REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS ON COMMUNITY MEASURES AFFECTING TOURISM (COUNCIL DECISION 92/421/EEC)
Date: 1996-02-05
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU action, European Movement, economic development, tourism, tourism policy

COMMISSION  OF THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  05.02.1996 
COM(96) 29  final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION 

TO THE COUNCIL,  THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, 
THE ECONOMIC AND  SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
AND  THE COMMITTEE  OF THE REGIONS 

ON 

COMMUNITY  MEASURES 

AFFECTING TOURISM 

(COUNCIL  DECISION  92/421/EEC) 

ira 

m 

111111 

• SW mm 

M 

PREFACE 

I 

INTRODUCTION 

1. 

TOURISM IN THE COMMUNITY 

2. 

3. 

THE PERFORMANCE  OF EUROPEAN  TOURISM  IN  1994 

COMMUNITY  ACTION  TO ASSIST TOURISM IN  1994 

3.1. 

Background 

3.2. 

Structure of the report 

II  DIRECT COMMUNITY  MEASURES  AFFECTING TOURISM 

1. 

GAINING  AND  IMPROVING  KNOWLEDGE  -  PROGRAMMES 

AND MEASURES AFFECTING  TOURISM 

1.1. 

Statistics 

1.2. 

Studies 

1.3. 

Case Studies 

1.4. 

Conferences  and Trade fairs 

2. 

Brochures 

1.5. 
SPECIFIC  COMMUNITY  ACTIONS  TO  ASSIST  EUROPEAN 
TOURISM 

2.1. 

Transnational  Actions 

2.2. 

Tourists as Consumers 

2.3. 

Cultural Tourism 

2.4. 

Tourism and the Environment 

2.5. 

Rural Tourism 

2.6. 

Social Tourism 

2.7. 

Youth Tourism 

2.8. 

Education and Training 

2.9. 

Promotion  in Third  Countries 

1 

3 

3 

3 

4 

4 

5 

9 

10 

10 

11 

13 

13 

15 

15 

16 

18 

18 

21 

22 

23 

23 

24 

25 

3. 

CO-OPERATION  AND  CO-ORDINATION 
GREATER  CONSISTENCY  OF COMMUNITY  MEASURES 

TO 

ENSURE 

3.1. 

The Tourism Management  Committee 

3.2. 

The  Tourism  Advisory  Committee 
Representatives 

and 

Industry 

3.3. 

Co-operation with the Presidency 

3.4. 

Inter-service  Consultation  and  Co-operation  between  the 
Community Institutions 

3.5. 

Experts' Groups 

III  OTHER COMMUNITY  MEASURES  AFFECTING TOURISM 

1. 

THE TOURIST 

1.1. 

Free movement of the Tourist 

1.2. 

Protection of the Tourist as a Consumer 

1.3. 

Other Measures Facilitating Access to Tourism 

2. 

THE TOURIST INDUSTRY 

2.1. 

The  Single  Market  -  A  Dynamic  Construction  assisting 
Competitive Tourism Development 

2.2 

A  whole  range  of  Specific  Interventions  contributing  to 

Balanced Tourism Development 

3. 

TOURISM RESOURCES 

3.1. 

Architectural  and Cultural  Heritage 

3.2. 

Natural & Built Environment 

ANNEXES 

Annex  1  Share  of  each  region's  international  tourist  arrivals  and  receipts 

world-wide,  1960-  1994 (in %) 

Annex 2 

Implementation  of  Council  Decision  421/92/EEC  Council 
Decision  of  13.7.1992  on  a  Community  Action  Plan  to  assist 
Tourism-  1994 budget 

Annex 3 

Implementation  of  the  Council  Decision  421/92/EEC  on  a 
Community  Action  Plan  to  assist  Tourism  -  Detailed  sectorial 
presentation of studies, guides and projects,  1994 

ii 

26 

26 

27 

27 

27 

29 

31 

31 

31 

33 

36 

38 

39 

57 

78 

78 

81 

87 

89 

91 

93 

Annex 4  VAT rates in the HORECA sector 

Annex 5  The Cohesion  Fund 

Annex 6  The Community  Initiatives 

Annex 7  ECSC loans Art. 56 (tourism sector) 

Annex 8  European Community  Investment  Partner or ECIP 

Annex 9  Grants  to  ACP  countries  and  OCTS  in  the  framework  of 
development programmes and measures (1990-1994) 

Annex  10  Examples  of  incentive  measures  under  the  KALEIDOSCOPE 

programme 

Annex  11  Research 

technologies 

for  environmental  protection  and 

conservation  of the European cultural  heritage 

Annex  12  Community  action  programme  in  the field of cultural  heritage  -

The RAPHAEL Programme 

Annex  13  LIFE  1994: Promotion of sustainable tourism, implementation 

Annex  14  THERMIE  & ALTENER  1994: Selected  projects  in the field of 

energy with relevance to tourism 

97 

101 

103 

107 

109 

I ll 

113 

115 

117 

119 

121 

PREFACE 

The purpose of this report is to establish  an overview of the Community's activities which 
affect  tourism,  focusing  on the operational  year  1994, in line with the Council's  Decision 
n° 92/421/EEC  of  13.7.1992', which  confirms  the appropriateness  of undertaking  actions 
on tourism at Community  level. 

During  1994,  the  Commission  presented  its  first  yearly  report  to  the  Council,  the 
European  Parliament  and the Economic  and  Social  Committee on  "Community  measures 
affecting  tourism"2,  updated  until  the end  of  1993. An attempt  was also  made to give an 
overview of the legislative and budgetary  background  prior to  1993, the year of  reference 
of these measures. 

This  report  is  the  second  to  be  drawn  up  in  compliance  with  Article  5 of  the  Decision. 
Following  the  same  pattern,  it  sets  out  the  measures  taken  by  the  Commission  up  to 
December  1994 in each area of Community activity  concerned. 

This report is divided in three parts: 

part  I  is  a  general  introductory  chapter  on  the  impact  of  tourism  on  the  European 
economy  which  gives  a  statistical  analysis  of  Europe  as  a tourism  destination  and 
an overview of Community  actions in the field of tourism; 

part II analyses  the Community  measures  implemented  under the Council  Decision 
(92/421/EEC); 

and part III presents those Community  measures affecting  tourism which do not  fall 
under this Council's Decision. 

As the year of reference  for the current report,  1994. is the second year of implementation 
of  the  action  plan,  it  has  been  possible  to  provide  more  precise  details  on  the  direct 
measures  realised  under  the  tourism  action  plan  than  in  the  1993  report.  As  regards  the 
Community  measures  affecting  tourism  but  which  fell  under  Community  policies  and 
programmes  outside  the  scope  of  Decision  92/421/EEC,  an  attempt  has  been  made  to 
present them using a more comprehensive  approach. 

Cf.  Article  5:  "Every  year  from  the date of  adoption  of  the action  plan,  the Commission,  in a  report 
to  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council,  shall  evaluate  the  Community's  activities  which  affect 
tourism."  OJ  L 231,  13.8.1992,  p. 28. 
COM(94)  74  final,  of  6.4.1994. 

1-^t 

INTRODUCTION 

/. 

TOURISM IN  THE COMMUNITY 

Tourism  is  an  economic  and  social  activity  characterised  by  a  multi-disciplinary  and 
transversal  nature,  having  inter  linkages  with  various  other  activities.  The  tourism 
industry  produces  a  wide  variety  of  products  and  services  affecting  a  wide  range  of 
industries, but intended for a particular type of consumer: the tourist. 

In  the  European  economy,  tourism  makes  a  key  contribution  to  the  Gross  Domestic 
Product  (5.5% on average), to employment,  regional  development  and  foreign  trade. Not 
only  is tourism  a generator  of  valuable  revenue  for  the  trade  balance  of  many  European 
countries,  but  it  is  also  an  important  creator  of  employment,  providing  6%  of  the  total 
number  of jobs  in  the  Union,  directly  related  to  tourism  activities  and  products.  This 
figure  is  higher  when  employment  generated  indirectly  in  other  sectors  which  are 
influenced  by  tourism 
is  often 
characterised  by  high  seasonality  and  precariousness.  These  characteristics  are  potential 
obstacles  to  the  long-term  sustainable  development  of  tourism  employment  based  on 
quality and professionalism.  This is a challenge  for the different  education and  vocational 
training systems applied on a Community, national and regional level in Europe. 

is  included.  Employment  generated  by  tourism 

Tourism  is  a  factor  of  economic  development  for  less-favoured  regions,  rural  areas,  as 
well  as  those  areas  in  industrial  decline.  Tourism  revenue  and  tourism  employment  in 
these  regions,  make  a valuable  contribution  to eliminating  disparities  and  encouraging  a 
convergence  of  regional  and  peripheral  economies  with  the  Community  average  rate  of 
development.  Moreover,  tourism  can  help  to  achieve  cultural  as  well  as  economic 
convergence, as tourism helps to spread  awareness about  the different  European cultures, 
thus  contributing  to  the  development  of  respect  for  the  different  ways  of  life  of 
Europeans.  Tourism  also  contributes  to  developing  the  social  dimension  within  the 
Community  and  to  the  fight  against  social  exclusion  in  Europe.  This  is  implemented 
mainly  through  the access to tourism  of  less-favoured  groups, such  as young  people  and 
people with disabilities, either as tourists or as tourism employees. 

Tourism  can  be  a  vehicle  for  the  application  of  sustainable  development  techniques 
aiming  at  preserving  and  respecting  the  environment  in  which  the  tourism  industry 
operates. It is evident that tourism activity  - and the benefits  derived  from  it - cannot take 
place  in  a downgraded  and/or  polluted  natural,  rural,  built  or  cultural  environment.  It  is 
also evident that tourism development,  if it is implemented  in a sustainable way, provides 
long-term benefits  to local economies. 

2. 

THE PERFORMANCE OF EUROPEAN TOURISM IN 1994 

In  1994, world-wide, the tourism  industry  experienced  a rapid development  as a result of 
the  progressive  end  of  the recession  in  most  western  economies  and  the beginning  of an 
economic  recovery3.  In absolute  terms,  with  60% of all  international  tourist  arrivals  and 

3 

For  a more detailed  analysis,  focused  specifically  on  the  European  Economic  Area,  see  "Tourism  in 

3 

50%  of  all  international  tourist  receipts,  Europe  still  absorbs  the  largest  proportion  of 
these arrivals  and  receipts, as  well  as  hotel  overnight  stays.  Estimates  show  that,  during 
1994,  tourist  arrivals  and  receipts  have  increased  in  Europe,  reversing  the  trend  in  the 
growth rate in tourism receipts, which went  from  a 5% decrease  in  1993 to an increase of 
4%, equal to the world average the following  year. This was a key factor  in the growth in 
international tourism receipts in  19944. 

Within  Europe,  France  is  still  the  world's  leading  tourist  destination  in  terms  of 
international  tourist  arrivals  and  receipts,  followed  by  Spain,  Italy,  Hungary  and  the 
United  Kingdom. The highest  growth  rate of  tourist  arrivals was registered  in the  Czech 
Republic, the  most  serious  drop  in  Austria.  The  Mediterranean  destinations, Spain,  Italy 
and Greece, also registered  an important growth  in tourist arrivals, mainly  because of the 
political  unrest  of  competitor  destinations  and  because  their  currencies  offered  good 
value for money. 

Europe's  market  share  world-wide,  however,  shows  a  steady  downward  trend  which  is 
threatening  its  lead  position  in  the  long-term  (see  Annex  1).  Indeed,  statistical 
comparisons with previous decades confirm  that, while  in  1970 Europe  received  70% of 
international  tourist  arrivals  and  the  62%  of  international  tourist  receipts,  these  had 
dropped  to  only  60% and  50% respectively  in  1994.  During  the  same  period  East  Asia 
and the Pacific  regions registered the highest increase in both of these indicators. 

Meanwhile, forecast  indicators show, that if pertinent measures are not taken in time, this 
downward  trend  will  continue  still  further,  giving  Europe an average annual  growth  rate 
of only 2.7% per year, while the average  world-wide  is 3.8% and 6.8% for  the East Asia 
and Pacific rim region. 

3. 

COMMUNITY ACTION  TO ASSIST TOURISM IN 1994 

3.1. 

BACKGROUND 

The  Commission,  re-aligned  with  current  trends  within  the  Union  and  conscious  of  the 
key role that tourism  plays  in the European  economy, has been working  (with the active 
support  of the  European  Parliament  and  the  Economic  and  Social  Committee)  since  the 
early  eighties, towards  giving  tourism  the  place  it deserves  within  the  Community.  This 
work has continued and intensified  during  1994. 

