<p> PRESS European Economic and Social Committee </p><p>PRESS RELEASE No 131/2005 22 November 2005</p><p>Outcome of the public hearing held in Paestum (Italy) Tourism and culture: two forces for growth</p><p>The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised a public hearing in Paestum, Italy, as part of the preparations for its forthcoming own-initiative opinion on Tourism and culture: two forces for growth. </p><p>Tourism and culture could be two powerful drivers for growth across Europe. However, they need to be integrated into schemes which, by combining access to different tourist services, can make the most of both regional identities and Europe's vast cultural heritage – including monuments, landscapes, wine and food. </p><p>The European Union can play a determining role in developing cultural tourism in Europe, where more than a third of UNESCO's heritage sites can be found.</p><p>These were the main conclusions drawn from the public hearing on Tourism and culture: two forces for growth, which the European Economic and Social Committee organised as part of the preparations for Mr Patrizio Pesci's forthcoming own-initiative opinion. The event was held in Paestum on 18 November 2005 as part of the 8th Mediterranean Archaeological Tourism Exchange.</p><p>Mr Alfonso Andria and Mr Giovanni Pittella, Members of the European Parliament, and Mr Nicola Bono, the Italian State Secretary for Cultural Assets and Activities, took part in the hearing, together with many other guests representing organisations active in the field.</p><p>The speakers stressed the importance of the following objectives: integrating tourism and culture services into networks or grouping them together in geographic areas; establishing quality standards or a system of good practice to increase the effectiveness of service provision; improving training for tour operators; stimulating the creation of trans-Europe's tourism and cultural routes and itineraries; and developing the use of new Internet-based communication technologies for promoting and raising awareness of Europe's cultural heritage.</p><p>For more details, please contact: Karel Govaert or Christian Weger, EESC Press Office Rue Belliard 99, B-1040; Brussels Tel.: 02 546 9396/9586; Mobile phone: 0475 753 202 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.esc.eu.int/press/index_en.asp</p><p>The European Economic and Social Committee represents the various economic and social components of organised civil society. It is an institutional consultative body established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Its consultative role enables its members, and hence the organisations they represent, to participate in the Community decision-making process. The Committee has 317 members. Its members are appointed by the Council.</p><p>EN</p>