Water covers over 70% of the world’s surface and plays an important role in the economic activities of EU member states.

Thanks to technological innovation, other potential uses of water are constantly being discovered. Over the years, the EU has been active in fostering growth as well as the sustainability of activities related to the sea. This is crucial for in total, some 5.4 million Europeans are currently employed in the maritime industry, which has also become known as the “blue economy”.

In order to address the increasing importance of the sea, the European Commission launched the so-called ‘blue growth’ strategy that aims to support growth in the marine sector. The objective of this strategy is that of supporting growth by providing analysis and identifying the potential of a range of industries that are related to the sea. These include tourism, desalination, alternative energies based on hydro power, biotechnology and fisheries. This initiative is noteworthy, especially for Malta – because of our country’s sea-related economic activities and the potential to make further use of this resource.

Out of the various sectors in the marine industry, coastal and cruise tourism have weathered the crisis relatively well. Since 2007, the coastal tourism sector has experienced around 4% growth in annual average GDP. Coastal tourism is one of the major sources of income for many coastal regions because of the employment opportunities created as a result of the presence of tourists. Water sports also play a role in generating income for coastal tourism. European scuba divers for instance spend more than €1.4 billion each year.

Despite cruise tourism being a small part of the tourism sector, there has been rapid growth in the cruise industry and it currently provides employment for 150,000 people in the EU. This is partially also due to the creation, and rise in popularity, of cruise liners with large carrying capacities. Large cruise liners are able to generate more revenue, as they often carry more than 2,000 passengers and offer on-board entertainment like dinner parties and casinos.

However, the cruise tourism’s ability to contribute to the European economy is not limited to activities on cruises. It also generates significant income for many ports and cities, as cruise ships tend to take tourists to various locations along the coast, where they can disembark and spend time at their destination. In addition to the income that foreign tourists can bring to the respective destinations, the cruise industry also contributes to the economic well-being of related industries, such as ship building, maintenance and travel agencies.

The current upward trend in the coastal and cruise industries is expected to continue, with forecasts pointing to around a 29% increase in the number of employment opportunities and a 20% increase in total gross value added by 2020. This will certainly impact the Mediterranean region, which is one of the top destinations for holiday-makers. However, holiday-makers do not limit themselves to cruise tourism when it comes to choosing the perfect vacation. Other water-related activities are equally becoming more popular.

According to the European Commission, the growing popularity of marine tourism is likely to increase competition in the sector. It hence advises stakeholders in the industry to foster innovation and devise creative strategies that can provide a competitive edge over other businesses.

Whilst the current upswing in marine tourism is certainly a positive development, it also entails a number of challenges that need to be addressed. In this respect, the protection of the coastal and marine environment is of particular importance. Their condition would also have a direct impact on the influx of tourists. In order to ensure the attractiveness of a destination for tourists, efforts should be made to protect the local environment to the highest possible standards.

Current developments in the maritime sector illustrate the vast economic potential that the sea can offer, providing an important source of employment in an industry that has fared comparatively well during the economic crisis. Besides these obvious economic benefits, the industry can also play an important role from a cultural perspective, as sea-bound travel connects people across member states, providing a fertile ground for enhanced cultural exchange and closer cooperation within the European Union.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP