TOURISM

[pic] | EUROPEAN COMMISSION |

Brussels, 29.3.2010

COM(2010)117 final

2010/0063 (COD)

Proposal for a

REGULATION (EU) No …/…. OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

CONCERNING EUROPEAN STATISTICS ON TOURISM

(Text with EEA relevance)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL |

110 | Grounds for and objectives of the proposal The importance of the tourism sector for the economic, social and cultural development of Europe is generally acknowledged. Council Directive 95/57/EC of 23 November 1995 on the collection of statistical information in the field of tourism[1] provided for the establishment of an information system on tourism statistics at European Union level. The Directive has helped create national data collection systems with data on the capacity and occupancy of accommodation establishments from a business perspective, and on tourism demand from a visitors’ perspective. The current availability of a system of tourism statistics in the European Union would not have been possible without the Directive. Although this system has been a success, both users and producers of the data have underlined the need for it to be updated. On the one hand, the rapidly changing nature of the tourism market since the Directive entered into force has created new or different user needs in terms of changed variables and breakdowns and more timely data. On the other hand, there is still scope for improving the comparability and completeness of the framework by doing more to harmonise the variables and concepts. One spin-off is that there are likely to be more of the basic tourism statistics that are needed for the compilation of tourism satellite accounts (TSA). |

120 | General context The aim of this proposal is to update and optimise the existing legal framework for European statistics on tourism, namely Council Directive 95/57/EC. Over the past decade, communications from the Commission and resolutions passed by the European Parliament have called for changes to the legal basis of tourism statistics. Since the Directive came into force, both the tourism industry and the demand for tourism have undergone significant changes. In line with the requirement that official statistics should be relevant, i.e. that they should satisfy current and potential user needs, the proposal revises such variables as tourist expenditure, and takes into account recent phenomena such as more short trips of less than four overnight stays or the use of the internet for booking trips. From a supply side perspective, the proposal responds to changes in user needs, e.g. for data on bedroom occupancy. It also updates the deadlines for data transmission. The proposal further harmonises the variables and concepts and also significantly improves the completeness of tourism statistics, for instance by covering all rented accommodation and including statistics on same-day visitors and non-holiday makers, for which there is heavy demand. The proposal is also mindful of the necessary trade-off between user needs on the one hand and the burden on respondents and national statistical institutes on the other. New variables or breakdowns are offset by doing without some of the existing requirements under the Directive. The level of additional requirements, especially information from businesses, is intended to keep the overall burden comparatively stable. As regards the information to be collected from households or tourists, the efficiency of data collection and the respondent burden is monitored by introducing rotating questions for variables that are expected to be of a more structural nature and by introducing the transmission of micro-data for statistics on tourism trips. The aim here is to enable the national data compilers to share mirror statistics on the basis of a harmonised compilation of tourism statistics, and to arrive at a convergence of concepts, definitions and reporting formats for the data transmitted. If it were to prove impossible to update the legal framework, European statistics on tourism might lose some of their relevance and this could jeopardise sound decision-making in the policy areas that are linked to tourism. |

130 | Existing provisions in the area of the proposal As this proposal is designed to update the current provisions and adjust to new needs, the existing legal basis — namely Council Directive 95/57/EC — should be repealed. |

140 | Consistency with the other policies and objectives of the EU The crucial role that tourism plays in generating growth and jobs in the European Union was stressed by the European Council in its Presidency Conclusions of 14 December 2007. The growing importance of tourism, and its impact on other policy areas ranging from regional policy, diversification of rural economies, maritime policy, employment, sustainability and competitiveness to social policy and inclusion (‘tourism for all’), make it necessary to adjust the statistical system. |

Consultation of interested parties and impact assessment |

Consultation of interested parties |

211 | Consultation methods, main sectors targeted and general profile of respondents The period 2004-2009 has seen intensive technical consultations with data producers in the framework of the European Statistical System in the relevant task forces and working groups. On several occasions, the national data producers have been asked to involve their national stakeholders in the discussions. There have also been consultations within the Commission (DGs ENTR, AGRI, MARE, REGIO, SANCO, ENV, EAC, TREN, EMPL) and with stakeholders from the industry. |

212 | Summary of responses and how they have been taken into account This proposal is the result of in-depth negotiations between all interested parties; it takes account of the priorities among the additional user needs and balances them against the additional burden of collection and compilation to which they could give rise. |

Collection and use of expertise |

221 | Scientific/expertise domains concerned The national representatives on DG Eurostat’s Working Group on Tourism Statistics are experts with knowledge of the existing legislation and the national systems for collecting and compiling tourism statistics. Experts on tourism or tourism-related policy analysis in the relevant Commission departments were consulted. |

222 | Methodology used Between 2004 and 2008, Eurostat's proposals were discussed by task forces made up of representatives from the national statistical institutes or research departments of the national tourism authorities, other Commission departments and external stakeholders. These proposals were then submitted to the plenary Working Group, which discussed them. Furthermore, in the first half of 2007, Eurostat conducted bilateral consultations with other Commission departments for which tourism may be relevant. |

