Thematic Overview 2007-2013 of The ERDF-ESF Programming - (Page 29)

Investments by the European funds to develop tourism and leisure activities in Réunion The company Niagara Vertical Réunion 22 062 € FEDER 31 2009 The creation of a via ferrata is a highly original concept combining the natural environment, discovery and thrills. This leisure activity is halfway between hiking and climbing and is often called «vertigo hiking». The via ferrata created by the company Niagara Vertical is situated in an outstanding site, in the east of Réunion island, near the Niagara waterfall in Sainte-Suzanne. Thanks to support from the ERDF, this project has made it possible to diversify the leisure activities available on Réunion island, also contributing to a better geographical spread of tourism activities. It provides visitors from the outside and local people with a chance to discover some of the thrills of mountain climbing. «We are keen to provide a leisure and sporting activity which is both complimentary and yet at the same time different». Extract from the website www.niagara-vertical.net. THE «COMPETITIVENESS» AND «CONVERGENCE» OBJECTIVES 3 %3 % 7 %7 % € 178.4 € 178.4 M M € 100.9 € 100.9 M M Percentage total total programming Percentage of theof the ERDF ERDF programming for theconvergence objective devoted to for theconvergence objective devoted to the theme of "Tourism" the theme of "Tourism" Percentage total total programming Percentage of theof the ERDF ERDF programming for thecompetitiveness objective devoted for thecompetitiveness objective devoted to theto the theme of "Tourism" theme of "Tourism" During the 2007-2013 programming period, a total of 1,108 projects were programmed under this theme, i.e. 158 projects per year, of which the average ERDF funding was €250,000 935 were deployed in metropolitan France, including more than a hundred in 5 regions (Centre, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrénées, ProvenceAlps-Riviera, Rhône-Alps). In the outermost regions (OMR) a total of 173 projects were implemented. Among the fields covered by the «tourism» theme, we should note the presence of many projects which seek to improve tourism-related services. The «tourism» theme represented 3% of the programmed ERDF funds for the «competitiveness» objective, and 7% for the «convergence» objective, with respective sums of €178.4 and €100.9 million. The focus was particularly on improvements to tourism-related services with €96.2 million programmed in this area in metropolitan France and €88.7 million in the OMR. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the budgetary envelope devoted to tourism was also programmed for the promotion and enhancement of natural heritage sites, particularly in the regions of metropolitan France (approximately €73 million). 3 2 http://www.niagara-vertical.net

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Thematic Overview 2007-2013 of The ERDF-ESF Programming

Cover
Summary
Improving institutional capacities at a national, regional and local level
Reducing costs hindering the development of outermost regions (OMR)
Technical assistance
Research, technological development and entrepreneurial spirit
The information Society
Transport
Energy
Environment and risk prevention
Tourism
Culture
Urban/rural regeneration
Improving the capacities of workers, companies and company managers
Improving access to employment and sustainability
Improving the social inclusion of disadvantaged persons
Development of human capital
Investments in social infrastructure
Promoting reforms in the fields of employment and social inclusion

Thematic Overview 2007-2013 of The ERDF-ESF Programming