MANDATE PROPOSAL OF THE WORKING GROUP Sustainable tourism for the period

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1 MANDATE PROPOSAL OF THE WORKING GROUP Sustainable tourism for the period Establishment of the Working Group/Platform Alpine Conference decision for the establishment of the Working Group/Platform On the basis of the appropriate decision, which led to the establishment of your respective WG/PF. In case of a new foundation of the WG-PF write the proposal for a decision. In accordance with the decision of the 56th Permanent Committee (B1 b_1) it is proposed to the Alpine Conference to establish a Working Group on Sustainable Tourism. 2. Tasks within the context of the Alpine Convention Correlation with the corresponding protocol of the Alpine Convention or the Framework Convention Specification of the link between your activities and the Alpine Convention. The WG on Sustainable Tourism will delve into the topics and objectives of the Tourism Protocol of the Alpine Convention trying to assure a greater harmony between tourism and the environment, and also to address the challenges of sustainable tourism regardless of political and administrative borders in the Alps. Previous background documents to recall are: 1. the Fourth Report on the State of the Alps focusing on Sustainable Tourism and approved by the Alpine Conference through its 51st Permanent Committee on 20 November 2012; 2. the Report of the Sustainable Tourism Task Force of the Italian Presidency presented to the 56 th Permanent Committee and encouraging the continuation of the activities on the topic of sustainable tourism in the Alps (see point B1 b_1 decision 1); 3. the report of the Compliance Committee submitted to the XIII Alpine Conference which contains a list of questions elaborated by the Compliance Committee regarding the articles 5, 6 and 18 of the Tourism Protocol and article 12 of the Transport Protocol; 4. the Mandate of the UNESCO World Heritage Working Group stressing the importance of the valorisation of Alpine sites and activities through a proper use of existing international instruments and agreements; 5. the Action Plan on Climate Change in the Alps recognising the role of tourism industry in reducing GHG emissions as well as the impacts of climate change on the tourism sector and the need for sectorial adaptation and diversification in the tourist offer, which has been 1/6

2 further supported by the outcomes of international studies developed by international organisations on the matter such as the OECD Report Climate Change in the European Alps Adapting Winter Tourism and Natural Hazards Management as well as the results of EU cooperation projects such as ASP Climalptour. Contribution to the Multiannual Work Programme of the Alpine Convention (if existing) Specification of common points with the current Multiannual Work Programme of the Alpine Convention ( The Multiannual Programme mentions tourism among the five areas of priority actions to which the Convention s activities should be referred to. In this context it is of particular interest to the Tourism WG that innovative measures for guiding and diversifying the existing tourist offer can be developed and innovation and management capacity of Alpine tourism actors for a further sustainable development can be strengthened. Moreover, they want to ensure that the possible increase in tourist demand and increase in tourist flows do not have negative consequences on nature, the landscape and the environment. Contribution to the cooperation in the Alpine region Indicate the contribution of your WG/PF in the context of transnational cooperation in the Alpine region and the context of your activities in relation to sustainable development. As also stated in the Multiannual Programme a novel approach to transboundary cooperation is needed in order to increase the competitiveness of tourist regions and destinations across the Alps,. Tourism shall provide a contribution to the sustainable development of mountain regions and rural areas, bringing together, framing and promoting a wide range of tourist packages and products of sustainable tourism. Transnational cooperation in the field of sustainable tourism (articles 2 and 3) is envisaged by the Tourism Protocol asking the Parties to coordinate tourist and recreational activities on the borders, protecting the environment and tackling common challenges for the whole Alpine region. 3. Activities within the mandate period (to be updated every two years) Description of core activities Description of planned activities for the next two years and of the main activities of the thematic areas in which specific action is necessary. Explanation of the extent of your activities contributing to the spread of good practices. In order to address the objectives mentioned above, the WG on Sustainable Tourism will set up activities under the following thematic areas: 2/6

3 1) Alpine Tourism Governance Considering the conclusions of RSA IV as well as the work undertaken by the Compliance Committee concerning the verification of the implementation of the Tourism Protocol, an interest in continuing to focus on sustainable tourism has emerged. Moreover, the Tourism Protocol is a promising tool to be used as a strategic lever also to enhance green economy within the Alpine territory in the field of tourism governance. Specific policies and measures, initiatives and good practices including sustainable innovation and destination management should be collected, analysed and proposed by the WG. This may also contribute to RSA 6 on green economy from the tourism perspective. Activities: 1.1 Analysis of the contents of the Tourism Protocol and its goals in the light of green economy and in particular the role of green investment for contributing to economically viable and solid innovation and growth, decent work creation and alleviation of social problems, while improving resource efficiency and minimising environmental degradation (UNEP, Green Economy Report, 2011). A specific focus should be taken in the field of anchoring the principles of sustainability as laid down in the Tourism Protocol in innovation processes on all levels of Alpine tourism: SME, destination management organisations on local and regional level and tourism boards on federal and national level. 1.2 Deeper analysis aimed at providing expert support to the Compliance Committee, if requested, during the second phase of the compliance procedure regarding the Tourism Protocol 1.3 Drafting of a technical contribution on Sustainable Alpine Tourism focusing on green economy in line with the needs of the WG RSA6 Green Economy and also in close cooperation with this WG. A key aspect will be collecting knowledge and experiences and proposing recommendations on how to coordinate the multilevel Alpine tourism governance system including destination management as a part of it to increase the share of sustainable tourism products continuously and in coherence with the Alpine Convention. 2) The valorisation of the natural and cultural heritage of the Alps The valorisation of the natural and cultural heritage of the Alps constitutes an important element in tackling the main challenge of tourism in the Alps, which consists in harmonising economic interests with the needs of protecting nature and landscapes. In this connection communicating the natural and cultural values and integrating them into the tourism of the Alps plays a crucial role. Moreover, the actual contribution of designations (such as UNESCO World Heritage etc.) to local and regional tourist sites as well as the economic success and the environmental sustainability are also worth analysing. 3/6