223 | Main organisations/experts consulted National statistical institutes, national tourism authorities, Commission departments, stakeholders from the industry (e.g. HOTREC and EFFAT). |

2249 | Summary of advice received and used No mention was made of any potentially serious risks with irreversible consequences. There was general agreement among the experts that the legal basis for tourism statistics needed updating. |

225 | The advice received from the experts during the many meetings and consultation rounds has resulted in a balanced proposal, which satisfies user needs in, for instance, the field of maritime policy or the social dimension of tourism, while still taking into account the efficiency of data collection, so as to minimise the additional burden on respondents. |

226 | Means used to make the expert advice publicly available Task Force and Working Group documents and minutes are available through CIRCA. |

230 | Analysis of effects and implications Option 1 (baseline option, i.e. no new European Union involvement). If the European Union were to take no new action, the comparability and harmonisation of tourism statistics across Europe would be weakened and, in a setting where intra-EU tourism accounts for the dominant share, the opportunities to make efficient use of tourism statistics compiled by partner countries on the basis of common concepts and reporting formats would not be fully exploited. Where tourism statistics from official sources are not harmonised or not available, or only partially available because they are provided voluntarily, it is necessary to use commercial sources. As a result, the quality of the data might suffer and the effectiveness of their use in the abovementioned policymaking might even be put at risk. Option 2 (European Union involvement as proposed). The proposed framework for European statistics makes the data more comparable and thus more relevant for users at both European and national level. Additionally, the use of common concepts and reporting formats can help to make the collection and use of tourism statistics more efficient, e.g. by not collecting information on the same trip in both the country of residence and the Member State visited. |

Legal elements of the proposal |

305 | Summary of the proposed action The objective of this Regulation is to establish a common framework for the systematic production of European statistics on tourism, by means of the collection, compilation, processing and transmission by the Member States of harmonised European statistics on tourism supply and demand. |

310 | Legal basis Article 338 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides the legal basis for European statistics. It sets out the requirements relating to the production of European statistics, stating that they must conform to standards of impartiality, reliability, objectivity, scientific independence, cost-effectiveness and statistical confidentiality. |

320 | Subsidiarity principle The subsidiarity principle applies insofar as the proposal does not fall within the exclusive competence of the European Union. |

The objectives of the proposal cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States for the following reason(s). |

321 | Comparability is a central quality concern for any statistical data. The Member States cannot achieve comparability to the necessary extent without a clear European framework, i.e. European legislation laying down common statistical concepts, reporting formats and quality requirements. To this end, there has been European legislation in the field of tourism statistics since 1995. However, users and producers have called for an update. |

323 | Action by Member States alone would adversely affect the Member States’ interests for the following reason. Since tourism, in addition to its domestic component, also has an important international dimension in terms of inbound and outbound tourism, the tourism authorities of the Member States want to have internationally comparable statistical information available. Without such statistics - collected and compiled using a common framework at European Union level - the relevance and effectiveness of the (national) systems of tourism statistics would be diminished. Furthermore, the lack of a common framework using common concepts and reporting formats would jeopardise or completely rule out the possibility of exchanging mirror statistics. |

Action at European Union level will better achieve the objectives of the proposal for the following reason(s). |

324 | The objectives of the proposal can be better achieved at European Union level on the basis of a European legal act, because only the Commission can coordinate the necessary harmonisation of statistical information at European Union level; the collection of data and compilation of comparable statistics on tourism, on the other hand, can be organised by the Member States. The European Union may therefore take action to this end in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the TEU. |

325 | As regards using qualitative indicators to demonstrate that the objective can be better achieved by the Union, since the aim of the proposal is to produce harmonised European statistics on tourism, it can only be put into effect at European Union level. The proposal will lead to more comparable and thus more relevant data. |

327 | The proposal aims to harmonise concepts, subjects covered and characteristics of the required information, coverage, quality criteria and reporting deadlines and results, in order to achieve relevant, timely, comparable and coherent European statistics. However, it is up to the Member States to decide how to collect the data, since the national data compilers are best placed to make a judgement on the most appropriate methodology and data sources. For this reason, the European Union initiative on methodological standards will be limited to the production, in close cooperation with the Member States, of a set of recommended guidelines. |

The proposal therefore complies with the subsidiarity principle. |

Proportionality principle The proposal complies with the proportionality principle for the following reason(s). |

331 | In accordance with the principle of proportionality, the Regulation confines itself to the minimum required to achieve its objective and does not go beyond what is necessary for that purpose. It does not specify the data collection mechanisms for each Member State, but merely defines the data to be supplied so as to ensure harmonised structure and timing. |

332 | The reduced frequency of data transmission in some instances, and the opportunity to make greater use of sources other than surveys (e.g. administrative sources or appropriate statistical estimation techniques), should reduce the financial and administrative burden on national, regional or local authorities, on economic operators and on citizens. |

