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Summer is definitely the busiest time for tourism in the countries of the European Union. In addition to the large capital cities, mountains and sites of cultural interest, as every year it is mainly the seaside destinations that will see a greater number of presences, especially on the southern coasts of Europe bordering the Mediterranean. Of course, for the European seaside, the tourist phenomenon is of vital importance, especially with countries like Italy, which has around 7,500 kilometres of coastline, out of a total of around 89,000 kilometres in Europe. Policies that are attentive to tourism and its development (analysing and supporting all aspects of the sector) are therefore essential to be introduced at a European level and implemented at a national level. However, there remain other factors that cannot be overlooked. First and foremost, the development of what is commonly called the ‘sea economy’. This is the protection of all those enterprises that have made the sea their business, starting with bathing, and moving on to boating, shipbuilding, and trade. Attention to each of these sectors must be very high and expressed through common, certain policies that are also geared to the sustainability over time of that great resource that is the sea for the member countries of the European Union. Innovative and urgent development strategies are therefore needed that embrace the sea economy in all its aspects. Only a renewed focus by the member states can provide the stability that is needed in the management of this unique resource.
TOURISM
One of the greatest resources, especially for countries bordering the Mediterranean, is undoubtedly seaside tourism. In order to make the tourism sector stronger, more stable, safer, and more sustainable season after season, it is important to defend and support the businesses that engage in these activities. Particularly in Italy, where these initiatives represent an absolute excellence in the sector, a correct and fair application of the Bolkestein directive is needed, so as to ensure the right combination of public interest and private entrepreneurial initiative. Only through this collaboration can we aspire to a serious and steady development of the sector. Of course, tourism development must also have a European perspective. Its enhancement must necessarily pass through a new and more active cooperation between the EU Member States. With this in mind, it will be possible to maximise the European potential and attractiveness by building, and nurturing with appropriate policies, a network of excellence in this sector.
PORTS AND THE NAUTICAL SECTOR
The care and development of tourism cannot ignore the European Union’s interest in nautical and port policies. There are various actions to be taken on this issue, which, in any case, cannot neglect dedicated policies aimed at integration at European level. Ports in particular need an interest that is not reduced to spot interventions, but that is outlined over the long term, only in this way can we really talk about relaunch policies. In particular, supporting the activities of marinas is an element of strength that can pervade the entire territory and not remain tied to the narrow contingency of the port. Then there is the (intrinsic and very often unexpressed) value that commercial ports currently in disuse can represent. Changes in world trade, vessel tonnage and, not least, fiscal and trade policies (which we will discuss later) in recent decades have in fact led some formerly busy hubs to be underutilised when not actually deserted. The loss of the commercial value of these sites cannot represent the end of the economy for those territories, but must be a factor for a different and more sustainable recovery. For this reason, policies must be studied and implemented to redevelop these places and transform them into marinas, always with a network perspective.
The development of nautical tourism is therefore the other element to focus on. In order to make navigation and the exploitation of the various hubs easier, however, action is also needed from an administrative point of view, through the revision and harmonisation of all nautical titles within the borders of the European Union. This will complete integration in this sector and accelerate development. Attention must also be paid to the hinterland. In fact, the ports must become true gateways, intermodal hubs useful for the use and development of the hinterland and the territory even several kilometres from the coast. In this way, further development opportunities are offered to the entire European territory. It is these policies that are attentive to the entire sector and the entire supply chain that can really change the perspective of European tourism.
THE SEA ECONOMY
In the long run, European policies must also come to terms with the need to support the sea economy in terms of trade and production. First and foremost, fishing must return to the centre of attention of member countries, which must recognise its importance in socio-economic terms. The regulations that may arise from this renewed attention must be respectful of the various national and local contexts, so as to guarantee not only the sustainability of resources and profitability for fishermen, but also the protection of the social and cultural heritage that this economic sector represents for the history of coastal territories and populations. Greater attention to tradition and this sector can also be, where this is possible, a driver for the growth of the tourism sector. In this case driven by the gastronomic specificities offered by the sea economy.
European shipyards, central to the economy and heavy industry, also represent know-how to be protected and enriched. Certainly an easing of fiscal competitiveness could be an element of strength compared to international competitors. This is especially with a view to not losing large orders attracted outside the borders of the European Union by the prospect of tax concessions. If the competence of European shipyards is beyond question, this must also be supported by prospects and policies that invite investors to focus on quality. At the same time, the provision, again in the medium and long term, of continuous sources of financing for the development of the sector can also be a real driving factor for the sector.
THE ETS RULES
Then there is a sore spot on which action needs to be taken, even with some haste, so as not to jeopardise the economic realities that make maritime trade their main asset. These are the costs introduced since last year by the ETS regulations on ship emissions. A set of principles that are unfortunately penalising European ports compared to their international competitors. The cost of this taxation, which falls on ships docking in European ports, could lead to a collapse in traffic, particularly in the hubs (one of which is Gioia Tauro). The direct consequence is a shift towards areas not subject to this directive, which would thus create an unnatural distortion of competition, as well as a very negative impact on Italian and European ports. It is unthinkable that this focus on emissions could lead maritime trade to move away from European ports, favouring more distant locations and hubs. Especially if we then think of the need to get goods to the European market in any case. An activity that could also increase emissions in other transport sectors, making the costs fall on the economies of the member states.