Sustainable Tourism Law

662 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM LAW 4. Maximizing the potential of the European Union’s policies 99 and financial instruments 100 for the development of tourism. Figure 1 – Stimulating the competitiveness of Europe’s tourism sector In February 2012, the 1 st version of the European Charter for Sustainable and Responsible Tourism was presented and the stakeholders were invited to present their commentaries and suggestions until 20 th April. 99 Coordination between different policies which impact tourism (transport, competition, internal market, taxation, consumer protection, environment, employment and training, culture and regional and rural development) to assure that the interests and needs of the industry are met during the formulation and application of the policies, beyond the implementation of the Bolkestein Directive as a way to remove the obstacles to the free provision of services and actions under the European Union’s integrated maritime policy to favour maritime and coastal tourism development. 100 The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) will support the creation of rural tourism enterprises, the development and promotion of agri-tourism and the valorisation of the cultural and natural patrimony of rural regions, including mountain areas. The different European structural funds (ERDF and ESF), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), as well as the framework programme for research and development can continue to finance the implementation of specific tourism projects. The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) assumes a particular importance for tourism, considering that since 2008 it has supported the creation of European networks that favour a competitive and sustainable tourism.