Choice of instruments |

341 | Proposed instrument: Regulation. |

342 | Other means would not be adequate for the following reason(s). The selection of the appropriate instrument depends on the legislative goal. Given the information needs at European level, the tendency with European statistics has been to use regulations rather than directives as the basic acts. A regulation is preferable because it lays down the same law throughout the European Union, leaving the Member States with no leeway to apply it incompletely or selectively. It is directly applicable, which means that it does not need to be transposed into national law. Directives, in contrast, aim to harmonise national laws. They are binding on Member States as regards their objectives, but leave to the national authorities the choice of the form used to achieve these objectives. They also have to be transposed into national law. The use of a regulation is in line with other statistical legal acts adopted since 1997. |

Budgetary implication |

409 | The proposal per se has no implications for the budget of the European Union. Nevertheless, and subject to the availability of relevant appropriations entered in the budget of the European Union, Member States may receive from the Commission a financial contribution of a maximum of 70% of the costs eligible under the rules on grants in the Financial Regulation, in relation to future possible ad hoc modules as referred to in Article 3(3) of the proposal. |

Additional information |

510 | Simplification |

511 | The proposal provides for simplification of administrative procedures for public authorities (EU or national) and for private parties. |

513 | The reduction of the breakdown of supply-side data by regions, the possibility of limiting the scope in terms of the size of the tourist accommodation establishments, and the abolition of transmission of quarterly data for demand-side statistics will simplify the work of EU and national administrations. |

514 | The possibility of limiting the scope of data collection on the capacity and occupancy of tourist accommodation establishments will reduce the burden on respondents, especially micro-enterprises. Giving Member States the freedom to produce the necessary figures by using a combination of sources (surveys, but also administrative data or estimation procedures) is intended to lighten the burden on respondents – enterprises and households alike. |

520 | Repeal of existing legislation The adoption of the proposal will lead to the repeal of existing legislation. |

560 | European Economic Area The proposed act concerns an EEA matter and should therefore extend to the European Economic Area. |

2010/0063 (COD)

Proposal for a

REGULATION (EU) No …/…… OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

CONCERNING EUROPEAN STATISTICS ON TOURISM

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 338(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the proposal to the national Parliaments,

After consulting the European Statistical System Committee,

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,

Whereas:

1. The European Council, in its Presidency Conclusions of 14 December 2007, stressed the crucial role that tourism plays in generating growth and jobs in the EU and called on the Commission, Member States, industry and other stakeholders to join forces in the timely implementation of the Agenda for a sustainable and competitive European tourism.

2. Any appraisal of the competitiveness of the European Union's tourism industry, which occupies an important place in the economy of the Member States with tourist activities representing a large potential source of employment, requires a good knowledge of the volume of tourism, its characteristics, the profile of the tourist and tourism expenditure.

3. Monthly information is needed in order to measure the seasonal influences of demand on tourist accommodation capacity and thereby help public authorities and economic operators develop more suitable strategies and policies for improving the seasonal spread of holidays and tourism activities.

4. The majority of European businesses operating in the tourism industry are small or medium-sized, and the strategic importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in European tourism is not confined to their economic value and their substantial job-creation potential. They also underpin the stability and prosperity of local communities, safeguarding the values of hospitality and local identity that are the hallmark of tourism in Europe’s regions. Given the size of SMEs, the potential administrative burden needs to be considered, and a system of thresholds should be introduced so that users’ needs can be met, while at the same time reducing the burden of response on the parties responsible for providing statistical information, particularly SMEs.

5. The changing nature of tourism behaviour since the entry into force of Council Directive 95/57/EC of 23 November 1995 on the collection of statistical information in the field of tourism[2], with the growing importance of short trips and same-day visits contributing substantially in many regions or countries to the income from tourism, the increasing importance of non-rented accommodation or accommodation in smaller establishments, and the growing impact of the internet on the booking behaviour of tourists and on the tourism industry, means that the production of tourism statistics must adapt to new developments.

6. To assess the macro-economic importance of tourism in the European economies based on the internationally accepted framework of tourism satellite accounting, the need to improve the availability, completeness and comprehensiveness of the basic tourism statistics as an input for compiling such accounts and, if deemed necessary by the Commission, as preparation for a subsequent legislative proposal for the transmission of harmonised tables for tourism satellite accounts, requires that the legal requirements which are currently laid down in Directive 95/57/EC be updated.

7. In order to examine major issues of economic and social concern in the tourism sector, especially new issues requiring specific research, the Commission needs micro-data. Tourism in Europe has a predominantly intra-European dimension, which means that micro-data emanating from harmonised European statistics on the demand for outbound tourism provide a burden-free source of statistics on inbound tourism demand for the Member State of destination, thus avoiding duplicated observation of tourism flows.

8. A recognised framework at Union level can help to guarantee reliable, detailed and comparable data, which will in turn enable the structure and development of tourism demand and supply to be properly monitored. Sufficient comparability at Union level is essential as regards methodology, definitions and the programme of statistical data and metadata.

9. Under the terms of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics[3], which constitutes the reference framework for the provisions of this Regulation, statistics should be collected to high standards of impartiality, transparency, reliability, objectivity, scientific independence, cost-effectiveness and statistical confidentiality.

