This workshop aims to strengthen the role of cluster organizations and networks as drivers for growth and jobs in the maritime and coastal tourism sectors in Europe. It will also explore cluster-driven linkages between the sector and with other related industries: creative industries, marine and maritime heritage, fishing activities ...
The European Commission wishes to give impetus to the cooperation between coastal and maritime tourism stakeholders, in line with Action 4 of its Communication "A European Strategy for more growth and jobs in coastal and maritime tourism". which supports the "development of transnational and interregional partnerships, networks, clusters and smart specialisation strategies".
The Commission encourages the creation of competitive clusters as well as trans-sectorial and cross-border partnerships, in order to facilitate business cooperation between their members, especially SMEs.
Clusters and networks are powerful instruments for innovation and growth at regional and local level. Cluster organisations and transnational networks are often appropriate intermediaries to facilitate business cooperation also between other clusters and networks, operating in the same or different sectors.