A4-0298/96

Proposal for a Council Decision on a first multiannual programme to assist European tourism, 'Philoxenia' (1997-2000) (COM(96)0168 - C4-0356/96 - 96/0127(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Citation 1a (new)

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Having regard to Declaration No 26 annexed to the Final Act of the Treaty on European Union, on the outermost regions of the Community,

(Amendment 2)

Recital 1

>Original text>

Whereas, owing to the growing importance and to the nature of tourism it is recognized that it can contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Community and in particular to growth and employment, to the reinforcement of economic and social cohesion and to the promotion of a European identity;

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Whereas, owing to the growing importance and to the nature of tourism it is recognized that it can contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Community and in particular to growth and employment, to the reinforcement of economic and social cohesion, especially in the least-favoured regions and in outermost and island regions, and to the promotion of a European identity;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 1a (new)

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Whereas there is a need to adopt appropriate economic and tax measures in the tourism sector so as to help least-favoured, outermost and island regions offset their handicaps;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 1b (new)

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Whereas tourism has still not sufficiently received the overall recognition as an industry it merits;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 2

>Original text>

Whereas Community measures should stimulate quality and competitiveness of European tourism, integrating at the same time the satisfaction of tourists' needs and the rational use of natural, infrastructural and cultural resources, thus contributing to the balanced and sustainable development of tourism;

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Whereas Community measures should stimulate quality and competitiveness of the European tourism industry, integrating at the same time the satisfaction of tourists' needs and the rational use of natural, infrastructural and cultural resources, thus contributing to the balanced and sustainable development of tourism in accordance with Agenda 21, adopted at the conclusion of the UN Conference on the Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), which converted the principle of sustainable development into practical standards to be applied to every level of human activity in terms of territory and ecosystems, to avoid, in future, the geographical and spatial over-concentration which now affects the so-called 'mature destinations';

(Amendment 6)

Recital 2a (new)

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Whereas the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on the review of the European Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development: 'Towards sustainability'1 makes clear that to accelerate the process and ensure efficient implementation of the policy defined in the programme, the Community will need to focus on five basic priorities, one of them concerning the development of sustainable tourism;

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1 OJ C 140, 11.5.1996, p. 5.

(Amendment 7)

Recital 6

>Original text>

Whereas the Commission has adopted a Green Paper on the role of the Union in the field of tourism, stimulating a deep and wide consultation process, whose conclusions presented on the occasion of the Forum on European Tourism of 8 December 1995 show that a consensus does exist as to the desirability of ensuring the continuity of Community action in the field of tourism, the need to rationalize it and the possibility of deepening it;

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Whereas the Commission has adopted a Green Paper on the role of the Union in the field of tourism, stimulating a deep and wide consultation process, whose conclusions presented on the occasion of the Forum on European Tourism of 8 December 1995 show that a consensus does exist as to the importance of a tourism policy at European level that does not give rise to further bureaucracy and regimentation, recognition of the tourist industry, the usefulness of ensuring the continuity of Community action, especially to promote small businesses and training; the need to rationalize and optimize tourist resources, and the possibility of deepening Community action of this kind;

(Amendment 8)

Recital 7

>Original text>

Whereas the European Parliament, in its resolutions of 18 January 1994, 15 December 1994, and 13 February 1996, and the Economic and Social Committee in its initiative opinion of 15 September 1994 and its opinion of 14 September 1995, have confirmed the need to strengthen Community action to assist tourism and have called for a genuine medium- and long-term tourism strategy; whereas the Committee of the Regions, in its opinion of 16 November 1995, takes the view that a more active, better coordinated Community contribution is necessary to cope with the dynamic development of tourism and the scope of tourist activities;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the European Parliament, in its resolutions of 11 June 19911, 18 January 1994, 15 December 1994, 13 February 1996 and 13 March 19962, and the Economic and Social Committee in its initiative opinion of 15 September 1994 and its Opinion of 14 September 1995, have confirmed the need to strengthen Community action to assist tourism and have called for a genuine medium- and long-term tourism strategy in the context of the single market, with the priority aim of creating jobs; whereas the Committee of the Regions, in its opinion of 16 November 1995, takes the view that a more active, better coordinated Community contribution is necessary to cope with the dynamic development of tourism and the scope of tourist activities; whereas, for all these reasons, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity, the Community and international aspects of tourism should, as a fundamental objective of the European Union, be included in the Treaty as a separate and independent sector of common policy in the context of the single market;

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1 OJ C 183, 15.7.1991, p. 74.

