History
On the 2nd February of 2007, the OTIE was successfully founded in Palermo. It’s a non-profit association, constituted by public institutions, Universities, Research Centres and other international organizations of 7 UE insular countries (Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, Malta e Cyprus).
Education
The activities of the Observatory are focused on updating the Databank on Insular Tourism, creating a Documentation Centre on the islands, conducting studies and research work, organizing forums and seminars and participating in European projects on cooperation and social development. OTIE offers its support in devising strategies and marketing plans on tourism, based on insular realities.
Research
OTIE Scientific Committee pursues the Observatory’s research goals:
- Carrying out new researches and studies about European Islands and sharing the goals, results and policy with the main governments and local administrations;
- Maintaining the Database of Island Bank about Tourism of Islands constantly updated;
- Attending European forums and seminars.
- Scientific Committee’s main goal consists in promoting International cooperation for research on Tourism of European islands in order to provide operating support for strategic planning.
Short Courses
Student services
OTIE International secretariat is based in Sicily (Palermo), the biggest island of Europe.It provides the information about OTIE activities and events. It supports the activities of the Scientific Committee and helps the European institutions who search partners for projects.It also facilitates the communication among the OTIE members.
Library services
The Documentation Center, launched in July 2009, aims to catalogue and keep the book and documentary heritage, basic for disciplines about tourism.
It is at disposal of the institutions, organizations, bank foundations and universities, as well as researchers and tourism experts. It collects 2.000 scientific papers, 700 books, 300 magazines and review and more than 300 e-books.
OTIE is member of the Register of Interest Representatives of the European Commission and associated member of NECSTouR.