Huete defends that 'European regions should be consulted to decide on future investment in tourism after 2020'. - RIS3CV

The Director General of Tourism of the Comunitat Valenciana, Raquel Huete, has defended that "European regions should also be consulted to decide on priorities for future investments after 2020, in addition to consulting EU Member States". 

Huete stressed that "in this way, innovation in tourism could be encouraged from the point of view of demand in the tourism sector" and added that "it is tourism companies that drive innovation, and that is why the public authorities, which are the ones who use the European Structural and Investment Funds, must listen to the sector". 

This is what he said during his speech in Brussels as representative of the European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) in the debate on' Future priorities and areas for investment in tourism at national, regional and European level'.

In fact, the Director General of Tourism has been the spokesperson chosen to represent more than 130 ERRIN regional partners at the most important event in the EU. 

It should be noted that this debate is the most important event held in Brussels, where the entire EU is represented, during European Tourism Day, with the presence of 400 representatives of the European Commission and authorities from different countries, as well as representatives of important European sector associations and the tourism and travel industry.

During the debate, views were exchanged on existing challenges and opportunities in European Union tourism, the necessary actions were discussed at national, regional and EU level and best practices were shown to turn challenges into opportunities.

During her speech, Raquel Huete highlighted "the importance of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and the Intelligent Specialisation Strategies (S3) for regions to develop Infrastructure, products, tourist services and destinations".

In this context, he stressed that "implementing the tourism innovation ecosystems in the regions of the European Union must be the fundamental prerequisite for attracting investment, becoming part of European networks and succeeding in European subsidies", which is why he supported the maintenance of S3 as a basis for European cohesion policy after 2020.

He also stressed that "the three key priorities for European tourism are to improve the adaptation of the tourism sector by ensuring security aspects, climate change and social challenges; to boost the sustainability of tourism activity and enhance excellence through innovation". 

European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN)

The European Regions Research and Innovation Network is a unique Brussels-based platform of more than 130 regional organisations.

ERRIN promotes knowledge sharing among its members, focusing on joint actions and project partnerships to strengthen regional research and innovation capacities.

It should be noted that this is a cross-cutting network, with 14 thematic working groups, one of which is dedicated to tourism, but there are also groups on Design and Creativity, ICT, Transport, Blue Growth, and Intelligent Specialization, so ERRIN can address the problems of tourism from a cross-cutting perspective.