Aid for the tourism sector has been published to support its recovery through modernisation, energy improvements, environmental efficiency and accessibility. An opportunity for all of us to improve our tourism destination.
The Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Innovation, Transport and Trade of the Government of Cantabria has just published the call for grants aimed at tourism companies for investments in tourist accommodation, restaurants, cafés and bars and tourism camps, among other activities, financed with resources from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the ERDF Operational Programme 2014-2020 for Cantabria as part of the Union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (REACT-EU).
The grants directed at the tourism sector are intended to enable investment to achieve modern, efficient, profitable, environmentally friendly and socially responsible hospitality. They will help the tourism sector meet a series of challenges, previously postponed due to lack of financial resources, which can be turned into opportunities for modernising production processes and improving the developments planned for their facilities through imagination and creativity. Challenges such as:
- The reduction of energy costs in any of the alternatives it may incorporate (savings, generation, efficiency, contracting, etc.)
- Improvements to environmental aspects and social responsibility linked to the consumption of water, oils and other raw materials, their treatment, management and recycling
- Advances in the application of the most intelligent and efficient home automation systems for hospitality facilities, where it is desired to automate processes.
- Progress in the incorporation of air-conditioning processes and techniques (cooling and heating) that, in addition to comfort, provide greater savings and efficiency.
- Innovation in production, communications, management, storage, quality, leisure technologies, improving performance not only economically but also technically.
- Creation of new services and products equipped with the most characteristic elements of the moment, which makes them creative, well-timed and novel.
- Everything related to adapting spaces to meet criteria for
It is necessary to stress this last section, as it represents an opportunity for the private sector to join in with all municipal initiatives to create accessible public spaces and services. This is an authentic challenge that can help to consolidate an inclusive and accessible tourism destination, in which all options for public use (municipal services, health services, beaches, museums, the urban environment, walking routes, etc.) are accessible to all people, removing the current barrier for groups with certain disabilities, namely the inability to enjoy our municipality fully due to the scarce supply of accommodation, dining and commerce that is properly adapted and is accessible to all people.