During  1994,  important  developments  took  place  on  a  Community  level  which  are 
expected  to  affect  the  development  of  European  tourism  for  the  years  to  come.  In  this 
respect,  it  should  be  noted  that  1994  was  the  first  full  year  of  implementation  of  the 
Treaty on European Union, where Tourism  is mentioned for the first time. 

The  White  Paper  on  "Growth,  Competitiveness  and  Employment"  and  its  follow-up 
present  new  ideas  and  concepts  for  "the  way  forward",  most  of  which  are  expected  to 
influence  tourism or to be influenced  by tourism: new sources and fields of employment, 
trans-European  networks  of  transport,  telecommunications  and  energy,  the  "Information 

Europe",  EC Eurostat-DGXXIII,  OPOCE Luxembourg 1995. 
"Tourism Market Trends Europe  1985-1994", World Tourism  Organisation. 

4 

4 

Society"  and  the  importance  of  sustainable  development. 

1994  was also  the  second  year  of  implementation  of  the  "Community  action  plan  to  assist 
tourism"  as  decided  by  the  Council  on  13.7.19923.  This  first  tourism  action  plan  provides 
the  framework  for  all  direct  Community  measures  affecting  tourism,  based  on  eleven 
action  priorities  for  a period  of  three  years  starting  from  1.1.1993. 

The  informal  meeting  of  the  Council  in  Athens,  on  15.4.1994,  provided  the  Commission 
with  the  stimulus  to  start  work  on  a  Green  Paper  on  the  future  role  of  the  Union  in  the 
field  of tourism,  in  view  of  the  Inter  Governmental  Conference  of  1996  for  the  revision  of 
the Maastricht  Treaty. 

During  1994,  the  work  of  the  Commission  in  the  field  of  tourism  was  actively  supported 
by  other  Community  institutions  such  as  the  European  Parliament  with  its  resolutions 
"Tourism  in  the  approach  of  the  year  2000"6  and  "Community  measures  affecting 
tourism"7  which  concerned  the  Commission's  yearly  report  for  1993,  as  well  as  the 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  with  its opinion  on  "Tourism"8.  Moreover,  within  newly 
formed  Committee  of  the  Regions,  in  recognition  of  the  importance  of  tourism,  Sub-
Committee  2  " Tourism  - rural  areas"  was  created  to deal  with  tourism  issues  in  the  rural 
context. 

3.2. 

STRUCTURE  OF  THE  REPORT 

Since  part  of  the  Community  measures  affecting  tourism  fall  under  Community  policies 
and  programmes  outside  the  scope  of  the  Decision  92/421/EEC,  these  measures  are 
presented  in  two  parts:  the  direct  Community  measures,  and  the  other  Community 
measures  affecting  tourism9. 

• 
In  dealing  with  the  implementation  of  the  direct  Community  measures  affecting 
tourism  based  on  the  Council's  Decision,  during  1994,  as  a  result  of  improved  expertise 
and  planning,  a  greater  degree  of  coherency  has  been  being  achieved.  The  actions  that 
were  developed  responded  more  closely  to  the  objectives  of  the  three  main  axes  of  the 
"Community  Action  Plan  to Assist  Tourism": 

1)  Gaining  and  improving  knowledge  about  the  tourism  industry.  This  includes  the 
development  of  reliable  tourist  statistics  at  the  European  level  in  order  to  monitor 
tourist/visitor  flows  while  relying  on  a  "common 
language"  of  understanding  and 
comparison,  the  publication  of  studies  and  brochures  on  subjects  of  interest  to  the 
European  tourism  industry  and  the  public  administrations,  as  well  as  the  organisation  of 
European  conferences  and  the  participation  in  trade  fairs  on  topics  of  tourism  interest 
according  to the  priorities  of the  "Community  Action  Plan  to Assist  Tourism". 

2)  Specific  measures  and  actions  aiming  to  promote  transnational,  cross-border  co 
operation  between  the  public  and  the  private  sector  in  various  fields.  For  1994,  these 
the 
fields  were: 

in  Central  and  Eastern  Europe, 

information,  actions 

tourist 

Council  Decision 92/421/EEC,  OJ  L231  of  13.8.1992. 
EP.  178.920/final,  of  18.1.1994. 
EP.  185.379/final,  of  15.12.1994.  OJ C  18 of 23.1.1995 p. 159. 
ECS 453/94  final,  of 4.8.1994. 

5 
6 
7 
8 
9  At  the  end  of  this  report  a  series  of  annexes  indicate  quantitative  information  of  relevance  to 

tourism  development  in the  European  Union. 

5 

consumers/tourists  field,  tourism  and  the  environment,  cultural,  rural,  social  and  youth 
tourism,  tourism  education  and  training  and  the  promotion  of  European  tourism  in 
selected  non-European  countries.  Most  of  the  projects  supported  financially  by  the 
Commission  are of a pilot  nature  and  have  a demonstratory  character. 

3)  Development  of  better  co-operation  and  co-ordination.  This  concerns  measures  taken 
to  assure  more  effective  co-operation  and  co-ordination  between  Community  institutions, 
international  organisations,  public  and  private  administrations  and  organisations  and-
through  them-the  national,  regional,  and  local  authorities  of  the  Member  States.  Co 
ordination  between  the  Member  States  and  the  Commission  is  primarily  through  two 
established  tourism  committees,  one  to  assist  the  implementation  of  the  Council  Decision 
92/421/EEC  and  the  other  to  provide  advice  to  the  Commission  on  tourism  issues10.  The 
Tourism  Inter-Group  co-ordinated  by  the  European  Parliament's  Transport  and  Tourism 
Committee  provides  also  valuable  assistance  to  the  co-ordination  between  the  European 
Parliament, 
the 
Commission,  co-operation  is  based  on  the  work  of  the  Tourism  Inter-Service  Group  and 
on  the  mutual  consultation  of  the  relevant  services  concerning  any  new  actions  which  are 
envisaged  to  be undertaken.  Other  Commission  Inter-Service  Groups  have  also  addressed 
tourism  issues  during  1994.  In  addition,  experts'  groups  have  been  established  or 
supported  by the Commission  in different  tourism  fields  such  as social  and  rural  tourism. 

the  Commission  and 

the  Union.  Within 

tourism  sector 

the 

in 

The  development  of  better  co-operation  and  co-ordination  within 
the  European 
institutions,  with  the  Member  States  and  with  the  Tourist  industry  continues  to  be  an  on 
going  process  constantly  evolving.  Using  the  Council  Decision  as  a  basis  there  has  been 
some  intervention  in  other  policies  and  measures  in  order  to  determine  and  take  into 
account  the  impact  of tourism  within  them  or their  impact  on  the development  of  tourism. 
However,  if in the  long  term  sustainable  tourism  actions  are  to  be  achieved,  this  approach 
has still  to be developed  in a more  structured  and  systematic  manner. 

• 
The  other  Community  measures  affecting  tourism  include  an  overview  of  those 
measures  which  do  not  fall  under  Council  Decision  92/421/EEC,  but  whose  impact  on 
tourism  in the  Union  was  or could  be  significant  in the  future.  The  measures  are  presented 
in this chapter  together  with  an  attempt  to  assess  their  impact  on  tourism.  These  measures 
can be divided  in three  areas: 

1) The  first  area  includes  measures  affecting  the  tourist  as  a  person  living  and  travelling 
within  a geographical  space  without  physical  or  fiscal  barriers. This  tourist  is protected  by 
specific  consumer  legislation  on  health  and  safety,  on  economic  and  legal  aspects. 
the  social  dimension,  Community  measures  support 
Moreover,  by  strengthening 
everyone's  right  to travel  for  tourism  purposes:  age, physical  or  mental  disability  or  social 
status  should  not  be a reason  for  exclusion  from  tourism. 

2)  The  second  area  includes  all  those  measures  related  to  the  economic  and  social 
environment  which  aim  to  provide  common  structures  for  economic  and  social  activities, 
such  as  tourism,  to  develop  within  the  Union.  With  reference  to  the  internal  aspect  (i.e. 
within  the  European  Union  only)  measures  relate  to  various  considerations  such  as  the 
completion  of  the  Internal  Market,  competition  and  enterprise  policy,  economic  and 
social  cohesion,  regional  policy,  trans  European  networks,  transport,  research  and 

io  Council  Decision  of  22.12.1986  instituting  a  process  of  consultation  and  cooperation  in  the field of 

tourism.  OJ  L 384/52,  31.12.1986. 

6 

development,  information  and  telecommunication  technologies,  employment,  social 
policy and the field of education, training and youth.  With reference  to the external  aspect 
(i.e. non European countries) Community  measures and actions in the field of tourism  are 
associated  with  the  Union's  global,  economic  and  political  relations  with  the  rest  of  the 
world. 

3)  The  third  area  includes  measures  in  the  field  of  culture  and  environment.  These  two 
aspects  constitute  the  broader  environment  in  which  tourism  activity  develops  and  with 
which  tourism  has  a  relationship  of  connection  and  mutual  influence.  Community 
measures aim to develop a sustainable  relationship  between tourism  and architectural  and 
cultural heritage, natural and built environment  in Europe. 

A coherent and strategic approach to tourism development, based on co-operation  and  co 
ordination  within  the  European  Institutions,  with  the  Members  States  and  the  industry 
offers  the  greatest  potential  for  producing  a  global  tourism  policy,  based  on  a  series  of 
common  or  complementary  objectives,  that  can  be  applied  within  the  framework  of  all 
Union activities.  Such  an approach,  when applied  to specific  actions  that  are  intended  to 
meet 
results, 
complementary to the objectives of the direct Community  measures affecting  tourism. 

to  more  effective  and  sustainable 

identified  needs,  could 

lead 

7-& 

II 

DIRECT  COMMUNITY  MEASURES  AFFECTING 
TOURISM 

Implementation  of the three-year  Community  Action  Plan To Assist Tourism, adopted  by 
the Council  Decision of  13.7.1992 and effective  from  1.1.1993 entered the mid term stage 
of its duration. The priority  measures  begun  in  1993 were developed  and  where possible, 
were completed  in  1994 for  the purpose  of disseminating  information  about  the  achieved 
results. At the same time, in the context of this action plan, the Commission, in agreement 
with the Tourism Management Committee, put into operation further  measures in order to 
achieve the three global objectives of the tourism action plan: 

gaining knowledge about the European tourism industry; 

developing  of  specific  Community  actions  to assist  the development  of  a  diversity 
of quality tourism products and services; 

strengthening  co-operation  and  co-ordination  within  the  Commission,  with  other 
institutions  (national  and  local  public  sector  bodies,  international  or  European 
professional  organisations),  with  Member  States  and  also  with  third  countries  to 
ensure harmonious and consistent tourism development. 

To  achieve  the  set  objectives  of  the  action  plan,  an  annual  budget  of  ECU  6  million  of 
Community  resources was made available by the budgetary  authorities. In  1994, this was 
supplemented  with  a  further  contribution  of  ECU  566,000  from  Austria,  Finland, 
Sweden,  Norway  and  Iceland,  members  of  the  European  Economic  Area.  This 
contribution  permitted  them  to  participate  in the  development  of  the  action  plan,  i.e.,  in 
ail of the initiatives  launched under the work programme and in the consultations held by 
the  Commission  on  tourism  from  1.1.1994.  The  major  elements  of  expenditure  were 
firstly, the  support  for  the  development  of  projects  concerned  with  tourism  training  and 
the development  of cultural  tourism networks, secondly, preparation  of a series of studies 
to  provide  decision  makers  with  greater 
information 
dissemination  exercises,  preparation  of  brochures, conferences,  technical  workshops  etc. 
A  number  of  actions  not  specified 
in  the  work  programme  but  valuable  to  the 
development of the action plan were also  co-financed. 

information,  and 

thirdly, 

A budgetary  breakdown  of all  expenditure  in  1994 and tables of projects  selected  for  co-
financing are set out in Annex 2 of this report. 

Forward  planning  was  also  undertaken  in  1994,  which  included  preparation  of  those 
actions to be initiated and  launched  in  1995 and reflection  on subsequent  future  actions in 
the medium  term.  In preparing  this work,  a number of aspects were considered:  the  need 
to complete, as far as possible, the implementation  of the areas of the actions  listed  in the 
1992  Council  Decision;  follow  up  of  results  already  achieved;  further  strengthening  of 
co-operation;  emphasis  on  quality;  transparency;  and  the  need  to  evaluate  the  work 
already  carried out by various means". 

