Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories for the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (MED NSTO) brings together entities and experts working on sustainable tourism data collection & management to cooperate by sharing information, methods, standards, tools and developing joint initiatives and actions. The purpose of the MED NSTO is to fill an existing gap in the Mediterranean by offering a networking space for sharing general, technical and sectoral knowledge related to sustainable tourism data monitoring and management, thus collecting and systematizing relevant information in the field and facilitating experts’ cooperation. The final aim is to enhance a transnational dialogue between sustainable tourism observatories operating in different Mediterranean areas to converge towards shared methodologies and standards in tourism data collection and management.
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The MED NSTO Info Hub – currently in an embryo phase - takes the form of a virtual web page integrated in the Interreg MED virtual platform and linked to all existing web platforms dealing with tourism. It features a library section, a regularly updated section of news about relevant activities and events and an initial mapping of entities that contribute to build the MED NSTO. Its Roadmap foresees the sharing of tourism data management tools, platforms, best practices, etc., an updated map showing all the participants in the network, relevant results of MED and other EU programmes projects and a strategic vision for sustainable tourism planning. It is foreseen to evolve towards a fullyfledged Knowledge Center developed as a search engine and hosting a joint statistical container and joint studies coming from the observatories.
Replicability conditions
The MED NSTO initiative is open to public and private bodies involved in data collection and analysis, not only for improving the way they assess tourism trends for different purposes, but also for developing and boosting deeper analysis and their own tourism strategies. The signature of a MoU between BEST MED project and the observatories or entities working with data is needed to commit to recognise the MED NSTO as a framework for cooperation in the future, promote and mainstream the work of the MED NSTO or participate in meetings. At a more advanced stage, a number of organisations will be able to make use of the data collected, and the possibility of access by the interested general public will be also considered.