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Collaborations key to boost sustainable tourism in North Sea

03/04/2024
2 minutes

The 3ST project brings together almost all seven countries of the North Sea Region to strengthen collaboration and disseminate skills and successful approaches needed for a sustainable transition in the tourism sector.

Impact of tourism on North Sea Region

Tourism and the leisure sector are significant contributors to the North Sea Region. The region welcomes 13% of tourists visiting the EU representing almost 400 million overnight stays (Eurostat).  Therefore, tourism has a serious impact on the environment and plays an important role in the development of communities, regions and cities. However, tourism’s impact on local resources and climate change is large: the UNWTO (2019) estimates that tourism’s greenhouse gas emissions will increase to 5.3% of the global total by 2030.

With tourism being one of the fastest-growing sectors, the transition to sustainable systems is urgently needed. But what do we need to achieve this goal?    

Better skills and stronger collaboration

Through 3ST, we are strengthening the skills entrepreneurs need to make their businesses more sustainable. We also want to improve the necessary cooperation between all those involved in the sector, such as governments, entrepreneurs and suppliers. By working together more effectively as a chain and by improving the skills of entrepreneurs, we will make it easier to do business sustainably. This is a necessary step for the future of tourism and leisure businesses.

Group picture first partnermeeting

Researching collaboration: from theory to practice

In the project, three knowledge partners join forces to research and monitor collaborations. The focus on sharing knowledge regarding destination development, stakeholder motivation and models for value creating (Theory of Change). The models will be tested and evaluated in nine regional pilot projects on waste, energy and water reduction. The pilot projects will involve key actors in the tourism sector such as local authorities, SME entrepreneurs and relevant stakeholders. 

A stimulating climate for sustainable entrepreneurship

3ST will help stakeholders in tourism to implement collaborative models and sustainable practices. We'll focus on bringing multiple actors in the value chain together and use training, coaching and teamwork to create a holistic approach to sustainable tourism in the North Sea region.

The outcomes of this project include:

  • Joint strategies and action plans for organisations and entrepreneurs
  • Nine best practice cases that illustrate successful collaborations
  • More than 300 organisations that improved their skills through transnational cooperation.

Creating a better North Sea Region

Creating a more sustainable economy is one of the biggest challenges the European Union is facing. That is why the EU funds game-changing ideas that make the North Sea Region a better place. The 3ST project receives funding from the Interreg North Sea Programme 2021-2027, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.