During  1994, a series  of  measures  were  identified  for financial support  in  1995: Studies 
in  the  fields  of  consumers  issues,  youth  tourism,  and  the  contractual  relationships 
between  tourism  intermediaries  and  providers  of  services;  pilot  actions  in  the  fields  of 

The  current  report  on  "Community  measures  affecting  tourism"  should  also  be  considered  in  this 
context. 

9 

visitor and traffic  management;  and  improved  co-operation and the transfer  of  know-how 
with  tourism  partners  from  Central  and  Eastern  Europe  and  the  Maghreb  countries.  A 
further  promotional campaign  was also under consideration. 

Community  actions  in the field of tourism  in the medium term were also considered  with 
a  view  to  completing  and  following  up  the  current  Community  Action  Plan  To  Assist 
Tourism. 

Preparation  of  a Green  Paper  on  the  role  of  the  European  Union  in the field of  tourism 
was  initiated,  as a means  of  opening  the  debate  during  1995  in view of the  forthcoming 
inter-governmental  conference  on the revision of the Treaty of Maastricht  in 1996. 

/. 

GAINING AND  IMPROVING  KNOWLEDGE - PROGRAMMES 
AND MEASURES AFFECTING TOURISM 

Improving the knowledge of the tourist  industry operators and their access to  information 
about  the market,  its characteristics,  components, and development  is vital  if they  are  to 
be able to devise strategies to exploit market opportunities as they occur. As many  tourist 
operators  are  small  < - even  micro-sized  firms,  by  their  very  nature  they  have  the  least 
resources  available  to conduct  costly  market  research and  analysis. Thus, it is an area  in 
which  the  Commission  has  taken  various  initiatives  notably,  in  order  to  improve  the 
availability  of  information  for  the  tourist  industry  using  various  media:  studies, 
conferences, trade fairs, brochures etc. 

Research  commissioned  in  1994  should  be  taken  forward  during  1995, published  and 
distributed  if an added  value  is to be achieved.  Continued  attendance at major  trade  fairs 
will  be  co-ordinated  and  in  addition,  it  is  envisaged  that  brochures  will  be  prepared 
compiling  the  results  of  the  pilot  projects  currently  in  progress,  notwithstanding  the 
commissioning of further  research on the current situation of tourism. 

1.1. 

STATISTICS 

Council  Decision  92/421/EEC  states as a priority  measure: "Improving knowledge of the 
tourist  industry...  will  be  carried  out  by  means  of  ...  a)  Development  of  Community 
statistics on tourism" 

Under the  1994 work programme, results were achieved, in two main areas: 

completion  of  the  necessary  legal  and  technical  instruments  for  setting  up  a 
European statistical system on tourism; 

improved  information  tools  for  disseminating  data  collected  and  results  of  work 
undertaken. 

Legal and technical instruments: 

A  manual  on  statistical  methodology  has  been  prepared  which  will  be  the  basis  of  a 
specific  recommendation,  and  is intended  to  help  providers  of tourism  statistics  produce 
harmonised  data and facilitate  the comprehension  of the users. New methodological  topic 
were  developed,  mainly  on  congresses  and  conferences,  which  met  with  the  general 

10 

approval  of  the  professional  associations  and  the  Tourism  Statistics  Working  Group.  On 
the basis of consultations  with the Member  States, and  relevant  professional  associations, 
a draft  Directive  concerning  the collection  of harmonised  statistics  at  European  level  has 
also  been  prepared.  These  issues  were  also  the  subject  of two  meetings  of the  EU/EFTA 
working  group  on  tourism  statistics  held  in  Luxembourg  in  February  and  November 
1994. 

Improved information tools: 

Indicators produced  annually  and monthly  have been published  on a regular  basis. An up 
to date, analytical  report on recent trends on tourism  in Europe has been completed  and is 
due  to  be  published  in  1995.  The  database  TOUR  has  also  been  improved  and  it  is 
gradually  being  enlarged  in  order  to  include  EFTA  countries.  A  section  on  tourism  has 
been  included  in  the  CD  ROM  produced  by  Eurostat  and  the  Office  of  Publications, 
which  contains  all  the  relevant  figures  collected  at  the  European 
level  by  the 
Commission. 

An  international  seminar  of  experts,  organised  jointly  with  OECD  and  the  Austrian 
authorities  in  Vienna  in  June  1994,  analysed  the  methodological  problems  posed  in 
implementing a European statistical  system with the results published  in 1995. 

The work  programme  for  1995  in  this  field  focuses  on  the adoption  and  implementation 
of  both  the  proposed  Council  Directive  mentioned  above,  as  well  as  the  continued 
improvement  of the  dissemination  of  the  results  of the work  achieved  so  far.  In order  to 
implement this forthcoming  Directive  and  Recommendation  in the  Member  States over a 
three year period,  ECU  1.5  million  was  carried  over  from  1994 and  should  be committed 
in the course of  1995 to this project. 

1.2. 

STUDIES 

The  Council  Decision  92/421/EEC  states  as  an  objective,  "detailed  studies  aimed  at 
improving  knowledge  of  tourism  as  an  activity,  assessment  of  the  impact  of  current 
Community  policies  to assist  tourism,  forward  analysis  of new  types  of tourism,  and  the 
preparation of strategies adapted to keep pace with demand". 

The  stimulus  for  specific  topics  within  this  body  of  research  has  come  from  various 
sources:  the  Community  Action  Plan  To  Assist  Tourism,  recommendations  from  the 
European Parliament, Member States and professional  organisations' representatives. 

Moreover,  tourism  has  featured  in  other  studies  produced  annually  for  the  benefit  of 
European  industry  in general. For example,  recent developments  in tourism  and  the main 
related  branches  of  industry  are  presented  in  the  1994  edition  of  "Panorama  of  EC 
Industry". This publication  gives a full  analysis  of the current  situation  and  prospects  for 
the industrial and service sectors of the European Union12. 

As  regards  studies  concentrating  on  tourism,  a  number  of  them  commissioned  in  1993 
were developed  in the course of  1994 with a view to preparing publications. 

12  DG  III-Eurostat,  "Panorama  of  EC  Industry -  1994",  Office  for  Official  Publications  of  (he 

European Communities, Luxembourg,  1995. 

11 

"Who's  who of  tourism" 

Intended  for  operators  in the tourist  trade, a compendium  was commissioned  providing  comprehensive 
information  about  organisations,  institutes,  international  bodies, trade associations  etc.,  in tourism.  The 
research  has been completed  and preparations  for dissemination  of the information  are in progress. 

A practical  guide to Community  measures  affecting  tourism 

Following  a  complete  analysis  of  the  various  Community  policies,  funds,  programmes  and  measures 
which  impinge  on tourism  development  either  directly  or  indirectly,  a practical  guide  for  the benefit  of 
professional  tourism  operators  has  been  drawn  up  to  provide  in  a  clear  and  straight-forward  way 
information  which  should  permit  them  to  benefit  from  Community  initiatives  and  actions  affecting 
tourism. The final  report was completed  in  1994 for  publication  in  1995. 

Study  on  Fiscal and  Budgetary  Policies affecting  tourism 

This  study  is  essentially  a  comparative  analysis  of  fiscal  and  budgetary  policies  which  affect  tourist 
activities within  the  Member  States of the  European  Union  and  in countries which compete in the  same 
tourist  market  outside  of  the  EU.  Moreover,  what  is  of  interest  is the  impact  on  tourism  of  fiscal  and 
budgetary  policies, where  they  exist.  Given  the scope  of this subject  it  is envisaged  that this study  will 
be completed  in  1995. 

"Making  Europe  More  Accessible" 

Intended  for  main  stream  tourist  operators  who  wish  to  cater  for  clients  with  disabilities,  this  manual 
will  contain  advice  and  examples  of  best  practices  and  information  on  the  key  aspects  of  providing 
tourist services: planning a trip, transport, accommodation,  tourist  attractions, services provide by travel 
agents  and  tour  operators.  The  research  was  completed  in  1994  and  the  final  publication  is  due  for 
production  in  1995. 

On the basis  of  invitations  to tender,  studies  were commissioned  in  199413, dealing  with 
various issues of interest to those in the tourist  industry. 

Study  on  "Yield  management  in small  and  medium-sized  enterprises  in the tourist  industry" 

"Yield  management"  consists  of  optimising  the  computerised  management  of  reservations  in  tourist 
services (mainly  transport and accommodation). On the basis of detailed  knowledge of consumer  flows, 
and certain  consumer groups, it is possible to adjust  the price of services over very short periods of time 
in order to reduce  the highly  perishable  nature  of unused  tourism  services. The purpose  of this study  is 
to  analyse  the  ways  and  means  of  adapting  "yield  management"  techniques  already  used  in  some 
tourism service sectors to small and medium-sized  enterprises (SMEs) in the tourist  industry. 

"Study on  Business and  Conference  Tourism" 

The  purpose  of this study  is to  provide  a quantitative  and  qualitative  evaluation  of supply  and  demand 
for business and  conference  tourism  (including  incentive  tourism). The evaluation  must also  investigate 
the problems associated  with  its development." 

The final reports  for  the  two  studies  commissioned  in  1994 are due  in the last quarter  of 
1995. 

n  Call  for  Tenders 94/C  122/07  OJ  C  122/07 of  8.5.1994. 

12 

Other  research  was  also  commissioned  in  1994,  to  provide  tourists  with  a  source  of 
practical consumer  information  covering  the whole of the European  Economic Area. 

1.3. 

CASE 

STUDIES 

Within  the  context  and  objectives  of  the  Tourism  action  plan,  Community  action  is 
designed to promote a better seasonal distribution of tourism. 

In  1994, action  was taken  to support  the setting-up  of an  international  framework  for  the 
exchange of information  and  monitoring  of the activities  of governments  and the tourism 
industry.  Action  was  also  taken  to  encourage  better  co-ordinated  actions  and  strategies 
aimed  at  promoting  the  use  of  tourism  infrastructure  and  facilities  outside  the  peak 
season. 

As a follow up to the conference  on the staggering of holidays held in Noordwijk  in 1991, 
a  conference  was  organised  in  Dusseldorf  on  6/7.12.1994.  Representatives  of  the 
Commission,  the  European  Parliament,  13  national  governments  and  various  tourism 
industry organisations  attended. 

The  main  objective  was  to  identify  possible  techniques  for  staggering  holiday-taking 
more evenly  throughout  the  year,  in  order  to  relieve  congestion  at  peak  times.  Member 
States were asked to exchange  information  about  successful  methods employed  firstly,  to 
promote off-peak  tourism. 

Legislation  at  the  European  level,  it  was  generally  agreed,  was  not  the  appropriate 
solution  to  achieve  a  staggering  of  holidays  in  Europe,  but  rather  a  voluntary  system 
should  be  established.  In  recognition  of  the  need  for  greater  co-ordination  of  the 
information  available  on  holiday  periods  among  the  Member  States,  the  Commission 
presented a proposal for a new European wide initiative, HODEO. 

The  Holiday  Dates  Exchange  Operation  is  intended  to  facilitate  the  exchange  of 
information  on school  and  employment  holidays  among  the  Member  States.  Information 
is  collected  in  a  standard  format,  on  a  voluntary  basis,  from  the  Member  States  and 
regions, at least once a year 

On  the  offer  side,  the  study  on  yield  management  commissioned  in  1994  will  also 
complement this work when it is completed. 

The  development  of  a  survey  for  gathering  information  on  tourist  behaviour  is  under 
consideration  as a useful  tool  for  planning  measures  to  adjust  the offer  with  a view  to  a 
better staggering of holidays. 

1.4. 

CONFERENCES 

AND  TRA  DE  FAIRS 

In recent years, a body  of work  in the various fields of tourism  has been developed:  pilot 
projects  dealing  with  rural,  cultural  and  environmental  tourism  issues  and  a  series  of 
studies analysing  the impact of a range of phenomena on the tourism  industry. One of the 
principal  objectives  is  to  disseminate  the  results  and  the  best  practices  developed. 
Conferences  were  organised  in  1994  for  the  exchange  of  information  and  best  practise 
and for the purposes of strengthening co-operation  and co-ordination . 

