Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on "Interregional rural tourism projects in the context of Agenda 21"
Date: 2000-12-14
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: development policy, regional policy, rural tourism

16.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 144/65

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on ‘Interregional rural tourism projects in the context
of Agenda 21’

(2001/C 144/20)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 13 June 2000 in accordance with Article 265(5) of
the Treaty establishing the European Community to draw up an opinion on Interregional rural tourism
projects in the context of Agenda 21 and to instruct Commission 2 (Agriculture, Rural Development and
Fisheries) to prepare its work on the subject;

having regard to Agenda 21, as adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development in Rio de Janeiro on 14 June 1992;

having regard to the contribution of Commission 5 (Social Policy, Public Health, Consumer Protection,
Research and Tourism) (rapporteur: Mr Lafay, Mayor of Sancergues, F/PPE);

having regard to the draft opinion adopted by Commission 2 on 25 October 2000 (CdR 254/2000 rev. 2
— rapporteur: Mr Bocklet, Bavarian Minister for Federal and European Affairs, D/PPE),

adopted the following opinion at its 36th plenary session held on 13 and 14 December 2000 (meeting
of 14 December).

The Committee of the Regions

1.

notes the importance of rural tourism for the regions;

8.

9.

supports the call for a sustainable tourism economy in
line with Agenda 21, rural tourism especially;

urges that sustainability be more firmly entrenched in the
tourism sector;

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

points out that rural tourism helps to safeguard and
create jobs in rural areas, and is a key factor in social and
cultural development;

10. points out

that sustainability in the tourism sector
protects the existing mainstays of tourism (landscape,
culture, customs);

affirms that rural tourism is a powerful factor in the rural
economy that needs to be promoted and supported;

points out that additional administrative hurdles make
professional action more difficult;

recognises that while regional particularities inevitably
play an important role for visitors/consumers, interre-
gional projects can also enhance what tourism has to
offer;

agrees that political and administrative boundaries in the
regions have to be overcome in the interests of jointly
developing rural tourism;

11.

regards interregional projects as an important contri-
tourism as an
bution to the strengthening of rural
economic factor;

12. calls for technical and multilingual training for personnel

involved in tourism;

13. considers it necessary that those working in rural tourism
be trained on an interregional basis and that consumers
be able to see the quality of what is on offer;

14. attaches importance to the increased use of electronic

media in rural tourism;

15. considers that it would be efficient for the regions to
provide financial support for interregional training;

16. encourages the regions’ efforts to develop joint marketing

strategies;

7. welcomes interregional cooperation between rural tour-

17.

ism organisations and associations;

supports the call for more interregional networks to
market rural tourism targeted at specific groups;

C 144/66

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16.5.2001

18. considers that health stays on farms can give a boost to
rural tourism and should focus on the physical and
mental well-being of the guest;

19.

sees rural customs as an effective element in increasing
the attractiveness of rural tourism;

20. points out that the inclusion of history and historical
monuments offers an excellent opportunity for enhancing
rural tourism;

21. considers it advisable that integrated tourism plans be
drawn up by external experts (e.g. colleges of further
education, universities, marketing experts);

23. calls for environmental and social factors to be taken into
account in rural tourism projects along with economic
factors, and for an adequate network of personal services
— especially healthcare services — to be provided;

24. considers that regions should provide advisory and
financial support for interregional rural tourism projects;

25. would like special attention to be paid to the territorial

aspect in any discussions of territorial aspects;

26. would like to see an intensive exchange of experience

between existing interregional projects;

22.

is of the view that, in the interests of sustainability, more
networks should be created linking rural tourism with all
regional economic players;

27. affirms that where necessary a ‘tourism product’ should
be marketed on an interregional basis, especially where
the product is targeted at particular groups.

Brussels, 14 December 2000.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Jos CHABERT