<(BLK0)LA ORG="CCF"> EN</(BLK0)LA>COUNCIL RESOLUTION

of 22 December 1986

on a better seasonal and geographical distribution of tourism

(86/C 340/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),

Whereas the Council Resolution of 10 April 1984 on a Community policy on tourism (4) invites the Commission to present proposals, notably with a view to facilitating tourism within the Community;

Whereas tourism deserves special attention by the Member States and Community institutions both because of its role in the economies of the Member States and its effect in terms of bringing together the people of Europe;

Whereas tourism depends to a large extent on using the natural and cultural resources of a country to attract visitors; whereas the utilization of cultural resources has already attracted the interest of the Ministers for Cultural Affairs, meeting within the Council, in their Resolution of 17 February 1986 on the establishment of transnational cultural itineraries (5);

Whereas the seasonal nature of tourist activities entails problems, in particular the under-utilization and saturation of tourist infrastructure and services during particular periods;

Whereas the seasonal and geographical distribution of tourist activities is the most effective means of facilitating the reception and transit of tourists; whereas it would be advantageous in particular from the social, employment, environment, transport and road safety points of view and also from the point of view of improved use of tourist capacity, infrastructure and services;

Whereas this distribution of tourist activities could be promoted by encouraging the development of areas offering as yet unexploited tourist attractions,

Is determined to do all in its power to achieve a better seasonal and geographical distribution of tourist activities within the Community;

Invites the Member States to:

- encourage the lengthening of the tourist seasons, better staggering of holidays and publicity campaigns to promote staggered holidays;

- send the Commission during the first quarter of each year a report on the action taken so that it can pass on the most significant experiences;

Invites the Member States to pay particular attention to the development of areas or sites whose tourist potential has not been adequately exploited, thus creating alternative tourist destinations;

Invites the Member States to notify the Commission of the dates of school holidays and, if possible, of traffic forecasts, particularly those regarding saturation of road infrastructure, so that it can disseminate such information as appropriate;

Invites the Member States to collaborate with one another and with the Commission so as to coordinate efforts to achieve a better seasonal and geographical distribution of tourism.

(1) OJ N° C 114, 15. 5. 1986, p. 8.

(2) Opinion delivered on 12 December 1986 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(3) Opinion delivered on 17 September 1986 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(4) OJ N° C 115, 30. 4. 1984, p. 1.

(5) OJ N° C 44, 26. 2. 1986, p. 2.