Competitiveness and Innovation of port cities companies
Port cities experience a large influx of visitors and passengers in connection to commercial transport, cruise activities and leisure. However, this potential demand often escapes port districts as docking is usually limited to loading and unloading. This type of action leaves behind only environmental burdens from servicing significant transit volumes and little return in terms of sustainable tourism. Therefore, cities should rethink in an urbanistic manner the relationship with their harbours and become more competitive and innovative when it comes to offering business opportunities.   The CIEVP project, “Competitiveness and Innovation of Port City Companies", aims to develop an attractive local business infrastructure geared towards an innovative sustainable tourism model. The involvement of neighbourhoods promoting favourable market conditions and the permanent participation of companies, trade associations, professional organisations, port infrastructure managers and shipping companies represent the governance methodology and innovative character of the project.  The project includes a socio-economic survey of the conditions and relationship between port activities and urban centres to define local guidelines and action plans for port infrastructure users and local businesses. Each partner city will transform significant pilot initiatives into innovative physical, immaterial or digital actions and tools. This transformation will improve and promote sustainable tourism offer and accessibility and dry port business development.