Coastal and maritime tourism is a key component of the tourism sector and one of the engines of the blue economy in the EU, employing 3.2 million people and generating 18 billion euros a year.

The European Strategy for more Jobs and Growth in Coastal and Maritime Tourism encourages local businesses to up their game and offer new, memorable experiences to customers by developing more targeted tourist packages. In 2016 alone the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund is providing more than 8.5 million euros for blue growth, including projects that help to develop sustainable coastal and maritime tourism throughout Europe.

In addition, the European Commission is supporting this development by publishing a number of calls for proposals in this field.

The Commission will publish a call for proposals for the development of Thematic Nautical Routes for Europe in November 2016. Today, 36 million tourists in Europe regularly go on nautical holidays, using 6 million boats and 4,500 marinas. With today's holidaymakers looking for proposals that go beyond the classic "sea and sun" holidays, this call will help to better link nautical tourism to other activities and interests, for instance cultural heritage.

The European Commission is also making available 345 000 euros for projects developing Thematic Routes on Underwater Cultural Heritage, thereby turning Europe's rich natural and cultural heritage into a sustainable touristic attraction.

Finally, the EU is supporting training and skills development to help improve the service and quality that tourists experience. The Blue Technology call, with a €1.7 million budget for up to 5 grants, aims to develop new solutions to the challenges and opportunities in the blue economy, including underwater cultural heritage (Deadline: 30 September).

More information:

• European Strategy for more Jobs and Growth in Coastal and Maritime Tourism
• DG MARE calls planning
• "Guide on EU funding for the tourism sector" focusing on coastal and maritime tourism related projects