13 

"Eurotourism-Research 

and  Perspectives",  Halkidiki,  Greece,  15/16.5.1994 

Organised  jointly  by  the  Commission  and  the  Greek  Ministry  of  Tourism  during  the 
Greek  Presidency,  the  major  objective  of  this  conference  was  to  discuss  and  evaluate  the 
European  Commission's  Tourism  Study  Programme,  1990-1993,  which  was  put  in  place 
to  measure  the  effect  of  European  policies  and  techniques  on  tourism  flows,  jobs  and 
infrastructure  whilst  also  monitoring  the  various  forms  of  tourism  and  their  promotion. 
Moreover,  the conference  attempted  to  determine  directions  for  the  implementation  of  the 
study  programme's  suggestions  as  well  as  for  the  need  for  future  research.  Some  twenty 
papers  were  presented  to  an  audience  of  150 participants  from  both  the  public  and  private 
sectors,  during  five  sessions.  The  sessions  dealt  with  a  "structural  analysis  of  the  tourism 
sectors",  "the  potential  for  development  in  the  tourism  sector",  "Tourist  flows  to  Europe 
and  inside  Europe",  a  brainstorming  session  on  the  "Future  Tourism  Research  and 
European  Tourism  Actions"  and  a  conclusion.  The  conference  served  to  stress  the 
importance  of  research  as  a  necessary  precursor  to  the  development  of  effective  tourism 
policies  and  the  need  for  close  co-operation  between  the  European  Tourism  industry  and 
the  European  Institutions. 

"Eurotour ism-Culture  and  Countryside",  Athens,  27/28.5.1994 

This  conference  on  rural  and  cultural  tourism  was  organised  jointly  by  the  Commission 
with  the  Greek  Presidency.  The  aim  of the  conference  was to  present  specific  Community 
actions  promoting  rural  and  cultural  tourism,  encourage  networking  between  the  actors 
concerned  and  present  some  of  the  most  outstanding  rural  and  cultural  projects  that  had 
been  financed  in the years  prior  to the  implementation  of the Action  Plan.  A brochure  was 
produced  containing  information  on  the  48  rural  and  cultural  projects  supported  by  the 
Commission  in  English,  French  and  German14.  Each  project  is  described  briefly  setting 
out  its innovative  or  good  practice  characteristics  with details of the partners  involved. 

Technical  Meetings  on Proposed  Legislation 

When  considering  the  tourist  as  a  consumer,  a  balance  needs  to  be  assured  between 
ensuring  the  greatest  availability  of  choice  for  the  consumer,  protection  of  his  physical 
safety  and  his  legal  and  economic  rights  and  the  creation  of  favourable  conditions  that 
permit  continued  development  of  the  tourist  industry.  To  this  end,  in  1994  several 
technical  meetings  were  organised  to  better  inform  the  tourist  industry  of  the  potential 
impact  of  some  proposed  and  existing  consumer  legislation.  In  the  case  of  the  proposed 
Distance  Selling  Directive  and  the  Package  Travel  Directive,  many  in the  tourist  industry 
were  surprised  to discover  that  their  activities  would  be within  the scope  of the  legislation 
and  were  concerned  at the potential  consequences  on  their  activities. 

With  the  co-operation  of  the  Consumer  Policy  Service  two  technical  workshops  were 
organised. 

A  technical  workshop  on  the  progress  of  the  proposed  Directive  concerning  the  purchase 
of  contracts  for  the  use  of  Timeshare  properties'3  was  held  in  Brussels,  22.Z.1994.  The 
main  objective  was  to  bring  together  representatives  of  all  the  interested  parties:  the 
the  European 
timeshare  sector, 
institutions  to  discuss  the  progress  of  the  Directive  through  the  European  institutions  and 
to  consider  the  potential  impact  of  the  adopted  legislation  on  a  tourist  sector.  It  was 

the  consumer  organisations,  national  experts  and 

"Eurotourism  : Culture  and Countryside",  ISBN 92-826-8836-4,  OPOCE,  Luxembourg,  1994. 

14 
15  COM(93) 487  final. 

14 

concluded  that a speedy  adoption of the Directive was needed and  the professional  sector 
agreed  to consider  possible  voluntary  codes of self-conduct  to take account  of the  further 
rapid changes occurring in the sector not considered  in the Directive. 

On  29.4.1994,  in  Brussels,  a  second  technical  workshop  was  organised  concerning  the 
proposed  Directive  on  contracts  negotiated  at  a  distance16  and  on  the  impact  of 
implementation  or  non-implementation  of the  Package  Travel  Directive17  in the  Member 
States.  Again,  this  meeting  was  attended  by  all  the  interested  parties:  European  and 
national  experts,  industry  professionals  and  consumer  representatives.  With regard  to  the 
implementation  of the package travel  directive, there  was an exchange  of  information  on 
the types of guarantee  schemes that had  been  established  under article  7, of the  Directive 
in the various Member  States that had  already  implemented  legislation  and the effects  on 
the  tourist  industry.  In  the  case  of  those  that  had  not  yet  implemented  it  was  an 
opportunity to indicate the types of difficulties  being experienced. 

"Staggering of Holidays"  Conference, Diisseldorf  6/7.12.1994 (see CASE STUDIES). 

Trade fairs 

Trade fairs  offer  the  Commission  a means of direct  contact  with all aspects and  levels of 
the tourist industry  and  of presenting  the results  and best  practices  of projects  that  it has 
supported.  The  "Internationale  Tourismus  Bôrse"  , held  annually  in  Berlin  ("ITB"  is  the 
largest annual tourism  trade fair), was identified  as an appropriate  venue  for  participation 
by the Commission  services  responsible  for  tourism  in the  context  of a "European  Day" 
based  on  the  theme  of  "Tourism  and  the  Environment"18.  To  complement  this  action  a 
brochure was also produced  detailing  the projects  realised  in the field of tourism  and  the 
environment19. 

1.5. 

BROCHURES 

The real added value of supporting  innovative  and demonstrative  tourism projects  rests in 
providing  widespread  information  to  all  interested  parties  about  them  with  a  view  to 
encouraging  their  transfer  elsewhere  in  the  European  Union.  To  this  end  two  brochures 
were produced  in  1994, on  European  rural  and  cultural  tourism  projects  and  on  projects 
concerned with tourism and the environment  in Europe. 

2. 

SPECIFIC  COMMUNITY  ACTIONS  TO  ASSIST  EUROPEAN 
TOURISM 

Building  on  the  development  of  improved  knowledge  among  tourism  professionals  and 
relying  on  better  co-ordination  and  co-operation  mechanisms  between  the  relevant 
partners, this second objective  of providing assistance for specific  measures is intended to 
lead to the development of actions which are innovative, transferable  and of an exemplary 

(COM(93)396finalSYN411)OJC308of  15.11.1993,  p.  18. 

16 
17  Council  Directive on package travel,  package holidays and package tours of  13.6.1990 OJ  L  158 of 

23.6.1990 p. 59. 

18  The  objective  was  to  present  the  results  of  the  call  for  proposals  92/C  51/16,  OJ  of  26.2.1992 

concerning tourism and the environment. 

19  Tourism  and  the  Environment  in  Europe,  An  introduction  along  with  reports  on  some  European 

projects  in tourism.  ISBN 92-826-9916-1. 

15 

nature  which  can  be  used  for  the  purpose  of disseminating  information  on  best  practice. 

to  assist  European  tourism  presented  in  this  section 
The  specific  Community  actions 
follow  the  order  of  Annex  1  of  the  Council  Decision  92/421/EEC.  Nevertheless,  it  is 
noted  that  the  presentation  of  these  actions  could  in  future  follow  a  logic  which  better 
illustrates  how  they  can  serve,  to  develop  a  more  competitive  tourism  offer  relying  on  a 
diversified  and  sustainable  development  and  contributing  to the  satisfaction  of the  tourists 
needs and  expectations. 

2.1. 

TRANSNA 

TIONAL  A CTIONS 

The  Council  Decision  92/421/EEC  states:  Community  action  is  designed  to  promote 
transnational  tourist  development  initiatives  covering  different  sectors  of the  industry. 

Pilot  projects  selected  under  the  Action  programme  199320  (with  a  total  Community 
contribution  of  ECU  808,778)  were  completed  in  1994  with  a  view  to  realising  several 
transnational  objectives  2I, such  as: 

improved  co-operation  structures  between  public,  private  and  professional  bodies 
and  individuals  in  the  tourism  sector  from  the  border  regions  or  similar  regions  in 
different  countries  which  are  very  often  characterised  by  their  decentralised  nature, 
in order  to permit  full  exploitation  of the  benefits  of the  Single  Market; 

tourist 

improved 
information  provision,  in  terms  of  the  techniques  used  for 
transmitting  information  to  tourism  professionals  and  subsequently  to  the  general 
public  and  also  the  development  of  direct  tourist  information  tools  using  new 
technology. 

Transnational  Actions  93/94:  Selection  of  projects  in  the  field  of  tourist  information  provision 
using  technology 

Coordinator: Automobile Association  (UK), ATIS 
Project: CIRT-Cross-border  Information  for  Road  & Travel 
The  project,  run  within  the  ATIS  consortium,  involves  the  automobile  and  touring  associations  of  6 
countries:  UK,  Holland,  Germany,  Spain,  Italy  and  Switzerland  as  users.  Its  main  objectives  are  to 
provide  standardised  general  travel  &  regulatory  information  necessary  for  motor  & general  travel  in 
European  countries.  The  system  runs  under  a  graphical  user  interface  in  a  Windows  environment  for 
storing  and  maintaining  data.  This  data  base  system  allows  distributed  electronic  communication 
facilities  to  transmit  information  across  many  nodes  across  the  EC.  Information  includes  consulate 
addresses,  national  regulations  on  speed  limits,  alcohol  levels  for  drivers,  requirements  for  driving 
licenses, import and export requirements/restrictions; etc. 

Coordinator:  Regione Toscana  (Italy) 
Project:  ETI-European  Tourism  Information  &  Booking 
Implementation  of  a  pilot  project  to  define  a  single  uniform  system  for  supplying  tourists  with  better 
and  more  complete  information,  so  that  they  can  take  more  advantage  of  the  tourist  attractions  in  the 
regions  concerned  in  Spain,  Italy  and  France.  Interactive  "information  points"  will  be  set  up,  where 
tourists can display and print out all the information  they require on the regions covered by the network. 
Ways  of  connecting  into  reservation  systems  will  also  be  examined.  A  methodology  and  a  common 
logo will be devised. 

20  Community  Action  Plan  to Assist  Tourism,  Invitation  to tender  and calls  for  proposals  (OJ  C  128 of 

8.5.1993,  p. 7). 

21  See annexed  table of  projects  launched  under  the  Action  programme  1993 and  finalised  in  1994. 

16 

Coordinator:  TIRS (Germany), 
Project:  Rcgionct  Saar-Lor-Lux 
The concept  and  reason  for  implementation  of "Regionet"  is to enable smaller  European  regions to join 
forces  together  in  order  to  create  larger  units  with  a greater  supply  of  tourist  offers  promoted  using  a 
common  information  system  which  at  the  same  time  helps  to diminish  the  costs.  The  project  has  four 
objectives: 

The  improvement  of  Quality  of  the  information  provided  on  tourism  and  culture  in  the  3  co 
operating regions; 
Development  of synergy  by connecting existing regional  information  systems; 
Implementation  of a trans-border  network  based on international  standards (EDI, etc.); 
Provision  of the above to the general  public and private and public organisations through  the use 

of electronic  information  points. 
Communication  between  the different  partners  is possible through  the use of a central  server  installed in 
Luxembourg,  used  as a  "Clearing  centre". The  information  distributed  by  "Regionet"  is related  to sight 
seeing,  accommodation,  restaurants,  events,  leisure/sports,  package  arrangements,  addresses  and  cure 
facilities. 

In  1994,  the  programme  of  work  identified  measures  for  developing  co-operation  with 
Central  and  Eastern  Europe  countries  (CEEC), as a means  notably  of complementing  or 
preparing for actions to be developed under the PHARE programme: 

campaigns to promote general awareness about the problems of tourism  in a market 
economy; 

training activities targeted at middle and senior management  in the tourist sector; 

in-depth  research  designed  to  promote  the  development  of  specific  branches  of 
tourism or tourism products, in co-operation with Member States. 

