WRITTEN QUESTION E-2313/01

by Dominique Vlasto (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Aid for SMUs in the tourism sector

SMUs in the tourism sector have been identified as the key factor in the sustainable development of the regions of Europe. Such SMUs need to secure funding in order to renew their equipment and maintain their attractiveness, thereby helping to attain the objective of sustainable development in Europe.

However, those SMUs do not always have adequate financial resources available, or else they are unwilling to take on the business risks involved in heavy investment.

Can the Commission indicate what Community aid is available to such SMUs to support their investment needs?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2001)

There is no specific Community measure for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector.

SMEs have access to sources of financing through programmes which are open to all SMEs and which are not generally aimed at specific sectors but rather at achieving main Community objectives such as regional development, rural development and employment. In overall terms, therefore, the funds available to assist these enterprises are considerable.

The major sources of financing are undoubtedly the structural funds: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). By way of example, projects in the tourism sector received a total contribution of 7,3 billion in structural funds during the period 1994-1999. The need for assistance in this sector was highlighted in the Commission Communication The Structural Funds and their coordination with the Cohesion Fund: guidelines for the 2000-2006 programmes. This assistance may take the form of subsidies, loans or venture capital investments. The final decision on this assistance is taken by the management authorities in place in the regions.

The Multiannual Programme for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, and in particular for SMEs, (2001-2005) and the Community Research Framework Programme represent other significant sources of financing for SMEs. 317 million have thus been allocated to improve the financial environment of enterprises.

There is a very wide range of Community programmes, and they are not implemented centrally by the Commission, but in cooperation with national authorities and, very often, through regional and local authorities as mentioned above in the case of the structural funds. Sometimes the granting of assistance is managed on behalf of the Commission by banks or venture capital organisations. SMEs looking for information on assistance adapted to their needs are advised to contact the network of Euro Info Centres (EICs). The members of this network are able to guide SMEs through the range of regional, national and Community programmes available to assist them in their planned investments.

The updated list of the various EICs established in the Member States and the candidate countries can be consulted by the public on the Commission's internet site at the following address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/networks/eic/eic.html

Moreover, operators in the tourism sector can find useful information on financing at the site of the Tourism Unit of the Commission's Directorate-General for Enterprise at the following address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/services/tourism/index_en.htm