2 OJ C 96, 1.4.1996, p. 77.

(Amendment 9)

Recital 7a (new)

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Whereas the European Council in Florence on 21 and 22 June 1996 listed among the objectives of revision of the Treaties the need for the Union to be more closely in touch with its citizens, in particular

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- by meeting their expectations in providing a high level of employment and social protection;

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- by improving the effectiveness of environmental protection by safeguarding sustainable development;

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- by strengthening European citizenship whilst continuing to respect the national identity and traditions of the Member States;

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whereas a European-level tourism policy would accordingly help to ensure that these objectives were properly fulfilled;

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whereas the quickest way to create jobs and help the tourism industry is through the completion of the single market and the introduction of the single currency;

(Amendment 10)

Recital 7b (new)

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Whereas there is a need to include in the objectives of the Structural Funds and other Community funds the basic principles of a European-level tourism policy, namely recognition of the tourist industry, and particularly small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives, balanced and sustainable tourism, protection of the tourist as consumer, a better quality product that is more diversified as a result of training, the promotion of Europe as a tourist destination and cooperation with European third countries;

(Amendment 11)

Recital 7c (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is gratifying that, on the basis of Parliament's resolution of 11 June 1991 on a Community tourism policy1, its opinion of 14 February 1992 on the Commission proposal for a Council decision on a Community action plan to assist tourism2 and its resolution of 18 January 1994 on tourism in the approach to the year 20003, the Commission intends to publish a communication on sex tourism by the end of 1996; whereas, however, additional actions and measures are needed as part of the multiannual tourism programme, such as public-awareness campaigns and European networking initiatives to combat sex tourism, together with coordination and cooperation at global level;

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1 OJ C 183, 15.7.1991, p. 74.

2 OJ C 67, 16.3.1992, p. 235.

3 OJ C 44, 14.2.1994, p. 61.

(Amendment 12)

Recital 8

>Original text>

Whereas it is essential that there should be coherence and complementarity between the actions to be carried out under this programme and the other relevant Community programmes and initiatives affecting tourism;

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Whereas it is essential to have coherence and complementarity between the actions to be carried out under this programme and the other relevant Community programmes and initiatives affecting tourism;

(Amendment 13)

Recital 8a (new)

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Whereas the first year of operation of the Philoxenia programme will coincide with the 1997 European Year against Racism, opening the possibility for mutually beneficial and reinforcing joint action;

(Amendment 14)

Recital 9

>Original text>

Whereas the Commission is to be assisted by the Advisory Committee established by Council Decision 86/664/EEC; whereas, accordingly, the Committee set up by Article 3(2) of Decision 92/421/EEC should be abolished;

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Whereas the Commission is to be assisted by the Advisory Committee established by Article 5 of this Decision; whereas, accordingly, the Committee set up by Article 3(2) of Decision 92/421/EEC should be abolished;

(Amendment 15)

Recital 10

>Original text>

Whereas the measures set out in this Decision, complying with the principle of subsidiarity established by the second paragraph of Article 3b of the Treaty, contribute - through cooperation and coordination - added value to efforts pursued by interested parties at the local, regional, national and international level, thus allowing European tourism to overcome its weaknesses and to exploit its vast potential;

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Whereas the measures set out in this Decision, complying with the principle of subsidiarity established by the second paragraph of Article 3b of the Treaty, contribute - through cooperation and coordination - added value to efforts pursued by interested parties at the local, regional, national and international level, thus allowing European tourism to improve its prospects for the sustainable use of resources and to make balanced use of its vast potential for job creation;

(Amendment 16)

Recital 11a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Third Multiannual Programme on behalf of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)1 should take account of the fact that an overwhelming majority of businesses operating in the tourist industry are SMEs, and that for these reasons the two action programmes should join forces in a common general framework in which the distinct character of tourism SMEs is highlighted; whereas for this reason it would be desirable, before Philoxenia and the Third Multiannual Programme for SMEs come to an end, to consider whether a multiannual programme for tourism and SMEs should be created;

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1 OJ C 156, 31.5.1996, p. 5.

