This year’s edition of European Maritime Day centres on “Coastal development and sustainable maritime tourism: an investment for blue growth”. For two days in Valletta, experts from all maritime sectors and from all over Europe will discuss how to drive the industry forward and maintain its position not only as a sector for sustainable growth, but also as a crucial driver for the wider economy and a key contributor to the European Union’s 2020 strategy.

If there is one industry that can help Europe out of the economic crisis it is tourism

If there is one industry that can help Europe out of the economic crisis it is tourism. It is the largest sector of the maritime industry, providing employment for 2.35 million people and producing over €100 billion value added to the EU economy every year.

Crucially, the sector has remained remarkably resilient over the last few difficult years and continues to offer employment opportunities in coastal regions that are often isolated and may not have extensive economic activities elsewhere.

But seasonality and a lack of new, innovative concepts bog the sector down and keep it from delivering its full potential in terms of wealth generation. This is a competitive global market and despite the beauty of our coasts, we cannot just be content with the relative success of the sector. We must ensure that our coastal towns and resorts are and remain the most attractive for tourists from Europe and beyond. To that end, the 6th edition of European Maritime Day is going to explore in detail how coastal regions can be helped in promoting innovative and sustainable forms of tourism.

We must for instance create the appropriate economic environment and legal framework to promote innovation and investment into the sector. We must reduce the investment risk and keep the barriers to entry low for small businesses, making sure that they can not only survive but grow sustainably. We must promote skills development and diversification, improve infrastructure and connectivity, ensure maritime safety and help resorts offer year round services to make their economy more robust.

This exercise is part of a wider strategy to promote growth across the maritime sectors, which this year will give birth to strategic guidelines for European aquaculture and to new initiatives for marine renewable energies and for coastal and maritime tourism.

Meanwhile, tomorrow and on Wednesday, European Maritime Day will again pay tribute to all maritime sectors and reach out to citizens on the importance of the maritime economy. The event is always a good opportunity to take stock of progress and to focus minds on the challenges, opportunities and priorities ahead. And there is no more fitting backdrop than the island of Malta to discuss how we can make our coastal towns sustainable in turbulent economic times.

Maria Damanaki is European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

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