Improving Governance systems & Cooperation of stakeholders: good practices and policy recommendations
Rivers are a common good and should be managed through strong partnerships, with a strong committment not only to management, but stewardship of these delicate ecosystems.
River tourism involves a complex network of stakeholders, as well as different local authorities and management systems. All STAR Cities partners’ regions share a common challenge: how to bring together key stakeholders and engage them through a joint strategy, working towards a common goal and vision – managing river tourism in the best and most sustainable possible way. Cooperation with various stakeholders coming from public, private, and non-governmental sectors, as well as cross-sectorial collaboration, are crucial in this process.
STAR Cities selection of good practices
| Partners | Good practices | Description |
| Hamburg | Kurs Elbe joint strategy | Six tourism regions have joined forces to jointly develop tourism along the Elbe, from Hamburg to Wittenberge. |
| Lazio Region/Rome | Agenda Tevere | An association of NGOs and citizens that aims to collaboratively retrain the urban trait of Tiber River in Rome. |
| Hamburg | Elbe Cycle Path | The cycling route stretches along the river Elbe, one of the most untouched rivers in Europe, and through Hamburg region. |
| Hamburg | Day-trip Tourism Campaign | 22 regional DMOs have joint forces to promote lesser-known destinations for day trips in and around Hamburg. |
| Ljubljana | Barjanka cycling race | Event in the Ljubljansko barje Nature Park connecting sport, tourism, culture, nature, and education. |
| Ljubljana | Regional Destination Organization of Ljubljana Region | Units 26 municipalities in developing joint tourism products, strengthening of collaboration in planning, design and marketing. |
| NECSTouR | The Vltava, a river full of experiences | Joint strategy introducing the Vltava river and its surroundings as one attractive tourism destination in Czeck Republic. |
| Val-de-Marne | Cap sur la Marne joint strategy | Implementation of joint actions by 4 DMOs along 50km of Marne river : tourist activities, events, communication and promotion. |
| Val-de-Marne | A local planning tool for a balanced and sustainable management of water resources in a specific river basin. / Development of secure river routes for canoes, in collaboration with water sports clubs, tourist offices, and local authorities. |
Policy recommendations to increase efficiency of river tourism management and enhance cooperation:
- Rivers should be better positioned strategically in governance models
- Rivers need focused & cooperative river tourism strategies
- Build trust: first through pilot actions, then move to strategies
- Rivers have the potential to become tourist destinations
- Projects that come from residents or work for them in the first place are the key to success
- The evolving roles of DMOs – from marketing to management
