Coastal and maritime tourism is the largest single maritime economic activity in terms of jobs (3.2 million in 2012), generating over 180 billion euros in gross added value. With its potential for growth and jobs, it is one of the EU's five priority areas for blue growth. But it also faces a number of challenges that have to be tackled in order to unlock this potential. The EU's strategy aims to assist Member States and stakeholders in addressing such challenges, in particular by encouraging Member States to cooperate and network across regions and borders.

Commissioner Vella highlighted that first measures are already underway, since the strategy was adopted in 2014. The "Pan-European Dialogue on cruise tourism", for instance, brought together over 200 cruise operators, port representatives and cruise destinations in March. For the first time ever, common challenges and possible solutions to develop a more integrated, competitive and sustainable cruise tourism in Europe were discussed at EU level. Looking ahead, regional dialogues promoted by stakeholders, for example for the Baltic Sea, are in the pipeline.

The Commissioner also informed Bundestag members about the ongoing consultation on ocean governance.