NECSTouR has been a hub of different activities in 2009: it has been decided to consolidate the network by creating a no-profit organization, open to further adhesions, with a stable secretariat, to develop mutual learning platforms (such as the best practice detabase, soon available on this web site), two networks' conferences have been organized in 2009, in Plymouth (UK) in June and in Florence (I) in November, work is in progress both on the issue of sustainability indicators and on the thematic issues (via 5 working groups)

LATEST NEWS:

NECSTouR has become a legal association
The Brussels-based ASBL (association sans but lucratif) registration process has been completed, consequently, the official creation of NECSTouR has been announced during the South West Conference in June 2009. The network is now reinforced by a stronger legal framework. All the signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding, which are eligible for participating according to the NECSTOUR association statute,  have been invited to officially join the NECSTOUR no profit association (for more info see the 'join us' section above).

Working Groups working!
Working Groups sessions will take place at the June conference in South West. For the occasion a common methodology is proposed:

• The Action Plans will be used as starting points, so that each group will decide on focussing primarily on one action that members will be able to develop on a voluntary basis.
• At the same time, WGs will also look at actions from the Action plans that could be developed through possible EC funding opportunities.
• The persons responsible for the different tasks will be identified to ensure effectiveness and sustainability of theactions.

The latest working group documents are below.

Sustainability Indicators
Debate is open within the network on the issue of indicators. During Plymouth conference each WG has work, among other things, on specific ‘'sustainable indicators''.Exchange of info is active with the TSG group. Updates on the work on tourism sustainability indicators have been presented in Florence on the 6th of November 2009, during the VII Euromeeting conference. The final document "Indicator System for 'sustainable tourism destinations'" can be downloaded below.

EC Tourism Unit Call for proposals
Following the Commission Call for Proposals ‘'Networks for the competitiveness and sustainability of European Tourism" which has been published in January 2009 by the Commission (DG enterprise, Unit Tourism), the Executive committee agreed to respond to this call to support some of the NECSTouR activities. The outcome was the presentation of the "SMART" project proposal. For more information please contact the secretariat.

EVENTS:

The 4th NECSTouR Conference has taken place in South West England (UK) on June 17-19 June, in the University of Plymouth.

The 5th NECSTouR conference has taken place in Florence (I) on November 5th and 6th.

ALL THE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE in the 'Events' section

Below are the latest documents produced by the working groups (outcome of Plymouth conference)