(Amendment 17)

Recital 12

>Original text>

Whereas a legislative and financial environment conducive to tourism should be secured, through reinforced cooperation, in order to foster the performance of European tourism;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas a legislative and financial environment conducive to tourism should be secured, through reinforced cohesion and cooperation between the Member States through the medium of the EU, in order to foster the performance of the European tourist industry;

(Amendment 18)

Recital 13

>Original text>

Whereas quality in European tourism should be enhanced by the Community through innovative schemes and incentives, with a view to the promotion of sustainable tourism and to the removal of obstacles to its development;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas quality in European tourism should be enhanced by the Community through additional innovative schemes and incentives, with a view to the promotion of sustainable tourism, training and job creation and to the removal of obstacles to tourist development;

(Amendment 39)

Recital 14

>Original text>

Whereas the promotion of Europe as a tourist destination should contribute in an increase in tourists from third countries;

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Whereas for the promotion of Europe as a worldwide tourist destination to contribute to an increase in intraCommunity tourists and those from third countries, attracted by the cultural, civil and religious events planned with a view to the year 2000, there is a need to exploit uniformly the tourist attractions of the European Union, on the basis of prior definition of a common European identity that will serve as a label for all the countries of the Union so as to utilize consistently the potential for development;

(Amendment 20)

Recital 16

>Original text>

Whereas special attention will be paid to the actions and initiatives taken in the field of tourism in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, as reflected in the Barcelona declaration and work programme adopted on 27 and 28 November 1995;

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Whereas in accordance with the Council Resolution of 13 May 1996 on Euro- Mediterranean cooperation in the tourist sector1 special attention will be paid to the actions and initiatives taken in the field of tourism in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, as reflected in the Barcelona declaration and work programme adopted on 27 and 28 November 1995; whereas this programme should accordingly be open to the Mediterranean countries concerned, taking as the basis for cooperation the development by Mediterranean third countries of tourist policies - in accordance with Agenda 21 - that do not give rise to unfair competition;

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1 OJ C 155, 30.5.1996, p. 1.

(Amendment 21)

Article 1, second paragraph (new)

>Text following EP vote>

The programme's business aspects shall be coordinated with the Third Multiannual Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

(Amendment 22)

Article 2(1), first subparagraph

>Original text>

1. The programme referred to in Article 1, incorporating the actions specified in the Annex shall, through coordination and cooperation, seek generally to stimulate the quality and competitiveness of European tourism, in order to contribute to growth and employment.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The programme referred to in Article 1, incorporating the actions specified in the Annex shall, through coordination and cooperation, seek generally to stimulate the quality and competitiveness of European tourism, in order to contribute to growth and employment and recommend that all tourist activity is developed in accordance with the concept of sustainability.

(Amendments 23 and 36)

Article 3

>Original text>

1. Criteria for granting Community financial aid, other than those stated in the second paragraph of Article 3b of the Treaty, shall include those relating to:

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1. Criteria for granting Community financial aid, other than those stated in the second paragraph of Article 3b of the Treaty, shall include those relating to:

>Original text>

- cost-efficiency;

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- cost-efficiency;

>Original text>

- a partnership approach, as far as possible of trans-national character;

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- a partnership approach, as far as possible of trans-national or transregional character, or contributing to reducing disparities with peripheral, outermost and island regions;

>Original text>

- a significant impact on Community tourism or, at least, transferability at this level;

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- a significant impact on Community tourism or, at least, transferability at this level;

>Original text>

- regard for the principle of sustainable development.

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- regard for the principle of sustainable development and improvement of the quality and safety of tourism;

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- no possibility of financing under other Community programmes or actions, other than under Article 1;

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- action to help remove the seasonal nature of employment with respect for the labour, fiscal and social legislation in force.

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1a. Where Community financial aid is granted to SMEs operating in the tourist sector, in accordance with the third multiannual programme for small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) (1997-2000), the criteria applicable for the granting of such aid laid down in paragraph 1 shall also be taken into account.

(Amendment 24)

Article 5

>Original text>

1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Advisory Committee in the field of tourism set up by Decision 86/64/EEC. The committee set up by Article 3(2) of Decision 92/421/EEC is abolished.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The Commission shall be assisted by an advisory committee comprising representatives of the Member States, users and the economic and social categories concerned operating in the tourist sector, and an official from the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism. The committee set up by Article 3(2) of Decision 92/421/EEC is abolished.

