show that a significant impact is related to aspects of institutional building, especially in the new Member States. Another important impact concerns awareness-raising, especially with regard to the environmental sustainability aspects of tourism projects. It is well recognised by policy-makers that the sustainability of a fast-growing sector such as tourism, particularly mass tourism in coastal regions, is a key challenge for the future.