A new political framework for tourism in Europe

Key points:

The EESC welcomes the Commission communication and makes a number of recommendations for strengthening and fleshing out the initiative.

First of all, the EESC again points to the possibility of setting up a European Tourism Agency which by effectively monitoring information relevant to supporting and promoting the measures outlined would bring together efforts which make real progress towards a global European tourism policy.

The EESC also believes it important to:

- encourage the setting up of a European gateway in all the EU languages;
- push for improvements to connections and communications, and update and present information on the internet;
- encourage the promotion of health and wellbeing and cultural tourism, or indeed tourism founded on an interest in wine and food, history or religion;
- enhance the quality of professional services through training and stable employment;
- encourage the governments of the Member States to support the development of small companies and micro-businesses in the tourism sector that reflect the traditions of region;
- encourage the elderly and people who are disabled or have special needs to choose destinations in Europe, by improving infrastructure and services;
- promote and publicise the level of security already provided in the EU;
- develop a more sound system of statistical monitoring and standardisation for tourism activities and relevant data;
- call for a common EU advertising strategy;
- introduce a European Vocational Certificate for tourism professions in the EU that is recognised by all the Member States;
- adopt measures to avoid structural unemployment in tourism businesses.

Other EESC opinions related to tourism:

• INT/396 - The Communication from the Commission: Agenda for a sustainable and competitive European tourism

• INT/317 - The Communication from the Commission – A renewed EU tourism policy: towards a stronger partnership for European tourism

• INT/312 - Social tourism in Europe

• INT/279 - Tourism and culture: two forces for growth

• INT/264 - The contribution of tourism to the socio-economic recovery of areas in decline

• INT/248 - Tourism policy in the enlarged EU

• INT/232 - Tourism and sport: the future challenges for Europe

• INT/231 - Tourism policy and public-private cooperation 

• ECO/335 - Outermost regions - smart growth

• ECO/300 - Specific problems facing islands

• ECO/262 - Innovation in tourism: Defining a strategy towards sustainable development in islands

• REX/330 - Rural development and employment in the Euromed region

• REX/294 - The situation of people with disabilities in the Euromed countries

  
  

   

Contact the INT Section secretariat for more information