10. In the production and dissemination of European statistics under this Regulation, the statistical authorities at national and Union level should take account of the principles set out in the European Statistics Code of Practice adopted by the Statistical Programme Committee on 24 February 2005 and attached to the Recommendation of the Commission on the independence, integrity and accountability of national and Community statistical authorities[4].

11. Since the collection and compilation of comparable and comprehensive European statistics on tourism cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States, due to the absence of common statistical features and quality requirements and a lack of methodological transparency, but can, by applying a common statistical framework, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

12. In the light of changes in the tourism industry and in the type of information required by the Commission and by other users of European statistics on tourism, the provisions of Directive 95/57/EC are no longer suitable. As the legislation in this field needs to be updated, Directive 95/57/EC should be repealed.

13. A Regulation is the appropriate way of ensuring the use of common standards and the production of comparable statistics.

14. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission[5].

15. The Commission should be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union for the purpose of adapting the definitions, the subjects covered and the characteristics of the required information, the scope of observation and the deadlines for data transmission.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Subject matter

This Regulation establishes a common framework for the systematic production of European statistics on tourism.

For this purpose, Member States shall collect, compile, process and transmit harmonised statistics on tourism supply and demand.

Article 2

Definitions

16. For the purposes of this Regulation:

17. ‘reference period’ shall mean a period to which data refer;

18. ‘reference year’ shall mean a reference period of one calendar year;

19. ‘NACE Rev. 2’ shall mean the common statistical classification of economic activities within the Union, as established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council[6];

20. ‘NUTS’ shall mean the common classification of territorial units for the production of regional statistics within the Union, as established by Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council[7];

21. ‘tourism’ shall refer to the activity of visitors taking a trip to a main destination outside the usual environment, for less than a year, for any main purpose, including business, leisure or other personal purpose, other than to be employed by a resident entity in the place visited, and shall cover both overnight visitors and same-day visitors;

22. ‘usual environment’ shall refer to the geographical area, though not necessarily a contiguous one, within which an individual conducts his regular life routines and shall be determined on the basis of the following criteria: the crossing of administrative borders or the distance from the place of usual residence, the duration of the visit, the frequency of the visit, the purpose of the visit;

23. ‘domestic tourism’ shall refer to visits within a Member State by visitors who are residents of that Member State;

24. ‘inbound tourism’ shall refer to visits to a Member State by visitors who are not residents of that Member State;

25. ‘outbound tourism’ shall refer to visits by residents of a Member State outside that Member State;

26. ‘national tourism’ comprises domestic and outbound tourism;

27. ‘internal tourism’ comprises domestic and inbound tourism;

28. ‘tourist accommodation establishment’ refers to a local kind-of-activity unit, as defined in the Annex to Council Regulation (EEC) No 696/93[8], providing as a paid service - although the price might be partially or fully subsidised - short-term or short-stay accommodation services as described in groups 55.1 (hotels and similar accommodation), 55.2 (holiday and other short-stay accommodation) and 55.3 (camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks) of NACE Rev. 2;

29. ‘non-rented accommodation’ shall include accommodation provided without charge by family or friends and accommodation in owner-occupied vacation homes, including time share properties.

30. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 9 for the purpose of adapting the definitions in paragraph 1.

Article 3

Subjects covered and characteristics of the required information

31. For the purposes of this Regulation, the data to be provided by the Member States in accordance with Article 7 shall relate to:

32. internal tourism, in terms of the capacity and occupancy of tourist accommodation establishments, for the variables, periodicity and breakdowns laid down in Sections 1, 2 and 3 of Annex I;

33. internal tourism, in terms of tourism nights spent in non-rented accommodation, for the variables, periodicity and breakdowns laid down in Section 4 of Annex I;

34. national tourism, in terms of the tourism demand, which concerns the participation in tourism and the characteristics of tourism trips and visitors, for the variables, periodicity and breakdowns laid down in Sections 1 and 2 of Annex II;

35. national tourism, in terms of the tourism demand, which concerns the characteristics of same-day visits, for the variables, periodicity and breakdowns which shall be established by the Commission by delegated acts. Those delegated acts shall be adopted in accordance with Article 9.

36. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 9 for the purpose of adapting the subjects covered and the characteristics of the required information as well as the content of the Annexes.

37. Any ad-hoc module over and above the required information shall not exceed a period of one year and shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 12(2) at least three months before the start of the reference period. The volume of such ad-hoc modules shall not be more than five variables.

Article 4

Scope of observation

38. The scope of observation for the requirements laid down in Article 3(1)(a) shall be all tourist accommodation establishments as defined in Article 2(1)(l), unless otherwise specified in Annex I.

39. The scope of observation for the requirements laid down in Article 3(1)(b) shall be all tourism nights by residents and non-residents spent in non-rented accommodation.

40. The scope of observation for the requirements laid down in Article 3(1)(c) as regards the data on participation in tourism shall be all individuals residing in the territory of the Member State, unless otherwise specified in Section 1 of Annex II.