>Original text>

2. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time-limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Text following EP vote>

2. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time-limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Original text>

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

>Text following EP vote>

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

>Original text>

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

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The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

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2a. The committee shall hold meetings in public. It shall also publish the agenda of its meetings three weeks in advance, publish the minutes of its meetings and draw up a public register of its members' declarations of interests.

(Amendment 25)

Article 6(2a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2a. In accordance with the objectives and principles defined in the Declaration of Barcelona adopted following the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of 27 and 28 November 1995, this programme shall be open to the associated Mediterranean countries, on the basis of supplementary credit, in line with the same provisions applicable to the EFTA countries that are members of the EEA, and in compliance with procedures concluded with those countries under the MEDA programme. The principles and guidelines constituting the acquis communautaire (particularly in the social and environmental spheres) shall be complied with in so far as they affect tourism.

(Amendment 26)

Annex (A)

>Original text>

1. Developing tourism-related information

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1. Pooling tourism information available in the Member States

>Original text>

- Consolidation of the European statistical system for tourism, improving the availability of reliable and up-to-date statistics.

- Development of surveys, studies and desk/field analyses, taking into account the tourism industry needs.

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- Establishment of a European research and documentation network on tourism.

- Sponsorship for the creation of institutes of tourism studies in European universities.

>Original text>

2. Pooling tourism information from other sources

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2. Developing tourism-related information

>Original text>

- Establishment of a European research and documentation network on tourism.

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- Consolidation (with Eurostat) of the European statistical system for tourism developed by Directive 95/57/EC1, availability of reliable, up- to-date statistics at a cost accessible to SMEs and distributed at user level.

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- Development of surveys, studies and desk/field analyses, taking into account the present and future needs of the tourist industry and tourists; the information must be made available to the Member States, users and the economic and social categories concerned operating in the tourism sector.

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2a. Disseminating tourism information

- Provision and dissemination of any relevant information on tourism to increase the understanding of tourism by all the interested parties, and particularly SMEs.

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2b. Developing a policy for and improving the understanding of tourism SMEs

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- Coordination of the development of tourism SMEs with the policy for developing and improving knowledge of SMEs, as set out in the Third Multiannual Programme for SMEs, a tourism section in the European Observatory for SMEs, assessment of current political activities and preparation of new proposals for new Community measures in areas affecting tourist businesses, database on measures to promote small businesses in the tourist sector, extending fact-finding missions by Euro-Info Centres (EIC) to small businesses in the tourism sector.

>Original text>

3. Facilitating the assessment of Community measures affecting tourism

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3. Guaranteeing the efficiency and assessment of Community measures affecting tourism

>Original text>

- Establishment of a legal and financial watch allowing for the systematic assessment of Community measures affecting tourism.

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- Assessment of Community actions affecting tourism.

- Establishment of a legal and financial watch allowing for the fulfilment of European-level tourist policy objectives, and the systematic assessment of Community measures affecting tourism.

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- Horizontal coordination within and outside the Commission.

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- Incorporation of European-level tourist policy objectives in existing Community policies through an enhanced and improved Tourism Unit in DG XXIII.

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- Improved coordination of the Member States and consolidation of European-level tourist policy objectives in international fora, for instance within the World Trade Organization (WTO).

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1 OJ L 291, 6.12.1995, p. 32.

(Amendment 27)

Annex (B)(1), second and third indents (new)

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- Exploitation of existing structures with a view to achieving these objectives, e.g. the international tourism fairs in Europe which are global fora offering market breakdowns and supplying strategic information at a reasonable cost.

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- Drafting and consolidating codes of conduct and self-regulating mechanisms in the tourist sector (to counteract negative tourist practices such as the provision of unauthorized accommodation, the promotion of 'sexual tourism', hooliganism, etc.), support for preventive measures.

(Amendments 28 and 37)

Annex (C)(1)

>Original text>

1. Promoting sustainable tourism

- Support for local initiatives geared towards sound management of visitor flows and encouragement of their networking.

>Text following EP vote>

1. Promoting tourism that is sustainable in socio-economic and environmental terms

- Initiatives geared towards sound management of visitor flows (seasonality) with a view to creating stable employment, taking account of the special circumstances of countries benefiting from the Cohesion Fund and regions assisted by the Structural Funds (underdeveloped areas, areas in industrial decline, areas undergoing agricultural reconversion and areas dependent on fishing), particularly the peripheral, outermost and island regions.

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- Establishment of an eco-audit scheme applied to tourism enterprises.

