Maximising synergies between tourism, high-end and creative industries

 

The Call for Proposals COS-WP2014-3-15.02 “Maximising synergies between tourism, high-end and creative industries” has been published by the European Commission, Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME).

 

The general purpose of the present “Maximising synergies between tourism, high-end and creative industries” call is to support the development and promotion of one (new) European Route around one high-end / luxury product, to test the possibility of developing synergies between the tourism and the high-end industries at European level.

 

In the framework of this general purpose, the objective of the current “Maximising synergies between tourism, high-end and creative industries” call is to complement regional and national policies by supporting trans-European cooperation aimed at designing innovative transnational products capitalising on European shared cultural and/or industrial heritage, with a view to contributing to diversify European tourism offer.

 

The “Maximising synergies between tourism, high-end and creative industries” call aims to:

- facilitate exchanges of good practices, the development of networks and of discussion platforms between public decision-makers and the private sector, in the fields of cultural and industrial tourism;

- facilitate and stimulate public-private partnerships and the integration of enterprises of the cultural tourism sector into regional development strategies;

- improve the quality of the European tourism offer by a strengthened cross-border cooperation; and/or

- strengthen the management skills of public or private bodies in charge of developing thematic tourism products.

 

The theme of the current “Maximising synergies between tourism, high-end and creative industries” call falls under "transnational cultural or industrial heritage related tourism products" The call. is open to three high-end products which have been selected on the basis of their economic potential and capacity to diversify European offer during the low/medium season in a wide range of Members States: i) perfume, ii) chocolate, iii) jewellery.

 

The applicants of the current “Maximising synergies between tourism, high-end and creative industries” call are free to propose any kind of action in line with this call’s objectives such as: market analysis leading to the identification of a common theme related to the European cultural or industrial heritage; mapping of attractions/sites/destinations and tourism and cultural services that could be linked to the identified theme; identification of additional partners, key stakeholders and sponsors; business plan based on an analysis of the "carrying capacities" along the identified transnational product, networking, awareness raising, etc.

 

The expected result from the current “Maximising synergies between tourism, high-end and creative industries” call is the development and/or promotion of a European Route crossing over at least 5 Member States and showing key steps of the product’s value chain. The Route is expected to cover the historical and contemporary dimensions (how Europeans used to and are cooperating, competing, …).

 

The consortium under the current “Maximising synergies between tourism, high-end and creative industries” call must be composed of a minimum of five different legal entities representing at least five eligible countries. Applicant organisations must be legal entities and they must be Public authorities, Training and education establishments or research centres, Destination management organisations, Travel Agents and Tour Operators, Chambers of commerce, industry and crafts or similar bodies, Non-profit / Non-governmental organisations, International, European and national associations active in the field of tourism or Private bodies.

 

The total budget earmarked for the co-financing of projects is estimated at EUR 400 000. The maximum grant per project will be EUR 400 000. The EASME expects to fund one proposal. Maximum duration of action is 12 months. The EU grant is limited to a maximum co-funding of 75 % of the total eligible costs. The EASME reserves the right not to distribute all the funds available.

 

The deadline for submitting proposals in the framework of the current “Maximising synergies between tourism, high-end and creative industries” call for proposals is 4 November 2014.

 

Further information on the current call for proposals is available on the European Commission’s web site at: http://ec.europa.eu/easme/tourism-creative-industries_en.htm.