41. The scope of observation for the requirements laid down in Article 3(1)(c) as regards the data on characteristics of tourism trips and visitors shall be all tourism trips with at least one overnight stay outside the usual environment by the resident population and which started during the reference period, unless otherwise specified in Section 2 of Annex II.

42. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 9 for the purpose of establishing the scope of observation for the requirements laid down in Article 3(1)(d) as regards the data on characteristics of same-day visits.

43. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 9 for the purpose of adapting the scope of observation for the requirements laid down in Article 3(1).

Article 5

Quality criteria and reports

44. Member States shall ensure the quality of the data transmitted.

45. For the purposes of this Regulation, the quality criteria as laid down in Article 12(1) of Regulation (EC) 223/2009 shall apply.

46. Every year, Member States shall provide the Commission (Eurostat) with a report on the quality of the data relating to the reference periods in the reference year, and on any methodological changes that have been made. The report shall be provided within nine months after the end of the reference year.

47. In applying the quality criteria referred to in paragraph 2 to the data covered by this Regulation, the modalities and structure of the quality reports shall be defined by the Commission in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 12(2).

Article 6

Data sources

As regards the basis on which the information is collected, Member States shall take whatever measures they deem appropriate to maintain the quality and comparability of the results. Member States may produce the necessary statistical information by using a combination of the following different sources:

(a) surveys, where reporting units are asked to give timely, accurate and complete information;

(b) other appropriate sources, including administrative data, if these are appropriate in terms of timeliness and relevance;

(c) appropriate statistical estimation procedures.

Article 7

Transmission of data

48. Member States shall transmit the data, including confidential data, to the Commission (Eurostat) in accordance with the existing provisions in the European Union on transmission of data subject to statistical confidentiality.

49. Member States shall transmit the data listed in Annex I and in Section 1 of Annex II in the form of aggregate tables, in accordance with an interchange standard specified by the Commission (Eurostat). The data shall be transmitted or uploaded by electronic means to the single entry point for data at the Commission (Eurostat). The practical arrangements for the transmission of the data shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 12(2).

50. Member States shall transmit the data listed in Section 2 of Annex II in the form of micro-data files - with each observed trip being an individual record in the transmitted dataset - which have been fully checked, edited and, where necessary, imputed, in accordance with an interchange standard specified by the Commission (Eurostat). The data shall be transmitted or uploaded by electronic means to the single entry point for data at the Commission (Eurostat). The practical arrangements for the transmission of the data shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 12(2).

51. Member States shall transmit:

52. the annual data listed in Sections 1 and 2 of Annex I within six months after the end of the reference period, unless otherwise specified in Annex I;

53. the monthly data listed in Section 2 of Annex I within three months after the end of the reference period;

54. the rapid key indicators relating to nights spent by residents and non-residents in tourist accommodation establishments, as listed in Section 2 of Annex I, within eight weeks after the end of the reference period;

55. the data listed in Section 4 of Annex I within nine months after the end of the reference period, if the Member State concerned opts in favour of transmitting them;

56. the data listed in Annex II within six months after the end of the reference period; for Section 2 of Annex II, complementary data records of tourism trips that began but did not end during the reference period can be transmitted within nine months after the end of the reference period.

57. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 9 for the purpose of adapting the transmission deadlines laid down in paragraph 4.

58. For all data required by this Regulation, the first reference period shall begin on 1 January of the calendar year following the year in which this Regulation enters into force.

Article 8

Methodological manual

The Commission (Eurostat) shall, in close cooperation with Member States, draw up and regularly update a methodological manual which contains guidelines on the statistics produced pursuant to this Regulation, including definitions to be applied to the characteristics of the required information and common standards designed to ensure the quality of the data.

Article 9

Exercise of the delegation

59. The powers to adopt the delegated acts referred to in Articles 2(2), 3(1)(d) and (2), 4(5) and (6) and 7(5) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time.

60. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.

61. The powers to adopt delegated acts are conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in Articles 10 and 11.

Article 10

Revocation of the delegation

62. The delegation of power referred to in Articles 2(2), 3(1)(d) and (2), 4(5) and (6) and 7(5) may be revoked by the European Parliament or by the Council.

63. The institution which has commenced an internal procedure for deciding whether to revoke the delegation of power shall inform the other legislator and the Commission at the latest one month before the final decision is taken, stating the delegated powers which could be subject to revocation and the reasons for a revocation.

64. The decision of revocation shall put an end to the delegation of the powers specified in that decision. It shall take effect immediately or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of the delegated acts already in force. It shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union .

Article 11

Objections to delegated acts

65. The European Parliament or the Council may object to the delegated act within a period of two months from the date of notification. At the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council this period shall be extended by one month.

66. If, on expiry of that period, neither the European Parliament nor the Council has objected to the delegated act, or if, before that date, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they have decided not to raise objections, the delegated act shall enter into force on the date stated in its provisions.