Central and  Eastern  European Countries  projects  1993-94 

"Bulgaria & Slovakia Tourism  Training  Programme" 
On the basis of consultation  only, the progress of the Bulgaria & Slovakia project  was monitored  during 
1994  within  the  framework  of  the  objectives  of  the  Community  Action  Plan  To  Assist  Tourism.  The 
aims  of  the  project  include  encouragement  of  the  emergence  of  a  tourism  economy  in  Bulgaria  and 
Slovakia  which  is in accordance  with  international  norms and strengthened  co-operation  between  these 
countries  and  the  European  Union  with  a  view  to  accelerating  their  participation  in  an  enlarged 
economic area encompassing Central and  Eastern  Europe. 

"Tourism Co-operation  with  Belarus: Tourism - a vehicle for development" 
The project  in Belarus received assistance  in order to help to establish a tourism  industry  in Belarus by 
creating tourism  offices  and transferring  know-how within the framework  of a training programme. The 
work can be viewed as preparation  for the intended  introduction  of a "tourism-TACIS" programme in 
Belarus. 

Central and  Eastern  European  Countries  projects  1994-95 : 

"Conference on transferring  Skills and know how to Central and  Eastern  Europe" 
The objectives  are to review  the current  state of tourism  and  training  in Central  and  Eastern  Europe, to 
examine  the  actual  relationship  between  education  and  training  provision  and  labour  market  needs  in 
the  industry  in order  to  identify  current  gaps  in  provision,  to draw  up an  action  plans  for  Central  and 
Eastern  European  countries which  address the  issues  identified  in the national  reports and  to establish  a 
EU/Central and  Eastern  European  support  network  to facilitate  the implementation  of the action plans. 

17 

"Promotion  of  Youth  Travel  in  Central  Europe" 
The  objective  to  promote  youth  tourist  travel  in  Central  Europe  among  under  21  year  old  through  the 
provision  of  a  special  tourist  information  and  guidance  service.  This  is  intended  to  create  a  common 
interest  base  of good  co-operation  between  young  people  in Central  and  Eastern  European  and  the  EU. 
The development  of this  project  will  be backed  with  experienced  Western  tourism  operational  guidance, 
promotion  and  marketing. 

In  1994,  it  was  identified  that  strengthening  co-operation  with  Central  and  Eastern 
European  countries,  the  Maghreb,  Cyprus  and  Malta  required  further  attention  regarding 
the  transfer  of  know-how  on  training,  the  development  of  promotional  strategies, 
marketing  for  certain  tourism  products  and  the  creation  of  SMEs  in  tourism.  These  issues 
have  been  addressed  in the  programme  drawn  up  for  1995. 

2.2. 

TOURISTS  AS  CONSUMERS 

The  Council  Decision  92/421/EEC  states:  Community  action  aims  to  support  initiatives 
which  improve  the  information  of  tourists  and  their  protection,  in  areas  such  as  existing 
classification  systems,  sign  posting  symbols,  timeshare  arrangements,  overbooking  and 
procedures  for  redress. 

To  complement  the  consumer  awareness  campaign  launched  by  the  Commission  services 
responsible  for  consumer  policy,  in  March  1993,  the  Call  for  Tenders  (94/C  122/07) 
launched  by  the  Commission  on  4.5.1994  invited  proposals  for  the  preparation  of  a  user-
friendly  handbook  providing  relevant  consumer  information  about  the  Member  countries 
of  the  EEA  in  order  to  help  tourists  protect  their  rights  as  consumers  when  travelling  in 
Europe.  The  handbook  will  also  be  backed  up  with  an  information  technology  support 
tool.  Once  is  it  completed  and  in  order  to  promote  the  work,  it  will  be  distributed  on 
diskette  to a network  of 5,000 interested  parties. The work  was  scheduled  to be  completed 
by the end  of  1995. 

The  problem  of  overbooking  in  hotels  and  the  inconvenience  caused  to  consumers  gave 
rise  for  concern  in  1994.  The  President  of  the  Committee  for  Transport  and  Tourism,  in 
the  European  Parliament  invited  representatives  of  key  organisations  to discuss  this  issue. 
The  Commission  was  also  invited  to  participate  and  promised  to  examine  the  causes  and 
extent  of accommodation  overbooking  in the  EEA. 

Moreover,  tourists  as  consumers,  like  to  have  access  to  a  wide  range  of  competitively 
priced  shopping.  There  is  a  very  close  relationship  between  the  tourism  and  commercial 
sectors:  a  village  or  an  area  without  shops  is  less  attractive  for  the  tourist.  This  issue  was 
raised  at  the  seminar  held  in  Brussels,  2.12.1994  on  the  subject  of  "Services  in  small 
villages  - The  future  of retailing  in  rural  areas". Tourists  also  like  lively  town  centres  with 
retail  outlets,  typical  of  the  area,  promoting  local  products:  thus  satisfying  the  tourist 
consumer  also  contributes  to  local  development; 

2.3. 

CULTURAL 

TOURISM 

The  Council  Decision  92/421/EEC  states:  Community  action 
is  designed  both  to 
highlight  the  importance  of  the  cultural  heritage  for  tourism  and  to  promote  a  greater 
knowledge  of the cultures,  traditions  and  ways of  life  of  Europeans. 

18 

The  promotion  of  cultural  tourism  is  a  key  element  in  a  strategy  to  co-ordinate,  at 
Community  level,  measures  aiming  to  diversify  and  upgrade  the  supply  of  tourism 
services  in  Europe.  Growing  interest  in  heritage,  in  regional  and  local  cultures,  an 
emphasis  on  cultural  facilities  as  an  engine  for  economic  development  (urban 
redevelopment,  development  of  rural  environments  or  degrading  industrial  areas)  and 
growing awareness of the synergy  between tourism, leisure and the arts have combined  to 
focus attention on cultural  tourism. 

In  an  increasingly  competitive  global  market  place  there  is  growing  recognition  of  the 
need to create identities for  European tourist destinations (product packaging of  European 
tourist  offers,  like  "Art  Cities  in  Europe",  "Routes  to  the  Roots"  etc.).  Information 
technology  developments are increasingly  opening up possibilities  for  promoting  cultural 
tourism through the use of marketing tools such as GDS (Global Distribution Systems). 

Although  it  is  widely  acknowledged  that  for  their  mutual  benefit,  cultural  and  tourism 
policies  should  be  complementary,  with  suitable  structures  for  the  exchange  of 
information  between  tourism  and  culture  professionals,  these  are  lacking  at  a  European 
level.  It  is  becoming  increasingly  clear  that  there  is  a  need  for  closer  co-operation 
between the  Commission  and  other  main  players  in the field of cultural  tourism,  e.g.  the 
Council  of  Europe  and  UNESCO,  in  order  to  obtain  the  maximum  value  and  synergy 
from  the pilot actions in the field of culture being developed by each of these bodies. 

There are some difficulties  still to be addressed  such as a lack of comparative data on the 
tourism  products,  training  for  students, 
demand  for  and  the  supply  of  cultural 
practitioners  and managers  in the  fields  of culture  and tourism.  Effort  has to  be made to 
develop synergies within the relevant Community  programmes. 

As a result of the  1993 programme  of work,  18 proposals  submitted  in response to a call 
for  proposals22,  were  selected  in  1994, in  order  to develop  transnational  cultural  tourism 
products, namely new European cultural  tourism  itineraries, as set out in the annex of the 
Council  decision.  The  Community  contribution  of approximately  1.2 MECU  was  about 
"50% of the overall budgetary cost. 

With  a  view  to  stimulating  the  exchange  of  experience  between  tourist  operators  and 
cultural  institutions,  especially  as regards  highlighting  the  value  of  the  cultural  heritage, 
the Commission launched a Call for Proposals 94/C  122/07 on 4.5.1994.  11 projects, each 
establishing  a cultural  network,  were  selected  out  of a total  of  156 submissions  and  are 
currently  receiving  Community  finance  worth  about  1 MECU,  accounting  for  46% of a 
total budget of 2.124 MECU. 

In  the  second  half  of  1995,  the  cultural  networks  selected  in  1994  are  due  to  be 
completed.  It  is  envisaged  that  the  most  innovative  projects  will  subsequently  be 
presented  during  a  major  international  tourism  trade  fair.  The  aim  will  be  to  stimulate 
effective  networking and transfers  of know-how. 

Projects  completed  and  initiated  in  1994  in the field of cultural  tourism  and financed by 
the  Tourism  Unit  are  listed  and  described  in  the  following  table.  A  number  of  projects 
have produced or are producing exemplary results. 

22  Community  Action  Plan  To  Assist  Tourism,  Invitation  to  tender  and  calls  for  proposals,  93/C 

128/09,  published  in the Official  Journal  of  8.5.1993. 

19 

Cultural  Tourism  Projects  initiated  in  1993 (93/C  128/09) and  continued  in  1994 (94/C  122/07) 
for  completion  in  1995 

Naturfreunde  Saarland  e.V. 
Project:  (NEKTAR)  Kulturerlebniswege-Saar-Lor-Al-Lux / Netzwerk  Europaische  Kultur 
Partners: D, F, L 
The  project  aims  to  develop  specific  cultural  tourism  itineraries  in  the  regions  of  Lotharingia,  Alsace, 
Luxembourg  and  Saarland  on  the  themes  of  history  and  changes  in  agriculture  and  industry.  This  is 
done  through  the  establishment  of  a  co-operation-network  amongst  the  above  regions  leading  to  the 
development  of tourism  guides.  Among several  innovative  features  is the central  roles attributed  to the 
concepts  of  "work  culture"  and  "agricultural  change",  as these  major  parts of the region's  tradition  and 
history are too often  ignored  by tourists. 
It  is  foreseen  that  Eco-museums  might  be  created  and  that  there  should  be  a  growing  community 
interest  in industrial culture. 
As  a  result  of  this  work,  the  principles  can  be  now  be  transferred  to  other  areas  of  Europe  so  as  to 
enlarge the network and create an exchange of experience. 

Forschungsstelle Niedersâchsische Auswanderer  in den  USA, University of Oldenburg 
Project:  Routes  to the  Roots 
Partners:  IRL, DK, D, NL, UK, GR, N, FIN, S, IS 
The project's  objective  is to develop and promote previously  defined  routes  in D, UK,  IRL, NL and DK 
which  connect those  regions  with  ports such  as  Liverpool,  Bremerhaven,  from  where  large numbers  of 
emigrants  left  for  a new  life  in North  America. The  idea  is that American  tourists who are  interested  in 
their  ancestry  will  be offered  the chance  to travel  along  these  routes, visiting  minor cultural  attractions 
that  under  normal  conditions  would  not  attract  this  target  group.  In addition  to the  enlargement  of  the 
existing network, the partners  intend to produce jointly a product manual adapted to the requirements of 
the tourism  industry  (in  Europe  and  the  US), a video  and  also develop  contacts  with  multipliers  in  the 
American travel trade. 

Royal National  Institute  for the Blind 
Project:  European  Cities  within  Reach 
Partners: UK, F, I, S 
This  project  aims  to  produce  a  series  of  publications  in  Braille  and  large  print  for  tourists  with  visual 
impairments.  The  publications  will  present  the  cultural  heritage  of  the cities  involved  to  blind  tourists 
when  visiting art collections  or discovering  architecture  and  life styles through  city walks. The concept 
of "taped touch  tours/toccare  Parte" will  be extended  beyond  the existing network  whose partners are in 
the process of intensifying  their co-operation. 

FYN-TOUR 
Project:  Cultural  Historical  Cruises  in the  Baltic Sea 
Partners: DK, D, S, N, PL, EST 
The  present  project  will  extend  the geographical  range  of  an  earlier  project  to the  whole  Baltic  region 
offering  cruises  on  three  historical  themes.  By  means  of  co-operation  and  exchange  of  experience 
between  the  partners,  a  new  quality  tourism  product  will  be  developed.  Through  the  elaboration  of  a 
map and the definition  of different  financing  models, the  project  will  contribute  to the development  of 
an  appreciation  of  the  Baltic  as  a  maritime  tourism  destination,  thus,  helping  to  preserve  maritime 
traditions  and  occupations  in the  region.  Following  desk  and  field  research,  the  project  organisers  will 
present their  findings  in a seminar  followed  by an  international  tourism  conference  in the Baltic region. 

