The main aim of the project is to initiate a process on defining and developing sustainable tourism destinations and to help regions overcome current social, economic and environmental constraints through the exploration and adoption of relevant policies and good practice. For this purpose the partners will carry out research into interpreting the concept of Sustainable Tourism Destination in their relevant contexts, compile information on issues to face in the process of becoming a sustainable tourism destination, undertake surveys and define good practices that could be applicable on a partner level. Recommendations to various levels of authorities will be devised. The project will be also supported by an ambitious media campaign, which will draw attention to the issues accompanying the process.

The central aim of CREST is to explore and begin to address the issue associated with the development of sustainable tourism destinations in the partner areas, to help them overcome their current social, economic and environmental constraints, through the exploration and adoption of relevant policies and good practice. The long-term impacts that the project will aim to acheive are that: Tourism resources are preserved for future use whilst still permitting and encouraging their enjoyment today. Tourism activities in the partner areas are planned and carried out in a manner that protects and enhances the social, economic and environmental conditions of the locality. The quality of the tourist experience is improved to make the areas more attractive destinations. The effects of tourism are experienced across a wider proportion of local society. The authorities will be able to plan future development with strategic planning instruments. Information and educational activities are implemented to promote favorable attitudes to establishing sustainable tourism destinations. The development of new higher education interdisciplinary programmes, on coastal and sustainable tourism management.

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcomes of the CREST project is that a number of new sustainable tourism policies should be adopted, not only on a regional level, but also transnationally. A sufficient number of new tourism offers, including a toolkit on strategic planning instruments on sustainable tourism, will also be produced during the project.

Activities

The project comprises the following set of linked project activities, in five distinct phases. Defining a sustainable tourism destination Defining the current situation - Assessment of the problems partners face in becoming a sustainable tourism destination. Addressing the issue of the problems partners face in becoming a sustainable tourism destination. To establish good practice in sustainable tourism that has been proven to work in other areas in Europe, using in-house resources and external experts, and share the information with other partners to ensure a consistent approach. This phase is interlinked with the two previous one. Publicity and dissemination - Promotion strategy.

Reported Outcomes

The aim of CREST is to define a definition for sustainable tourism destinations in the North Sea region and set guidelines to address the economical, social and ecological issues for these tourism destinations. The project wants to explore how tourist destinations throughout Europe can share experiences and create sustainable tourist destinations. Having solved the common definition of sustainable tourism, the project will develop a toolkit in which all North Sea coastal communities can use to develop sustainable tourist destinations. Participating destinations are Orkney Islands, island of Læseo in Denmark, the islands of Koster in Sweden, the islands of Hvaler in Norway and the coastal town of Whitby in the UK. The project unites coastal communities sharing the same challenge and aims to be a great place to live at and a great place to visit today and for future generations. The final result will be guidelines for sustainable tourism destinations for the North Sea region and provide a toolkit to help implementing these recommendations. The guidelines will consist of an action plan, as a hard copy on the Internet. Under headlines such as Economy/Ecology/Social/Quality/Transport there will be an inspiring list of suggested activities to be put in to action for creating sustainable tourism destination. To measure number of seminars on sustainability / number of solar panels per capita / percent of local produced food with in 20 miles could be possible. The measure of CREST guidelines will be tested later on in the project. During the CREST conference in Whitby, U K 17 - 21 September 2007, the CREST partnership identified key stakeholders for the future. The input for content and added stakeholders the project will request to have before 2007 ends, and then in the beginning of 2008, the final version of the action plan will be compiled. In the middle of March 2008 there will be a final conference with media invitiation.