67. If the European Parliament or the Council objects to the adopted delegated act, it shall not enter into force. The institution which objects shall state the reasons for objecting to the delegated act.

Article 12

Committee

68. The Commission shall be assisted by the European Statistical System Committee.

69. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof. The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be three months.

Article 13

Repeal

Directive 95/57/EC is repealed.

Member States shall provide results in accordance with Directive 95/57/EC for all reference periods of the year in which this Regulation enters into force.

Article 14

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, […]

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President […] […]

ANNEX I

Internal tourism

Section 1: Capacity of tourist accommodation establishments

A. Variables and breakdowns to be transmitted for annual data

1) At regional NUTS level 2 and at national level

Type of accommodation | Variables | Breakdowns |

NACE 55.1 | Number of establishments Number of bed places Number of bedrooms | Type of locality (a) and (b) |

NACE 55.2 | Number of establishments Number of bed places | Type of locality (a) and (b) |

NACE 55.3 | Number of establishments Number of bed places | Type of locality (a) and (b) |

2) [optional] At national level only

Type of accommodation | Variables | Breakdowns |

NACE 55.1 | Number of establishments Number of bed places Number of bedrooms | Size class |

B. Limitation of the scope

1) For ‘hotels and similar accommodation’ and for ‘holiday and other short-stay accommodation’, the scope of observation shall at least include all tourist accommodation establishments having ten or more bed places.

2) For ‘camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks’, the scope of observation shall at least include all tourist accommodation establishments having ten or more pitches.

3) Member States accounting for less than 1 % of the total annual number of nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments in the European Union may further reduce the scope of observation, to include at least all tourist accommodation establishments having twenty or more bed places (twenty or more pitches).

Section 2: Occupancy of tourist accommodation establishments (domestic and inbound)

A. Variables and breakdowns to be transmitted for annual data

1) At regional NUTS level 2 and at national level

Type of accommodation | Variables | Breakdowns |

Total (all types of tourist accommodation establishments) | Number of nights spent by residents at tourist accommodation establishments Number of nights spent by non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments | Type of locality (a) and (b) |

NACE 55.1 | Number of nights spent by residents at tourist accommodation establishments Number of nights spent by non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

Arrivals of residents at tourist accommodation establishments Arrivals of non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

Net occupancy rates of bed places Net occupancy rate of bedrooms |

NACE 55.2 | Number of nights spent by residents at tourist accommodation establishments Number of nights spent by non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

Arrivals of residents at tourist accommodation establishments Arrivals of non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

NACE 55.3 | Number of nights spent by residents at tourist accommodation establishments Number of nights spent by non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

Arrivals of residents at tourist accommodation establishments Arrivals of non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

2) At national level only

Type of accommodation | Variables | Breakdowns |

NACE 55.1 | Number of nights spent by residents at tourist accommodation establishments Number of nights spent by non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments | Type of locality (a) and (b) Country or geographical area of residence of the guest [optional] Size classes |

Arrivals of residents at tourist accommodation establishments Arrivals of non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments | Country or geographical area of residence of the guest |

Net occupancy rates of bed places Net occupancy rate of bedrooms | [optional] Size classes |

NACE 55.2 | Number of nights spent by residents at tourist accommodation establishments Number of nights spent by non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments | Type of locality (a) and (b) Country or geographical area of residence of the guest |

Arrivals of residents at tourist accommodation establishments Arrivals of non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments | Country or geographical area of residence of the guest |

NACE 55.3 | Number of nights spent by residents at tourist accommodation establishments Number of nights spent by non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments | Type of locality (a) and (b) Country or geographical area of residence of the guest |

Arrivals of residents at tourist accommodation establishments Arrivals of non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments | Country or geographical area of residence of the guest |

B. Variables and breakdowns to be transmitted for monthly data at national level

Type of accommodation | Variables | Breakdowns |

NACE 55.1 | Number of nights spent by residents at tourist accommodation establishments Number of nights spent by non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

Arrivals of residents at tourist accommodation establishments Arrivals of non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

Net occupancy rates of bed places Net occupancy rate of bedrooms |

NACE 55.2 | Number of nights spent by residents at tourist accommodation establishments Number of nights spent by non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

Arrivals of residents at tourist accommodation establishments Arrivals of non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

NACE 55.3 | Number of nights spent by residents at tourist accommodation establishments Number of nights spent by non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

Arrivals of residents at tourist accommodation establishments Arrivals of non-residents at tourist accommodation establishments |

C. Limitation of the scope

1) For ‘hotels and similar accommodation’ and for ‘holidays and other short-term accommodation’, the scope of observation shall at least include all tourist accommodation establishments having ten or more bed places.

2) For ‘camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks’, the scope of observation shall at least include all tourist accommodation establishments having ten or more pitches.

3) Member States accounting for less than 1 % of the total annual number of nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments in the European Union may further reduce the scope of observation, to at least include all tourist accommodation establishments having twenty or more bed places (twenty or more pitches).