4 Activities 3.1 Checking the possibilities to use different international instruments and programmes to raise awareness and valorise sites related to the Alps (e.g. the UNESCO World Heritage Convention and its Sustainable Tourism Programme, the European Charter for Sustainable tourism in PAs, the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of international importance, the Faro Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society; the ICOMOS charter on cultural routes and the Resolution CM/Res(2010)52 of the Council of Europe on the rules for the award of the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe certification). 3.2 Checking the possibilities, tools and techniques (including indicators) already available to measure the impacts, from a touristic, economic and environmental perspective, of an inscription of a site in the World Heritage List as well as of other international designations. Communication activities of the working group/platform Description of planned activities of communication and networking with other stakeholders (science, government, NGOs, etc...), as well as the popularisation and visibility of your respective topic for the population. Listing of the planned events: conferences, workshops, etc. Activities The WG can decide to hold open sessions where experts and stakeholders in the field of tourism, nature conservation and management, public administrations at different levels, academics, etc. can be invited. The organisation of several thematic workshops is foreseen, where the group works and first results are presented to and discussed with experts and local stakeholders, including experts from the tourist industry, members of the Compliance Committee, and other WGs (e.g. RSA 6) as thematically appropriate. Preparation of documentation Specification of products by the end of the term; conferences, steps taken, development projects, thematic reports, publications, brochures, etc. The WG should prepare reports or contributions, as appropriate, on the following issues: 1. The contribution of the Tourism Protocol to Green Economy in the Alps 2. Alpine Tourism Governance, including innovative, Alpine-centered destination management approaches taking note of the principle of stakeholder involvement and a balanced economicenvironmental interface 3. The impacts, from a touristic, economic and environmental perspective, of an inscription of a site in the World Heritage List The Working Group may also consider the elaboration of a synthesis table including a selection of some relevant tourist sustainability indicators suitable to be used in Alpine- 4/6

5 centred tourism, taking note of ongoing work, the existing sets of indicators for sustainable tourism and the contents and challenges highlighted by RSA4. Cooperation with other WG-PF Description of cooperation possibilities with other WG-PF. The Working Group will provide expert support as requested to the Compliance Committee aimed at complementing and enriching the contribution to the second phase of the compliance procedure The WG will cooperate with the WG RSA 6 on the role of tourism in a green economy aiming at agreeing on a suitable contribution to RSA 6 on sustainable Alpine tourism If needed, the WG can decide to cooperate with the PF Ecological Networks, especially when the outstanding natural values of a site seem to be responsible for tourist success and need to be preserved as strategic assets for tourism If needed, the WG will cooperate with PF Mountain Farming and WG Mountain Forests as well as dealing with specific resources (mountain products, food, etc.) which constitute a key aspect of the Alpine tourism offer If needed, the WG will cooperate with other PF/WGs working in the field of climate change impacts on the Alpine tourist sector If needed, consultation on the matters of tourism impact(s) and potential benefits on Alpine environment and resources can be undertaken within the WG, e.g.in coordination with other relevant WGs and PFs Activities in the scope of the EUSALP Description of possible activities in line with the EUSALP. Tourism is one of the main economic sectors in the Alps, and constitutes a significant source of income for the whole Alpine area. The work of the Working Group on Sustainable Tourism will mainly relate to pillars one and three of the EUSALP. 4. Participants and method of work Presidency Specification of the Presidency country for the next two years. Germany and Italy will jointly co-preside the WG, holding a shared responsibility on all the contents specified in the mandate. Only in this way such a joint Presidency can deliver a higher added value to the outcomes of this WG. 5/6

6 Participants Description of the composition of the WG/PF and of the (planned) cooperation with other WG/PF, organisations and initiatives. The Contracting Parties will appoint heads and members of delegations. National experts can be appointed as heads and/or members of national delegations. Observers are invited to nominate representatives to participate in the work of the Working Group. If appropriate, additional experts can be appointed upon suggestion in case of specific needs arising from the discussions and deliberations of the group either by the presidency of the WG or its members. Method of work Precise information on the course of events, in which the normal rhythm of meetings is twice a year. From 2 to 3 meetings a year can be envisaged. 6/6