The call for submissions closes on 15th February 2010 at 5.00pm. The application form and guidelines are available on www.tsdu.gov.mt

EDEN IV

For the fourth consecutive year the Malta Tourism Authority is participating in the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) project. The pilot project was initiated by the European Commission in 2006 with the aim to promote sustainable tourism development models across the European Union.

The project is based on national competitions held yearly with a different theme each year. Localities which win the national competitions are awarded the title of ‘European Destinations of Excellence’ for that particular theme. Through this project the Commission effectively achieves the main aims of promoting the diversity, value and authenticity of European destinations while also creating a platform for sharing good practices through the creation of a network and promoting excellence in various forms. The project puts a great focus on the sustainability factor of destinations which is in fact the main key for winning destinations. EDEN destinations are those which manage their tourism offer with a commitment towards their environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability. Practices such as involving and respecting the local community, and creating all-year round tourism activity are very positive factors which enhance sustainability. EDEN winners are usually emerging, less-known destinations which thus help the decongestion of over-visited tourist areas.

This year’s chosen theme is Aquatic Tourism, thus, locally, only coastal localities will be eligible to participate. Additionally, eligible localities are those that have implemented a sustainable tourism initiative during the last 3 years. Initiatives have to be related to the aquatic factor, i.e. not necessarily based on water but they can also simply have a marine or aquatic theme. The call for EDEN applications is open for Local Councils and NGOs representing coastal localities.

Through the project, MTA has appointed DConsulta as the external consultant to provide assistance to interested applicants in submitting their application.

The EDEN award is a recognition award for the good practices of a destination. Winners benefit from marketing on both an EU and local level. They are featured on the official EDEN website www.edenineurope.eu , MTA website and on the EDEN Facebook page. However, most importantly, the winning destinations should use the Award as a marketing tool to attract quality visitors.

Previous EDEN competitions have awarded Nadur as the EDEN Emerging Rural Destination, the hamlet of Santa Lucija in Kercem as the EDEN Destination for its Local Intangible Heritage and Mellieha for its Protected Areas. A total of 23 European countries are participating in this year’s project, which is 75% co-financed by the European Commission.

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The call for submission has opened on the 1st December 2009 and closes on 15th February 2010 at 5.00pm. The application form and guidelines are available on www.tsdu.gov.mt. Further queries on the EDEN project should be sent to nadine.mifsud@gov.mt.