4) Where a limitation to the scope as described under (1), (2) or (3) is applied, an estimate of the total number of nights spent during the reference year by residents and non-residents in the tourist accommodation establishments excluded from the scope of observation shall be transmitted annually.

5) For the first reference year for which data is required by this Regulation, the estimate as described under (4) shall be transmitted within twelve months after the end of the reference period.

6) Member States may further reduce the scope of observation for the net occupancy rate of bedrooms in hotels and similar accommodation, to include at least all tourist accommodation establishments having 25 or more bedrooms.

D. Rapid key indicators

The rapid key indicators referred to in Article 7(4)(c) of this Regulation are the variables referring to the number of nights spent as listed under heading B.

Section 3: Classifications to be applied for Section 1 and Section 2

A. Type of accommodation

The three categories to be used for type of accommodation, referring to NACE groups 55.1, 55.2 and 55.3, are:

- hotels and similar accommodation

- holidays and other short-term accommodation

- camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks

B. Type of locality (a)

The three categories to be used for type of locality (a), referring to the degree of urbanisation of the municipality (or equivalent local administrative unit) where the tourist accommodation establishments are located, are:

- densely populated area

- intermediate area

- thinly populated area

C. Type of locality (b)

The two categories to be used for type of locality (b), referring to the location close to the sea of the municipality (or equivalent local administrative unit) where the tourist accommodation establishments are located, are:

- coastal

- non-coastal

D. Size class

The three categories to be used for size class, referring to the number of bedrooms in the tourist accommodation establishments, are:

- small establishments: less than 25 bedrooms

- medium-sized establishments: between 25 and 99 bedrooms

- large establishments: 100 or more bedrooms

E. Countries and geographical areas

The categories to be used for the country or the geographical area of residence of guests staying at tourist accommodation establishments are:

- European Union (EU); to be reported separately: the Member States of the EU

- European Free Trade Association (EFTA); to be reported separately: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland (including Liechtenstein)

- other European countries (apart from EU or EFTA; not including Russia, Turkey, Ukraine)

- Russia

- Turkey

- Ukraine

- Africa; to be reported separately: South Africa

- North America; to be reported separately: United States of America, Canada

- South and Central America; to be reported separately: Brazil

- Asia; to be reported separately: People’s Republic of China, Japan, Republic of Korea

- Australia, Oceania and other territories; to be reported separately: Australia.

Section 4: Internal tourism in non-rented accommodation

A. Variables to be transmitted for annual data

[optional] Number of tourism nights spent in non-rented accommodation during the reference year.

B. Breakdown

[optional] The variable listed under heading A shall be broken down by country of residence of the visitors as far as EU residents are concerned, while visitors residing outside the EU shall be grouped in a single additional category.

ANNEX II

National tourism

Section 1: Participation in tourism

A. Variables and breakdowns to be transmitted for annual data

Variables | Breakdowns by duration and by destination of tourism trips for private/personal purpose | Socio-demographic breakdowns |

1. Number of residents, aged 15 or over, participating in tourism for private/personal purpose during the reference year 2. Number of residents, aged 15 or over, not participating in tourism for private/personal purpose during the reference year | a) Any trip (i.e. having made at least 1 trip of at least 1 overnight stay) b) Domestic trips only (i.e. having made at least 1 domestic trip of at least 1 overnight stay, but no outbound trips) c) Outbound trips only (i.e. having made at least 1 outbound trip of at least 1 overnight stay, but no domestic trips) d) Domestic and outbound trips (i.e. having made at least 1 domestic trip of at least 1 overnight stay and at least 1 outbound trip of at least 1 overnight stay) e) Short trips (i.e. having made at least 1 trip of 1 to 3 overnight stays) f) Long trips (i.e. having made at least 1 trip of 4 or more overnight stays) g) Long trips, domestic trips only (i.e. having made at least 1 domestic trip of 4 or more overnight stays, but no outbound trips of 4 or more overnight stays) h) Long trips, outbound trips only (i.e. having made at least 1 outbound trip of 4 or more overnight stays, but no domestic trips of 4 or more overnight stays) i) Long trips, domestic and outbound trips (i.e. having made at least 1 domestic trip of 4 or more overnight stays and at least 1 outbound trip of 4 or more overnight stays) | 1. Gender 2. Age group 3. [optional] Educational level 4. [optional] Employment situation 5. [optional] Household income |

The breakdowns by duration and by destination of tourism trips for private/personal purpose shall be combined with the socio-demographic breakdowns.

B. Variables and breakdowns to be transmitted for triennial data

Variables | Breakdowns by main reasons for not participating in tourism during the reference year (with multiple answer possibilities for the respondents) | Socio-demographic breakdowns |

1. Number of residents, aged 15 or over, not participating in tourism during the reference year (i.e. not having made any trip with at least 1 overnight stay for private reasons during the reference year) | a) Financial reasons (no money available for holiday trips, cannot afford to go on holiday) b) Lack of free time due to family commitments c) Lack of free time due to work or study commitments d) Health reasons e) Prefer to stay at home, no motivation to travel f) Safety g) Other reasons | 1. Gender 2. Age group 3. [optional] Educational level 4. [optional] Employment situation 5. [optional] Household income |

The breakdowns by main reasons for not participating in tourism during the reference year shall be combined with the socio-demographic breakdowns.

