No C 293/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 11. 88 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Decision on an action programme for the European Tourism Year 
(1990) 
COM(88) 413 final 
(Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 18 October 1988) 
(88/C 293/18) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community and in particular Article 235, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European 
Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic an Social 
Committee, 
Whereas the integrating role of tourism can be availed of 
in order to promote the achievement of the large area 
without frontiers of 1992; 
Whereas tourism promotes greater mutual knowledge of 
cultures and life styles of Member States among their 
citizens, especially young people; 
Whereas tourism represents an economic sector of major 
importance for Members States of the Community; 
Whereas the European Parliament in its resolution of 22 
January 1988 on the facilitation, promotion and 
financing of tourism proposed that 1990 be declared the 
European Tourism Year; 
Whereas the Ministers responsible for tourism stressed 
the importance of tourism for the completion of the 
internal market at their informal meetings of 6 May 1988 
and 3 September 1988; 
Whereas the most serious problem confronting tourism 
in Europe is its over-concentration in the high season 
with congestion of trasport and accommodation services 
as well as detrimental effects for the natural and 
man-made environment and under-utilization of capital 
and human resources in the low season; Whereas it is therefore important to encourage a better 
utilization of existing tourism infrastructure and 
equipment and that European Tourism Year should 
present a valuable opportunity of attaining this objective; 
Whereas European Tourism Year can promote greater 
awareness throughout the Community of the oppor­
tunities and benefits of all-year round tourism for the 
regions of the Community; 
Whereas efforts should be made during European 
Tourism Year to encourage citizens of all Member 
States, especially young people, to travel abroad to 
acquire greater awareness of the reality of Europe; 
Whereas specific powers for this purpose are not 
expressly provided for in the Treaty and Article 235 
must, therefore, be invoked; 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
1990 shall be declared European Tourism Year. 
Article 2 
The objectives of European Tourism Year are to: 
— prepare the coming of the large area without internal 
frontiers using the integration role of tourism to 
advantage; 
— promote greater knowledge of cultures and life styles 
by citizens of Members States especially the young; 
— stress the economic importance of the tourism sector 
in the completion of the internal market; 
17. 11. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 293/13 
— promote a better distribution of tourism over time 
and location, the staggering of holidays, alternatives 
to mass tourism and new destinations; 
— promote intra-Community and international tourism 
in Europe; 
These objectives will be pursued through coordinated 
activities of the Community, Member States and private 
organizations. 
Article 3 
The amount deemed for the implementation of the 
programme for the European Tourism Year, within the 
limits of appropriations included in the annual budget, is 
5 million ECU. The arrangements for financing the 
programme are described in Annex I which forms an 
integral part of the present Decision. 
Article 4 
The Commission, in consultation with the Steering 
Committee, shall take appropriate measures to 
implement the programme, particulary in regard to the 
co-ordination of public and private tourism organiz­
ations in the Member States. 
Article 5 
The Steering Committee will be chaired by a represen-
ANNEX I 
ACTIVITIES ENVISAGED FOR EUROPEAN TOURISM YEAR 
A. Activities without financial implications for the Community budget 
Voluntary action to be undertaken by public and private operators in the travel/tourism sector: 
— price reductions in transport and accommodation during the low season 
— use of the common logo and slogan of European Tourism Year in regular publicity campaigns 
— spread of information on European Tourism Year through the mass-media. 
B. Activities co-financed by the Community budget 
1. Pilot actions by public and private bodies to encourage new approaches to promote off-season 
tourism and cultural, rural and social tourism. 
Estimated cost: ECU 1 000 000 
2. Actions by public and private organizations to develop travel by young persons between the ages of 
15 and 25 aimed at greater knowledge of cultures and life-styles of other Member States. 
Estimated cost: ECU 1 000 000 
Financial assistance of up to 40 % of the cost of the operation could be granted. Applications for 
grants should be submitted to the Commission by Member States after they have made an initial 
choice of projects on the basis of potential efficacity to attain the objectives set out in the Decision. tative of the Commission and will comprise represen­
tatives of Member States. Representatives of professional 
Tourism organizations at Community level will be 
invited to participate in the work of the Committee as 
observers. 
The Committee shall be consulted on the subject of the 
preparation and coordination of the activities mentioned 
in Annex I. 
At the request of the Chairman or one of its members, 
the Steering Committee may consider any other question 
relating to the objectives mentioned in Article 2. 
Article 6 
Member States which wish to receive Community 
financial support for the pursuance of the actions 
mentioned in Article 2 will be invited to identify projects 
as mentioned in Annex I that are suitable for Community 
financing and to control their execution and report to 
the Commission of the European Communities. 
Article 7 
The Commission shall inform the Council on the 
progress of the work and shall submit a final report on 
the implementation of the programme to the Council 
and to the European Parliament. 
No C 293/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 11. 88 
The Commission after receiving the opinion of the steering Committee provided for in Article 5 of 
the Decision on the applications submitted by Member States in regard to eligibility, priority and, as 
far as possible equity of distribution at Community level, will inform the Committee of its decision to 
support or reject particular projects or request additional information. 
Decisions on grants will be taken quarterly by the Commission in respect of applications received in 
the preceding quarter according to the following table: 
Applications submitted during 
First quarter 1989 
Second quarter 1989 
Third quarter 1989 
Fourth quarter 1989 
First quarter 1990 
Second quarter 1990 Decisions to be taken 
end of second quarter 1989 
end of third quarter 1989 
end of fourth quarter 1989 
end of first quarter 1990 
end of second quarter 1990 
end of third quarter 1990 
Projects selected for grants should be designated 'Community projects for European Tourism Year'. 
The competent authorities of the Member States shall have the responsibility for the control and 
carrying out of Community projects for European Tourism year. 
On their completion, they shall submit payment applications to the Commission accompanied by a 
report on their execution and all necessary proof of costs incurred. 
C. Activities to be financed entirely from the Community Budget 
1. Administrative expenses and year logo 
— remuneration of temporary staff engaged by the Commission 
— rent of office and equipment for preparation of European Tourism Year 
— logo for European Tourism Year. 
Estimated cost 1989: ECU 300 000 
Estimated cost 1990: ECU 500 000 
2. Competitions and prizes 
Prizes for competitions shall be provided as follows: 
— Best organisation of welcome of tourists by a town or village in each Member State 
Estimated cost: ECU 15 000 
— Best welcome for young people by youth hostel or similar establishment in each Member State 
Estimated cost: ECU 72 000 
— Best organisation, presentation and promotion of three cultural itineraries involving several 
Member States 
Estimated cost: ECU 75 000 
— Best artistic production by young people on the theme of travel in Europe: 
— one photographic competition 
Estimated cost: ECU 45 000 
17. 11. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 293/15 
— one short film competition: 
Estimated cost: ECU 45 000 
— Best tourism display in a secondary school 
Estimated cost: ECU 24 000 
— Best drawing of travel in Europe in a secondary or primary school 
Estimated cost: ECU 24 000 
Total estimated cost: ECU 300 000 
3. Information and publicity campaigns 
In the mass media of all Member States for off-season tourism, cultural, social and rural tourism and 
other means of information on alternative destinations. 
Estimated cost 1989: ECU 900 000 
Estimated cost 1990: ECU 1 000 000