Doc. 9432

7 May 2002

Fragile expansion of the tourist industry in relation to the erosion of the Mediterranean coastline

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Rigoni and others

1.       Countries in the Mediterranean basin are now more dependent than before on an expanding tourist industry to generate wealth (GDP) and provide a livelihood and source of income for a constantly growing section of the population. The economic boom of recent years is directly and indirectly linked to the steady, progressive rise in tourism flows, an increase which is partly due to greater demand from within the countries in question and partly to a steep upsurge in the number of tourists from European and non-European countries.

2.       The growth of the tourist industry has laid the foundations for the creation of modern, vibrant businesses capable of appreciably increasing employment opportunities in the hotel industry and tourism, seaside resorts, campsites, cafés, restaurants and bars, recreation and leisure activities and the service sector generally.

3.       Taking these considerations into account, there is a need to tackle the problem of coastal erosion in the countries of the Mediterranean basin, a phenomenon that has perceptibly reduced the width of the beach in recent years. This erosion has been highlighted by studies, research and experiments carried out in the various countries, affording an overview of the situation which reveals the morphological and sedimentary processes at work as well as the natural and human causes at both regional and local level.

4.       The Parliamentary Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       use the studies which have been carried out to adopt policies for the prevention of erosion and environmental protection of the Mediterranean coastline;

ii.       identify mechanisms and policies to target and develop the tourist industries of the regions in question.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Rigoni, Italy, EPP

Agramunt, Spain, EPP

Azzolini, Italy, EPP

Bianco, Italy, EPP

Budin, Italy, SOC

de Puig, Spain, SOC

Goris, Belgium, LDR

Grignon, France, EPP

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Gubert, Italy, EPP

Martínez Casan, Spain, EPP

Nessa, Italy, EPP

Oliverio, Italy, SOC

Pourgourides, Cyprus, EPP

Rivolta, Italy, EPP

Rogozin, Russia, EDG

Schellens, Belgium, SOC

Schreiner, France, EDG

Škrabalo, Croatia, LDR

Toshev, Bulgaria, EPP

de Zulueta, Italy, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group