The first reference year for the triennial variables shall be the second calendar year following the year in which this Regulation enters into force.

C. Classifications to be applied for socio-demographic breakdowns

1) Gender: male, female.

2) Age group: less than 15 [optional], 15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65 or over, with subtotals for 25-44 and 45-64.

3) Educational level: lower (ISCED 0, 1 or 2), middle (ISCED 3 or 4), higher (ISCED 5 or 6).

4) Employment situation: employed (employee or self-employed), unemployed, student (or pupil), other not in the labour force.

5) Household income: in quartiles.

Section 2: Tourism trips and visitors making the trips

A. Variables to be transmitted

Variables | Categories to be transmitted | Periodicity |

1. | Month of departure | Annual |

2. | Duration of the trip in number of nights | Annual |

3. | [Only for outbound trips] Duration of the trip: number of nights spent on the domestic territory | Triennial |

4. | Main country of destination | following the country list in the methodological manual drawn up under Article 8 of this Regulation | Annual |

5. | Main purpose of the trip | a) Private/personal: leisure, recreation and holidays b) Private/personal: visiting relatives and friends c) Private/personal: other (e.g. pilgrimage, health treatment) d) Professional/business | Annual |

6. | [Only for trips for private/personal purpose] Type of destination, with multiple answer possibilities | a) City b) Seaside c) Countryside (including lakeside, river, etc.) d) Cruise ship e) Mountains (highlands, hills, etc.) f) Other | Triennial |

7. | [Only for trips for private/personal purpose] Participation of children in the travel party | a) Yes b) No | Triennial |

8. | Main means of transport | a) Air (flight or other air services) b) Waterway (passenger lines and ferries, cruises, pleasure boat, rented vessel, etc) c) Railway d) Bus, coach (scheduled or non-scheduled) e) Motor vehicle (private or rented) f) Other | Annual |

9. | Main means of accommodation | a) Rented accommodation: hotels or similar accommodation b) Rented accommodation: campsites, caravan or trailer park (non residential) c) Rented accommodation: other rented accommodation (health establishments, youth hostels, marinas, etc) d) Non-rented accommodation: own holiday home e) Non-rented accommodation: accommodation provided without charge by relatives or friends f) Non-rented accommodation: other non-rented accommodation | Annual |

10. | Booking of the trip: use of a tour operator or travel agency to book the main means of transport | a) Yes b) No c) Don’t know | Triennial |

11. | Booking of the trip: use of a tour operator or travel agency to book the main means of accommodation | a) Yes b) No c) Don’t know | Triennial |

12. | [Only for trips where no tour operator or travel agency was used to book the main means of transport or the main means of accommodation] Booking of the trip (independent) | a) The services were booked directly with the service provider b) No booking was needed | Triennial |

13. | Booking of the trip: package trip | a) Yes b) No | Triennial |

14. | Booking of the trip: internet booking of the main means of transport | a) Yes b) No c) Don’t know | Triennial |

15. | Booking of the trip: internet booking of the main means of accommodation | a) Yes b) No c) Don’t know | Triennial |

16. | Expenditure of the individual tourist during the trip on transport | Annual |

17. | Expenditure of the individual tourist during the trip on accommodation | Annual |

18. | Other expenditure of the individual tourist during the trip, to be reported separately (18b): durables and valuable goods | Annual |

19. | Profile of the visitor: gender, using the following categories | a) Male b) Female | Annual |

20. | Profile of the visitor: age, in completed years | Annual |

21. | Profile of the visitor: country of residence | Annual |

22. | [optional] Profile of the visitor: educational level | a) Lower (ISCED 0, 1 or 2) b) Middle (ISCED 3 or 4) c) Higher (ISCED 5 or 6) | Annual |

23. | [optional] Profile of the visitor: employment situation | a) Employed (employee or self-employed) b) Unemployed c) Student (or pupil) d) Other not in the labour force | Annual |

24. | [optional] Profile of the visitor: household income in quartiles | Annual |

B. Limitation of the scope

The scope of observation shall be all tourism trips with at least one overnight stay outside the usual environment by the resident population and which started during the reference period, the population under 15 years of age being optional.

C. Periodicity

1) The first reference year for the triennial variables and categories listed under headings A(3), A(6), A(7) shall be the second calendar year following the year in which this Regulation enters into force.

2) The first reference year for the triennial variables and categories listed under headings A(10) to A(15) shall be the third calendar year following the year in which this Regulation enters into force.

[1] OJ L 291, 6.12.1995, p. 32.

[2] OJ L 291, 6.12.1995, p.32.

[3] OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 164.

[4] COM (2005) 217 final.

[5] OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

[6] OJ L 393, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

[7] OJ L 154, 21.6.2003, p. 1.

[8] OJ L 76, 30.3.1993, p. 1.