20 

A Selection  of Cultural  tourism  projects  initiated  in  1994 (94/C  122/07) for  completion  in  1995 

Fédération des Offices  du Tourisme des Villes  Européennes (FOTVE / FECTO) 
Project:  Art Cities  in  Europe 
Partners: A, B, DK, F, D, UK, L, NL, P, E, CH, Malta 
The  "Art  Cities  in  Europe" programme  will  establish  a  European  network  of  31  art cities  located  in  11 
EEA  countries.  By  means  of  effective  co-operation  between  cultural 
institutions  and  tourism 
professionals  in  both  the  public  and  private  sectors  concerned  with  cultural  tourism,  the  importance  of 
the cultural  heritage  for  tourism  - and  city  tourism  in particular  - will  be highlighted.  It  is envisaged  to 
establish  a 
effective 
marketing/distribution  tools.  This  will  include  the  storage  of  package  information  on  computer 
reservation  systems  like  Amadeus/START,  BTX  and  Minitel.  FECTO  will  organise  a  conference  to 
disseminate  information,  exchange  experience  and  evaluate  the  results  of  the  project  considering 
effective  co-operation  and good  practices  developed. 

for  discussion  and  develop  cultural 

tourism  packages  and 

forum 

Baltic Tourism  Co-operation 
Name of project:  BTC Cultural Tourism  Project 
Partners: S, DK, D, N, FIN 
The  Baltic Tourism  Co-operation,  the  promotional  body  of the  Baltic tourism  industry,  has almost  100 
members  in  the  ten  Baltic  countries  and  on  markets  outside  the  area.  All  members  are  invited  to 
participate  in  the  project.  Increased  appreciation  of  the  cultural  heritage  of  the  region  is  envisaged 
through  ensuring that  it is fully  integrated  and  acknowledged  in the promotional  activities  of the  Baltic 
tourism  industry.  Hence,  BTC  proposes  to  organise  a  cultural  tourism  conference  and  workshop, 
develop  a  historical  Hanseatic  sailing  route  and  create  a  specific  cultural  tourism  network.  The  initial 
phase,  co-financed  by  the  Commission,  is  part  of  a  medium  term  strategy  that  ultimately  will  market 
historical  Baltic cruises  in the second  part  of the decade.  A first  cruise will  be organised  for  media  and 
tour operators  in summer  1995. 

2.4. 

TOURISM  AND  THE  ENVIRONMENT 

The Council  Decision 92/421/EEC states: "The aim of Community action in the area of 
tourism  and  the  environment  is to ensure that  the  environment  is  more  fully  taken  into 
account". 

The  Commission  in  co-operation  with  the  Member  States  has  developed  a  European 
Tourism  &  Environment  Prize to  help  raise awareness throughout  the  tourism  sector of 
the  interactions  between  tourism  and  the  environment.  The  Commission  employed 
consultants to  undertake the administration of the prize and assist  the  Member States in 
the national selection procedure and process. 

The  award  seeks  to  identify  and  reward  tourist  regions  or  destinations  which  show 
outstanding  practice  in  the  planning,  development  and  management  of  "sustainable 
tourism". The award  is area-based and does not seek to duplicate existing awards which 
focus  on  particular  products  (e.g.  hotels)  or  on  particular  themes  (e.g.  transport). The 
entrants (who are often  local or regional authorities) have been required to submit bids in 
partnership  with  the  tourism  industry  at  the  destination,  tour  operators, environmental 
groups and other relevant organisations. The prize, intended to be a prestigious award  for 
the  winning  region,  is  to  be  given  every  two  years,  following  an  open  competition 
organised at the regional, national levels, by competent tourist authorities. 

Another project co-financed during  1994 in the field of tourism and the environment was 
the  Earthwatch  Network  (covering  D,  NL,  I,  ES),  designed  to  encourage  greater 
conservation awareness amongst tourists and related businesses. 

21 

In addition,  in order  to  support  an  initiative  that  encourages  all  forms  of  environmental-
friendly  tourism, the Commission  intends to establish a pan-European  network which will 
draw together the main  interests  from  the environment  and tourism fields and assist  in the 
dissemination  of  information  and  guidance  to the tourism  industry,  the  public  sector  and 
other parties. 

2.5. 

RURAL 

TOURISM 

The  Council  Decision  92/421/EEC  states:  Community  action  in this field is designed  to 
develop tourist activities in a rural  environment. 

Tourism  needs  to  be  part  of  a  global  concept  of  a  rural  development  plan.  While  rural 
areas offer  great potential  for  the development  of European tourism, tourism, equally  has 
had  an  important  role  to  play  in  rural  development.  In  regions  where,  because  of  their 
location, local communities are susceptible to disintegration, rural tourism can also have a 
role  to  play  in  maintaining  these  communities.  Indeed,  it  is worth  noting  that  under  the 
LEADER  I Initiative  (concluded  in  1994), intended  to promote via local action  groups, a 
bottom-up approach to rural development, tourism was identified  as a priority  (see Annex 
6, "Community  Initiatives" for further  details on "Leader"). 

Support  for  improved  information  for  rural  tourism  operators  and  better  access  to  the 
various  Community  aid  schemes  available  for  rural  tourism  was  provided  inter  alia 
through  a number  of  Community  measures.  The  launch  and  realisation  of  the  "Practical 
guide:  Community  measures  affecting  tourism"  provides  a  complete  analysis  of  the 
various Community  policies, funds,  programmes and measures which impinge on tourism 
development, including those affecting  rural tourism development. 

Improvements  in  the  quality  of  rural  tourism  and  the  implementation  of  best  practices 
with regard to the products and services offered  is heavily dependent on training. In  1994, 
the  Commission's  invitation  to  submit  projects2'  concerned  with  the  development  of 
tourism  training  and  means  of  attracting  young  people  to  take  up careers  in  the  various 
aspects of the tourism  industry, was also pertinent to the development of rural tourism. 

The  definition  and  harmonisation  of  quality  criteria  and  symbols  on  a  voluntary  basis 
within  Europe  for  rural  tourism  products  (e.g.  rural  tourism  accommodation)  and  the 
development  of a methodology  for  harmonised  implementation  is considered  by  experts 
to be essential  for  the definition  and  marketing  of rural tourism  products (e.g. criteria  for 
computer  reservation  systems).  The  European  Parliament24  and  the  Committee  of  the 
Regions2* also expressed  the need  for  common quality criteria and symbols  for  European 
rural  tourism.  Work  was  developed  in  response  to  this  by  the  Commission  via  a  rural 
tourism  expert  group  with  a  view  to  developing  voluntary  quality  criteria  for  use  by  the 
industry. 

The  conference  "Eurotourism  -  Culture  and  Countryside"  served  to  promote  rural 
tourism, networking, and exchange of best practices. 

94/C  122/07  on  4.5.1994. 

23 
24  Opinion  of  the  Transport  and  Tourism  Committee,  EP.  210.138  of  20.10.1994. 
25  Resolution  CDR  209/94  fin. 

22 

2.6. 

SOCIAL 

TOURISM 

The  Council  Decision  92/421/EEC  states:  "Community  activity  in  this  field  seeks  to 
facilitate  access  to tourism  by groups  of people  who for  various  reasons;  but especially 
for social or health reasons, have difficulty  in taking holidays". 

To  promote  a better  sharing  of information  concerning  the various  methods  used  in the 
Member States to encourage  holiday  taking by certain categories of tourists, research was 
commissioned26  for the production  of a guidebook  for tourists  with  disabilities  travelling 
in Europe; and for a manual  of good  practice  for tourism  professionals  who may have to 
deal with travellers with disabilities. 

Research  for  the  guidebook  "Accessible  Europe"  was  completed  in  1994, and  it  is 
planned  to make  the country  guides  and general  advice  booklet  available  in  1995. As a 
supplement  to  mainstream  guides,  this  publication  is  intended  to  provide  tourists  with 
disabilities  with  useful  information  on choosing, planning and booking holidays,  possible 
sources of funding,  insurance and healthcare, travelling and details on the destination  plus 
useful  information  on specialist contacts. 

The "Group Independent  living-Tourism  for all" was established  within the framework  of 
the  Community  Action  Plan  to  Assist  Tourism  and  "Helios  II", the  third  Community 
action  programme  to  assist  disabled  people27  and convened  on two occasions  in 1994. 
This  initiative  represents  a  first  step  in  realising  the Commissions  intention  to  provide 
support  for the co-ordination  between  Member  States  of measures  aimed  at  eliminating 
barriers  to  the  development  of  tourism  for  the  disabled  and  for  the  exchange  of 
information  in this field. 

Senior citizens  represent  an increasingly  important  segment  of the  tourist  market  and as 
such  require  greater  consideration  to be given  to their  needs as tourists  if they  are to be 
encouraged  to  take  holidays  in  greater  numbers  than  they  do  already.  As  the  most 
commonly  used  form  of  transport  for  departing  on  holidays  is  the  private  motor  car, 
support  (11,000  ECU) was given  to the Alliance  internationale  de  Tourisme/Fédération 
Internationale  d'  Automobile  (AIT/FIA)  to  prepare  a  study  looking  at  the  mobility  of 
elderly  people  with  particular  attention  paid  to the aspects of tourism  and the use of the 
motor car. The report was completed  in 1994. 

2.7. 

YOUTH 

TOURISM 

The Council  Decision  92/421/EEC  states:  "Community  action  in this field is,...  aimed at 
both  promoting  young  people's  knowledge  of  cultures  and  lifestyles  in  the  various 
member states and at making it easier for young people to take holidays." 

The frequency  and variety  of tourism  experiences  gained by young people will  influence 
their  travel  and tourism  habits  in  later  life.  The  1994 "Study  and pilot  actions  in  youth 
tourism" seeks to examine opportunities to improve tourism for young people and thereby 
promote their knowledge of cultures and lifestyles  in the various Member States. In order 
to  develop  the  concept  of  "European  Classes",  a  four-phase  research  project  was 
in  an  expert  workshop,  the 
commissioned  covering,  research,  group  discussion 

26  Calls  for  Proposals  and  for Tenders  (93/C  128/09),  OJ of  8.5.1993. 
27  OJ  L 56/93  of  9.3.1993. 

23 

development  of  models,  designed  to  implement  a  school  exchange  network,  a  practical 
project  based  on  the model  selected  and  a final report  on findings with  recommendations 
for possible  future  actions by the Commission. 

The  project  selected  at  a  cost  of  ECU  167.615  will  try  and  establish  two  types  of 
exchange  model  for  each  identified  youth  group,  and  will  consider  the  outcome  of 
exchanges  organised  in  industrialised  or  rural  areas.  The  model  selected  will  be 
implemented  in 4 countries using  100 young people as a sample. 

Understanding  the  demand  is  essential  if the  appropriate  tourism  offers  are  to  be  made. 
Thus  complementary  to  this  work,  support  (ECU  50,000)  was  given  in  1994  to  the 
European  Travel  Commission,  who  prepared  a  study  on  the  youth  travel  market, 
identifying  the  particular  market  segments,  the  flows  of  young  tourists  to  and  from 
Europe with a socio-economic break down analysis of young tourists. 

2.8. 

EDUCATION  AND 

TRAINING 

Tourism  is  an  important  provider  of  employment  in  Europe  and  currently  (for  several 
regions) one of the very few  net sources of job  creation and income. Despite the fact  that 
tourism  is  such  a  significant  employer,  sometimes  an  insufficient  number  of  people  are 
motivated  to  work  in  the  sector.  The  reasons  for  this  derive  from  the  relatively 
unattractive  image  of employment  in tourism.  Education  and training  in tourism, aims to 
provide  the managers and the human  resources  with the necessary  qualifications  that  will 
lead to the establishment  of high quality standards in tourism services. 

On  that  basis,  the  Council  Decision  92/421/EEC  states  that  "Community  action  in  this 
field is aimed, through support for existing policies, at making the tourist industry in the 

Community  more  competitive 
Community  tourism". 

through  support  for 

increased  professionalism 

in 

In  1994, among  the five measures  listed  in this  Decision,  the Community  supported  and 
promoted  transnational  and cross-border pilot projects aiming to28: 

familiarise  young  people  with  working  in  tourism,  most  notably  by  disseminating 
information  on tourism activities, careers and skills; 

establish  transnational  and  cross-border  co-operation  aiming  to  improve  education 
and  training  in  all  areas  of  tourism  and  particularly  in  the  field  of  training  the 
trainers; and create contact networks, in order to improve the quality of the services 
offered. 

The ten  projects  selected  were representative  of the above  measures, examining  different 
issues  relevant  to  tourism  education  and  training:  in  the  Alpine  regions; developing  and 
transferring  training  methodologies  for  tourism  SMEs,  involving  education/training  for 
sustainable  tourism20. The EC financial contribution  committed  in  1994 for these  projects 
was ECU  1,260,000.  The monitoring of projects  is to be continued during 1995. 

