Event report

The event was organised as: — EUROPE DIRECT Podravje information stand, where participants were informed about the priorities of the European Commission, the institutions of the European Union, the Conference on the Future of Europe and its platform. At the stand, enrolment on the platform was possible, while at the same time we encouraged participants to submit proposals and comment on the proposals already published on the platform in order to develop further discussion on the topic of sustainable tourism. At the booth we recorded 28 visitors from citizens and representatives of local NGOs. Debate on sustainable tourism for the future of Europe. Summary of the debate: On Monday, the Ormož municipality held a discussion on the development of sustainable tourism at local and EU level. Ormož is a place that preserves a piece of nature with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, along the terraces of vineyards, with a good drop in a glass and with cakes, tünka and pumpkin oil on a plate. The PIP Institute, hosting the EUROPE DIRECT Podravje Information Point, opened a dialogue on the future of Europe by organising a discussion in the local environment. It is necessary to go to the regions and show the people that Brussels is not something so remote, but something that is here with you all. The conference is an excellent opportunity for all of you to tell this remote Brussels what is important to you, what Europe must do differently to get closer to its citizens," Jerneja Jug Jerša, Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovenia, opened the discussion. Promoting green and sustainable tourism is part of the EU’s commitment to building a sustainable economy based on a European Green Compact. This is a blueprint for transforming the EU into a fair, healthy, sustainable and prosperous society, which also requires a change in our attitudes to narration. The EU wants to be the first climate neutral continent by 2050. Jerneja Jug Jerše pointed out that this is an ambitious plan and that we can all contribute to its realisation. In July, the European Commission will propose a package of measures called ‘Fit for 55’ to achieve a 55 % reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. It is important to bear in mind that the benefits of tourism must be balanced with environmental protection, as tourism has a serious impact not only on natural and cultural resources but also on the local population. Andrej Vršič, Director of the Public Institute for Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Municipality of Ormož, presented the LIVEDRAVA project at the discussion. This is a habitat restoration project in the Natural Reserve of the Ormos Lagoon, funded by the EU Life+ financial instrument. The reserve preserves the rich biodiversity of the area with active management, while at the same time offering a genuine experience of nature and education, it represents a new development opportunity and, at the same time, is a scientific research centre for monitoring the migration of birds according to international standards. As Mr. Vršič said, the area represents a very good example in Slovenia of how a degraded industrial area becomes a nature conservation area without any intermediate steps. The discussion was continued by Danijel Vrbnjak, Mayor of the Municipality of Ormož with the presentation of the project Naša Drava, where the Municipality of Ormož represents one of the 45 members of the partnership. The project is partly EU co-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and addresses the development of sport tourism and cultural offer on the river as well as nature conservation tourism. He emphasised that they strive for an innovative, special and unique offer that will further increase the added value of local tourism and thus attract both domestic and foreign guests in these difficult times. Ksenija Flegar, v. d. Director General of the Directorate for Tourism at MGRT, assumes that the recovery of Slovenian tourism will take a long time, even up to 5 years, to restore the level from 2019 when Slovenia recorded record numbers in the field of tourism. However, she pointed out that any crisis could be an opportunity at the same time, provided that we were able to seize it. He sees the advantage of Slovenian tourism in rural areas and in small towns where there is no mass tourism, i.e. remote destinations with unspoilt nature. The goals of carbon-free tourism are included in all strategic documents and legislation that the Ministry is preparing. Cultural tourism has great potential to create growth and jobs in the EU, as, according to the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education, four out of ten tourists already choose their destination on the basis of a cultural offer. Jerneja Jug Jerše emphasised that mass tourism is neither a desire nor a need for the environment. The EU thus indirectly promotes cultural tourism through the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Common Agricultural Policy for Rural Development funds and centralised programmes such as Erasmus+ and Creative Europe. Innovative projects thus show how responsible and green tourism can support the recovery of the European economy following the COVID-19 pandemic. Municipality Ormož is also one of the destinations of the brand Jeruzalem Slovenia, which was formed with the help of the EFF. Within the framework of the project, the Municipality of Ormož has also established camper stops, Ormož marketplaces and youth hotel. The Jerusalem Slovenia brand includes local winegrowers, craftsmen and farmers, with strict evaluation criteria, as explained by Andrej Vršič. This allows them an additional sales channel and product promotion. He continued that the institution also has a conceptual draft for the project green triangle, within which they plan to set up an aquarium for freshwater fish, such as it has not yet been found in Slovenia. The Mayor of Danijel Vrbnjak continued the development plans. The municipality of Ormož plans to build infrastructure to expand the economic and business zone of Ormož. He pointed out that sustainable tourism in the background needs a strong economy, which, through its development in several areas, creates the competitiveness of the tourist resort. He concluded that when planning development, they want to emphasise what we all appreciate – a rich cultural and natural heritage. With some reservations, he also revealed that they are preparing the contents of the experiences that they offer in the form of wine and culinary stories. The kind that good and hearty people, as well as the environment, deserve. The EU’s long-term budget, together with the temporary instrument to promote the recovery of NextGenerationEU, will be the largest package of financial stimulus ever used in Europe. A total of EUR1.8 trillion will help rebuild Europe following the COVID-19 pandemic. As Jernej South Jerše explained, these funds will enable both the economy and sustainable tourism to get back on their feet. Projects will be funded to enable a better green and digital world, ready for the future, while at the same time building a more resilient Europe. She concluded with the hope that the EUR 2.5 billion requested by Slovenia will be approved as soon as possible and will be able to benefit from them. Ksenija Flegar continued the discussion by presenting how Slovenia plans to use these EU funds. She explained that the tenders they are preparing for tourism providers will aim to pursue the sustainability aspect. Together with the Ministry of Culture, they plan to renew the call for digitisation of cultural heritage, linking sustainability, tourism and digitisation. They plan to tender for renovation of accommodation infrastructure, with particular emphasis on smaller boutique accommodation providers. They also continue to develop new bold and innovative products. Finally, we presented the European Digital Covid Certificate, which will make it easier for citizens and citizens to move freely within the EU during the Covid-19 pandemic. All citizens who have been vaccinated will be able to obtain a free and secure certificate, receive a negative result of the test or get over Covid-19. The event took place as part of the decentralised events of the conference on the future of Europe, which will take place until 9 May 2022. The platform is the hub of a conference on the future of Europe. It gives you the opportunity to come by and tell us what kind of Europe you want to live in to help shape our future. However, the end of the event is not the end of the debate on the potential for developing sustainable tourism, all of you are cordially invited to continue to present your views and suggestions on the platform to help shape future EU policies. At the end of the debate on the event, Jerneja Jug Jerše added: "This is what the European institutions want to see. This debate, your good examples of what is needed and what is still to be done."The event was attended by 43 live visitors and 167 viewers participated in the online broadcast.