>Original text>

- Support for the implementation of environmentally friendly management systems in tourist accommodations.

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- Support for the implementation of environmentally friendly management systems in tourist accommodations.

>Original text>

- Organization of a 'European Prize for Tourism and Environment' (every two years).

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- Organization of a 'European Award for Tourism and Environment' (every year) of symbolic value, to be granted to local authorities and tourism enterprises which meet the requirements of sustainability and environmental stability;

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- Initiatives for the development of the European Tourism Agency, already approved by the European Parliament, which, in coordination with the European Environment Agency, might help to set the priorities for a Community tourism policy which respects the environment, analyse the load capacity of certain saturated coastal areas or over-exploited resources such as water, etc. and check, at the same time, compliance with the required quality standards: see Parliament's resolutions of 15 December 1994 on the report from the Commission on Community measures affecting tourism1 and 13 February 1996 on the Commission's Green Paper on the role of the Union in the field of tourism2;

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- Support for alternative, environment-friendly forms of mobility, such as the use of bicycles and public/collective transport in tourist regions.

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- Research into the minimum safety conditions for tourists at tourist installations, in particular campsites, as regards their location and the obligation to be linked with emergency services, etc.

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1 OJ C 18, 23.1.1995, p. 159.

2 OJ C 65, 4.3.1996, p. 34.

(Amendment 29)

Annex (C)(1a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

1a. Strategies for fighting sex tourism

- Support for specific measures against sex tourism (the rape of children, prostitution, trafficking, pornography and its distribution over networks like the Internet).

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- Better knowledge of geographic, economic, legal and cultural factors which cause sex tourism.

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- Public campaign by the EU to prevent sex trade in tourism.

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- Consultation of tour operators.

(Amendment 30)

Annex (C)(1b) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

1b. Training and employment

- Coordination, in conjunction with existing European programmes, of studies designed to secure professional recognition of forms of work which have developed in the context of tourism.

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- Promotion of education and tourist training at all levels in conjunction with existing programmes (Socrates, Leonardo, etc).

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- Enhancement of the use of new technologies in tourism SMEs.

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- Development, in conjunction with the SMEs support framework, of special measures to encourage the creation of stable employment in SMEs operating in the tourism sector.

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- Development of initiatives, including those of an experimental nature, promoting new jobs.

- Development of initiatives promoted via cooperatives, using resources for projects concerning SMEs.

(Amendment 31)

Annex (C)(2), indent

>Original text>

- Identification of the principal obstacles at European level faced by various forms of tourism as well as by specific categories of tourists (such as young people, the elderly, and disabled people), development of appropriate responses.

>Text following EP vote>

- Development of solutions to eliminate the principal obstacles at European level faced by tourism in general (such as seasonal variations, linguistic training, deregulation of air transport, etc.) and various forms of tourism (cultural, social, therapeutic, sports, conferences, rural tourism, fishing and sailing, etc) as well as by specific categories of tourists (such as older people, young people and persons with disabilities).

(Amendment 38)

Annex (C)(2a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2a. Increasing safety for tourists

- Developing EU-wide safety standards for tourist accommodation.

(Amendment 32)

Annex (D)

>Original text>

D. Increasing the number of tourists from third countries

1. Promoting Europe as a tourist destination

- Support for multiannual promotional campaigns in major issuing countries and/or emerging zones, with the support of participating sponsors.

>Text following EP vote>

D. Increasing the number of tourists within the Community and from third countries

1. Promoting Europe as a tourist destination

- Identifying images that are common to Europe (e.g. common historical/cultural itineraries, the millennium celebrations, etc), whilst recognizing that the central promotional theme of Europe is its diversity).

>Text following EP vote>

- Incorporation of such images in national campaigns by national tourist organizations and the European Tourist Commission (ETC) and in international tourism fairs.

>Text following EP vote>

- Management of European Union campaigns coordinated with national campaigns and with the participation of stakeholders (see point B.1).

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on a first multiannual programme to assist European tourism, 'Philoxenia' (1997-2000) (COM(96)0168 - C4-0356/96 - 96/0127(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(96)0168 - 96/0127(CNS) ((OJ C 222, 31.7.1996, p. 9.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 235 of the EC Treaty (C4-0356/96),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Transport and Tourism and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Regional Policy and the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media (A4-0298/96),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4. Calls for the conciliation procedure to be opened should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

5. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

6. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.