28  OJ  C  122,  ol  4.5.1994. 
T-)  A  table  of  the  ten  projects  is  provided  in  Annex  3. 
24 

Selection  of Tourism  Education  and Training  Projects  1994 

"European  Education  & Training  Initiative  in Sustainable Tourism  Management" 
By  developing  pilot  curriculum  material  which  can  be  employed  and  adapted  in  a  variety  of  cultural 
settings  throughout  the  EEA,  and  by  disseminating  good  practice  through  existing  transnational 
networks,  the  project  provides  an  influential  and  cost  effective  means  of  improving  the  quality  of 
tourism  education  &  training.  This  project  trains  managers  in the  management  of  sustainable  tourism 
development  in order to ensure that the European  tourism  industry will remain competitive, maintain  its 
economic sustainability  and conserve  its cultural and environmental  resources. 

in  Greece  with  careers 

in  tourism:  An  Anglo-Greek 

"Familiarisation  of  young  people 
comparison" 
The  aim  of  this  action  developed  in  Athens  and  Nottingham,  is  to  familiarise  young  people  with 
working  in tourism,  most  notably  by disseminating  information  on tourism  activities, careers  and  skills 
in  Greece,  in  comparison  with  the  UK.  The  actual  target  groups  will  be  determined  following  the 
preliminary group discussions  and surveys  included  in the project.  School children  aged  between  15-16 
are  the  main  target  group.  This  project,  having  a  comparative  character,  gives  an  in-depth  insight  of 
measuring  the  impact  of  this  familiarisation  by  conducting  questionnaire  surveys  in  schools  and  by 
analysing and presenting their results. 

"Impact  &  Challenges  of  Future  Labour  markets  for  Systems  of  Education  and  Training  in 
Tourism  in the Alpine Regions of Austria, Italy & France 
By  focusing  on  the  Alpine  region,  this  project  aims  to  examine  the  changing  trends  in  tourism 
employment  as  a result  of the  strong  secular  changes  in the structure, conduct  and  performance  of  the 
various sub-sectors of tourism. In particular, this projects examines the efficiencies  in the functioning  of 
labour  and  training/education  markets  in  establishing  an  adequate  long-term  supply  of  manpower  to 
meet the changing demands for  labour in tourism and its sub-sectors. 

Meanwhile co-operation and co-ordination with other Commission services continued for 
1994, mainly through the programmes FORCE and EUROTECNET. 

2.9. 

PROMOTION 

IN  THIRD  COUNTRIES 

The Council Decision 92/421/EEC states: "Community action in this field is directed at 
making Europe a more attractive destination for tourists from distant countries". 

In  the  last  decade,  Europe's  relative  market  share  of  world  tourism  has  declined  as 
competition  from  emerging destinations has increased. The objective of the "Community 
action is to encourage more international visitors to come to Europe by raising awareness 
in  target markets about Europe. 

Attention  has  been  focused  on  promoting Europe as  a tourist  destination both  to  major 
existing  markets,  specifically  the  United  States,  and  those  which  show  rapid  growth, 
notably  Japan.  The  campaign  is  intended  primarily  for  leisure  visitors  and  seeks  to 
promote  the  concept  of  Europe as  an  experience rather than  specifically  promoting any 
one of the many tourist products which exist. 

Campaign  actions  launched  in  1994  concerned  the  USA  market  and  included  an 
advertorial  in  a  major  American  magazine, use  of  a  series  of  large  illuminated  display 
panels in seven US airports, the screening of 60-second video slots on  15,000 internal US 
flights  and  a  total  of  240  minutes  divided  into  two-minute slots  on  an  American  cable 
television  station. The overall  intention  is to  influence  in the  long-term, potential clients 
who can be  classed  in the  "young achievers" category. To monitor interest, a  freephone 
number  has  also  been established  permitting direct  responses from  interested  clients. In 
addition7,  an  evaluation  exercise  (a  "before  and  after"  consumer  survey  on  views  of 
Europe) was included as a part of the overall campaign. The results are to be available in 

25 

1995. 

A research project  examining market trends relating to inbound tourists was started by the 
European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) during  1994. The objectives of this project 
are  to  monitor  the  trends  of  major  European  destinations;  identify  new  products  and 
markets; and  offer  background  research  of future  promotion  actions to  be undertaken  in 
the future. 

3. 

CO-OPERATION  AND  CO-ORDINATION  TO  ENSURE 
GREATER CONSISTENCY  OF COMMUNITY MEASURES 

As a result  of  in-depth  discussions,  the  institutional  dialogue  improved  during  1994  and 
actions were  taken  to  strengthen  co-operation  and  co-ordination at  all levels  (European, 
national, local) in order to achieve a more consistent and systematic approach to tourism. 

3.1. 

THE  TOURISM  MANAGEMENT 

COMMITTEE 

The Tourism Management  Committee30,  created  to  assist  with the  implementation  of  the 
tourism action plan and composed  of representatives of the Member States and chaired by 
the  Commission  was  convened  on  four  occasions  during  1994  (4.1.1994,  24.3.1994, 
28.6.1994  and  14.11.1994)  to  assess  the  completion  of  the  programme  of  work 
implemented in  1993, and for the purposes of consultation and approval of the  1994 work 
programme  and  its  various  elements.  At  the  meeting  of  14.11.1994,  the  Management 
Committee  received  an executive  report  of  actions realised  in  1994 to  assist  tourism  and 
their  budgets.  Subsequently,  the  programme  of  work  to  be  implemented  under  the 
Community  Action  Plan  To  Assist  Tourism  in  1995  was  discussed  and  agreed  with  the 
Commission. 

Participation  in  this  Committee  was  expanded  to  include  representatives,  from  Finland, 
Iceland,  Norway,  Sweden  and  Austria,  as  a result  of their  membership  of  the  European 
Economic Area  and  their financial contribution  to the  1994 budget  of the Tourism  action 
plan  which  permitted  active  participation  in  all  initiatives  launched  by  interested  parties 
from these countries. 

30  Council  Decision  on  a Community  Action  Plan  to Assist Tourism,  Article  3,2. 

26 

3.2. 

THE  TOURISM  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE  AND  INDUSTRY 

REPRESENTATIVES 

The Tourism  Advisory  Committee31 and Industry  Representatives, were convened on four 
occasions  (5.1.1994,  25.3.1994,  1.7.1994, and  15.11.1994),  for more general  discussions 
on  issues  having an impact  on tourism  and for the purpose  of exchanges  of  information. 
Moreover,  for the first time  a meeting  was held  with the National  Tourist  Boards on the 
issue of promoting  Europe as a tourist destination  in third countries, particularly the USA, 
in  concertation  with  the promotion  measures  being  implemented  under  the action  plan. 
Again  participation  in the Advisory  Committee  was expanded  to include the EEA-EFTA 
countries. 

3.3. 

CO-OPERA TION WITH THE PRESIDENCY 

Under the Greek presidency, an informal  Council of tourism Ministers, held in Athens, on 
15.4.1994,  was  presented  with  the  "Report  on  Community  Measures  Affecting 
Tourism"32  and  a  final  report  on  the  implementation  of  a  two-year  tourism  statistics 
programme33. More significantly,  the discussions held at this informal  meeting of tourism 
Ministers  provided  the impetus  for the Commission  to open the debate on the role of the 
Union in the development  of tourism  in Europe, in the first instance by preparing a Green 
Paper on the subject. 

3.4. 

INTER-SERVICE 

CONSULTATION 

AND  CO-OPERATION 

BETWEEN 

THE 

COMMUNITY 

INSTITUTIONS 

To  ensure  a consistent  approach  to  tourism  in Community  measures  and policies  (both 
direct  and indirect)  which  reflected  the objectives  of the Council  Decision  92/421/EEC, 
inter-service  consultation  and co-operation  between the European  Institutions was an on 
going process during  1994, with efforts  being made to establish a proactive advisory  role 
in the co-ordination of European measures affecting  tourism. 

3.4.1 

Intcr-scrvice  Consultation 

The  Tourism  Inter  Service  Group  of  the  Commission  was  consulted  on  among  other 
subjects,  the  first  annual  "Report  on  Community  Measures  Affecting  Tourism",  the 
implementation of the action  plan as well as the development of a proposed  Directive and 
Recommendation on gathering harmonised  tourism statistics. 

Tourism  issues were also taken  into consideration  within the context and development of 
various policies  initiated  by other  services. "The Local  Employment  Initiative" (a  follow 
up  action  to the  White  Paper  on  Growth,  Competition  and  Employment)  has  identified 
tourism  as an important  source of local job creation.  Implementation  of the  "Information 
Society"  in  order  to  stimulate  greater  competitiveness  in  the  Union  and  Growth  is of 

31  Council  Decision  of  22.12.1986  instituting  a  process  of  consultation  and cooperation  in  the  field  of 

tourism.  OJ  L 384/52,  31.12.1986. 

33 

32  Report  from  the Commission  to the  Council,  the  European  Parliament  and the  Economic  and  Social 
Committee  on Community  Measures  affecting  tourism,  COM(94)  74  final,  Brussels,  8.4.1994. 
Final  Report  from  the  Commission  to  the  Council,  European  Parliament  and  the  Economic  and 
Social  Committee  on  the  "implementation  of  the  Council  Decision  90/665/EEC,  17.12.1990 
concerning  a  two year  programme  1991-1992  on  the  development  of  Community  tourism  statistics, 
COM(93)345  final,  1.9.1993. 

27 

interest  for  the  tourism  sector  which  increasingly  depends on telecommunications  for  the 
marketing  and  sale  of  tourist  products.  With  regard  to  the  development  of  a  European 
code of  conduct  for  CRS, efforts  were  made  to  ensure  that  consequences  for  the  tourist 
operators were  taken  into account.  With respect  to the Structural  Funds, agreement  of the 
Community  support  frameworks,  Single  Programming  Documents  and  Operational 
Programmes has also required  that attention be given to the tourism elements. The impact 
of  tourism  has  also  been  considered  in  some  of  the  specific  research  programmes 
developed  under the Fourth  Framework Programme such as the Environment  and  Climate 
Programme  which  is  concerned  with  research  for  the  protection  of  cultural  heritage. 
Within the framework  of external affairs,  consultations took place to promote consistency 
with  Community  measures  in  third  countries.  The  Commission  met  various  delegations 
from  Cyprus  and  Poland  in October  1994 in order to exchange  information  and  opinions 
about  Tourism  Development.  "Raphael", the proposed  programme  of actions  in the field 
of  cultural  heritage  will  complement  actions  realised  in  the  field  of  cultural  tourism. 
Within the framework  of the development  of "Sustainable  Cities" a working group exists 
to  consider  specifically  the  impact  of  Tourism.  Spatial  planning  of  the  Community 
territory  is essential  if sustainable  development  is to be achieved;  in this context,  tourism 
activities and their location, have been given serious consideration. 

3.4.2.  Co-operation  between Community  Institutions 

The  Resolutions  of  the  European  Parliament  on  "Tourism  in  the  approach  to  the  year 
2000"  (EP.  178.920  final  of  18.1.1994)  and  the  yearly  report  for  1993  on  "Community 
measures affecting  tourism (EP.  185.379 final of  15.12.1994) actively supported the work 
in  tourism  undertaken  by  the  Commission.  This  support  was  further  underlined  by  the 
additional  3  MECU  allocated  by  the  budgetary  authority  to the  1995 tourism  budget  for 
the  development  of  Community  Tourism  statistics34.  The  Commission  was  also  able  to 
participate  in  the  informal  consultations  of  the  European  Parliament  with  Tourism 
industry  representatives  in  the  Tourism  Inter  Group  on a range  of tourism  issues  during 
1994. 

The Economic  and  Social  Committee's  own  initiative  Opinion  on  "Tourism"33  supported 
more attention  being focused  on the development of the tourist industry  in the discussions 
concerning  the revision of the European Treaties. It also recommended  a follow-up  to the 
current  tourism  action  plan  once  the  programmes  comes  to  an  end  in  1995  and 
contributed to the debate on tourism development  in the European Union. 

Similarly,  the  preparation  by  Sub-committee  2  "Tourism  and  Rural  Areas"  of  the 
Committee  of  the  Regions,  of  an  Opinion  on  the  development  of  Rural  Tourism  also 
served  the  same  purpose  with  the  discussion  in  this  instance  being  focused  on  the 
development of rural tourism policies in the regions of the European Union. 

34 

35 

Final  adoption  of  the  general  budget  of  the  European  Union  for  the  financial  year  1995,  JO  L  369 
of  31.12.1994,  p.  1096. 
ESC  453/94  final  of  4.8.1994. 

28 

3.5. 

EXPERTS' 

GROUPS 

Rural  Tourism 

A working group of  10 experts (coming  from  the main  European associations  involved  in 
rural  tourism) has been  set  up to define  and  harmonise  voluntary  quality  criteria  for  rural 
tourism-accommodation  and  establish  a  methodology  in  order  to  eventually  achieve  a 
Europeanwide  Standard  for the definition  and marketing of the rural  tourism products. 

The  work  plan  was  to  develop  a  first  draft  proposal  of  quality  criteria  for  several  rural 
tourism-offers  and a list of symbols which could be agreed by the Member States. 

The  group  met  twice,  21/22.2.1994  and  18/19.7.1994,  to  elaborate  proposals  for  quality 
criteria  for  several  rural  tourism  offers  and a list of symbols, concerning  various  types of 
rural  tourism  offers:  "Holidays  in  the  countryside",  "Farm  holidays",  "Holiday  flats  and 
houses", "Country  hotels and  country  guest  houses" and  "Country  camp sites" as well  as 
"Riding holidays". All are examples of theme holidays offered  in the countryside. 

As  the  Group  includes  representatives  from  three  of  the  major  European  rural  tourism 
networks  with  national  and  regional  member  organisations, 
the  proposals  were 
disseminated  for  general  consultation  in  order  to  ensure  that  national  and  regional 
differences  were taken  into  consideration,  and that any  quality  criteria finally established 
will be easy to adopt by rural tourism operators on a voluntary basis. 

Social  Tourism-" Group Independent  Living  -  Tourism for  All" 

In joint  collaboration,  the  services  of  the  Commission  responsible  for  tourism  and  all 
aspects  affecting  the  lives  of  people  with  disabilities,  have  stimulated  the  creation  of  a 
forum  of  experts  in  the  fields  of  tourism,  physical  disability  and  mental  disability.  The 
participants  were nominated  by  the  tourism  ministries  of the  Member  States. The  Group 
was  convened  for  the  first  time  on  8.3.1994.  Under  the  title  of  "Group  Independent 
living-Tourism  for all" it is intended  to bring these experts together at least twice per year 
and  provide  them  with  the  necessary  support  to  develop  national  networks  of  interested 
groups  to  share  information  and  co-ordinate  actions  concerning  the  development  and 
promotion  of  tourism  in  Europe  for  people  with  disabilities.  The  second  meeting  of  this 
group in Brussels took  place on  16.11.1994 and for  the first time included  representatives 
from  all the Member countries of the EEA. In  1995, it is intended that sub-groups will  be 
established  to address  specific  issues  of relevance  to both  the tourist  industry  and  people 
with disabilities e.g. accessibility  standards, information  provision, quality etc. The group 
with its national networks of interested NGOs also represents a useful  distribution  tool  for 
the dissemination  of information  at the national and local  level on this particular aspect of 
tourism. 

As  far  as  it  is  possible  to  evaluate  these  direct  measures  at  this  stage,  it  is obvious  that 
there  have  been  positive  results  in  terms  of  their  impact  and  efficacy  on  tourism 
development  (notably,  the  deepening  of  knowledge  about  European  tourism,  the 
development  of  exchanges  of  best  practices,  the  enhancement  of  transnational  co 
the 
operation  and  the  heightened  awareness  about  the  role  of  tourism  in  fulfilling 
fundamental  objectives of the European  Union), though these appear to be variable. 

29 

This  general  analysis  needs  to  be  lurther  qualified  by taking  into consideration,  on  the  one 
hand,  the  number  and  diversity  of  interventions  required  under  the  Council  Decision  and 
the  limited  resources  available  to  support  them,  and  on  the  other  hand,  the  slowly 
evolving  interest  of  the different  partners  in supporting  these  actions.  Moreover,  it  should 
not  be  forgotten  that  the  different  actors  involved,  due  to  the  heterogeneous  nature  of  the 
tourist  industry,  do  not  always,  nor  indeed  necessarily,  share  the  same  objectives  or  the 
same  level  of  expertise. 

The  second  year  of  implementation  of  the  Action  Plan,  however,  does  confirm  for  all 
concerned  the  need  to  keep  on  building  on  the  common  experience,  though  with  a  more 
focused  approach,  relying  ever  more  heavily  on  co-ordination. 

30 

Ill  OTHER  COMMUNITY  MEASURES  AFFECTING 

TOURISM 

Tourism  has been  identified  as a recurring  element  within  the  framework  of many  of the 
other Community  measures. ' 

Indeed, the use of tourism as a tool  to effect  a policy  is very much dependent  on what the 
overall  objective  is  of  the  particular  measure  in  question  and  the  degree  of  recognition 
given to the potential of tourism in the given context. 

Despite  the  large  range  of  these  interventions,  however,  this  report  shows  how  many  of 
them  relate  - though  not  always  in  the  most  co-ordinated  way  - to  what  from  a  tourism 
perspective  are  considered  to  be  the  main  elements  of  any  global  strategy,  namely  the 
tourist, the tourist industry  and the tourist  resources. 

L 

THE TOURIST 

Ensuring  the satisfaction  of the needs of the tourist  and  facilitating  their access to tourist 
opportunities,  within  the  framework  of  tourism  development,  represents  one of the  three 
major  priorities  of  any  tourism  development.  The  tourist,  in  order  to  realise  his  tourist 
expectations,  needs  to  be  able  to  travel  with  the  minimum  of  restrictions,  requires 
sufficient  consumer  information  in  order  to  be  able to take  up the  tourism  opportunities 
that exist  and  also to  protect  his personal  safety  and his  legal  and  economic  rights  while 
outside  of  his  usual  environment.  During  1994,  within  the  framework  of  Community 
measures,  a  wide  range  of  issues  have  been  addressed  which  ultimately  will  serve  to 
benefit  the  tourist  in  terms  of  greater  freedom  of  movement,  protection  of  personal 
interests and improved access to tourism, albeit  indirectly. 

Some  would  go  further  and  consider  that  European  citizens  have  a  right  to  tourism  and 
leisure in the same way that  they  have  a right  to employment16. In this context,  measures 
within the European Union have been undertaken to help to remove those obstacles which 
were preventing some citizens from  taking holidays. 

1.1. 

FREE  MO  VEMENT  OF  THE 

TOURIST 

In  conformity  with  the  jurisprudence  of  the  Court  of  Justice,  Community  nationals  as 
recipients of tourism services already enjoy  rights of entry and of stay. 

1.1.1 

The elimination  of physical  frontiers 

Article  7A  of  the  Treaty  calls  for  the  establishment  in  stages  of  an  internal  market 
comprising "an area without  internal  frontiers". 

There  are  difficulties  in  attaining  this  objective,  which  contributes  to  the  freedom  of 
movement  of  tourists  and  the  development  of  tourism,  and  these  have  prompted,  for 
example,  the  resolution  of  the  European  Parliament  of  11.3.1994 on  the  incompatibility 

36 

"Tourism  in  the  approach  of  the  year  2000"  EP  178.920/final,  of  18.1.1994. 

31 

of passport  checks  carried  out  by  certain  airlines  with  Article  7a of the  EC  Treaty37. 

1.1.1.1.  Checks  on  persons 

Under  paragraph  3  of  Article  100C  of  the  EC  Treaty,  and  following  its  proposal  for  a 
Regulation  of  December  1993  determining  the  third  countries  whose  nationals  must  be  in 
possession  of  a  visa  when  crossing  the  external  borders  of  the  Member  States38  and  its 
proposal  for  a Decision  of  December  1993  establishing  the  Convention  on  the crossing  of 
the  external  frontiers  of  the  Member  States39,  on  4.8.1994  the  Commission  presented  a 
proposal  for  a Council  Regulation  (EC)  laying  down  a uniform  format  for  visas40. 

that 

The  Commission  proposed 
this  visa,  which  should  be  uniform  and  clearly 
identifiable,  should  be  issued  by  the  Member  States, and  produced  in the  form  of a  sticker 
to  be  glued  in  the  holder's  travel  document,  containing  all  the  necessary  information  and 
against 
technical 
meeting  very  high 
counterfeiting  and  falsification. 

standards,  notably  as 

safeguards 

regards 

In the  same  field,  the  Commission  has  also  begun  to draw  up  proposals  for  Directives  on 
the  right  of  nationals  of  non-Community  countries  to  travel  within  the  Community,  and 
on the elimination  of checks  on  persons  at internal  borders. 

It is very  clear  that  this  set  of  measures  is such  as  to encourage  flows  of  tourists, as  much 
from  within  the Community  as  from  non-Community  countries, and  to give  these  tourists 
the feeling  that  Europe,  as  such,  is a single  tourist  destination. 

the  Schengen  Agreement, 

In  view  also  of  the  progress  made  by  the  end  of  1994  in  the  preparations  for 
implementing 
the  Schengen  Executive  Committee  set 
26.3.1995  as the  date  of  entry  into  force  of  Schengen  Agreement  concluded  among  seven 
countries  of  the  Union,  i.e.  Belgium,  France,  Germany,  Luxembourg,  the  Netherlands, 
Portugal, and  Spain. 

1.1.1.2.  Public  Health 

Protection  of  the  tourist  is  a  stated  objective  of  the  Community  action  plan  to  assist 
tourism41.  With  greater  movement  of  tourists,  a  part  of  that  protection  involves  public 
health.  The  scope  of  EU  policies  and  measures  that  have  a  bearing  on  the  protection  of 
the  health  of  tourists  is  broadening.  In  1994  the  Commission  proposed  four  Community 
action  programmes  on  health  promotion,  combating  cancer;  combating  AIDS42 and  other 
transmissible  diseases  and  the  prevention  of drug  addiction. 

On  1.6.1994, the  Commission  adopted  a communication  accompanied  by  a proposal  for  a 
Parliament  and  Council  Decision  adopting  a  programme  of  Community  action 
(1995-1999)  on  health  promotion,  information,  education  and  training43.  This  programme 

37  O JC  91, 28.3.1994,  p.  316. 
38  O JC  11,  15.1.1994,  p.  15. 
39  O JC  11,  15.1.1994,  p.  6. 
40  O JC  238,  26.8.1994,  p.  8. 
41  Article 4  ,2(0  (92/421/EEC)  OJ  L  13.8.1992. 
42  A  Common  position  was  adopted  2.6.1994  on  the  Council  and  Parliament  Decision  to  prolong  the 
programme  "Europe  against  Aids" 
-1991-1993-  (  4.6.1991,  OJ  L  175,  of  4.7.1991)  until 
31.12.1995  with  a  budget  of  ECU  18  million.  "Activity  3"  of  this  programme  is  concerned  with  the 
problems  associated  with  travel  and  tourismCouncil  Decision. 

43  COM(94)  202,  Bull  6-94,  point  1.2.201  of  1.6.1994,  OJ  C  252  of  9.9.1994  p.  3. 

32 

identifies  priority areas  for actions designed  to influence  behaviour  in the field of health. 

1.1.2.  The elimination  of fiscal  barriers 

Council  Directive  94/4/EC  of  14.2.199444  increases  allowances  for  travellers  from  third 
countries and the limits on duty-free  purchases in intra-Community  travel. 

1.1.2.1.  Duty-free s h ops 

Directive  94/4/EC  raised  from  ECU  45  to  ECU  90  the  limit  on  duty-free  purchases  per 
passenger  and  per journey  in  the  sales  outlets  permitted  under  Article  28k  of  Directive 
77/388/EEC45,  as  amended  by  Directive  91/680/EEC46  and  92/12/EEC47.  The  Member 
States  were  required  to  incorporate  the  new  limit  in  their  legislation  by  1.4.1994  at  the 
latest. 

1.1.2.2.  Travellers from  non-Community  countries 

The  limit  of  ECU  45  was  raised  to  ECU  175  by  the  above-mentioned  Directive 
94/4/EEC. For travellers under  15 years of age, the limit was raised from  ECU 23 to ECU 
90. The Directive  also  contains  transitional  measures  for  Spain, as already  mentioned  in 
the  1993 Report48. 

The derogation  for  Germany  was  amended  once  again  by  Council  Directive  94/75/EEC 
of  22.12.199449,  amending  Directive  94/4/EC  and  introducing  a  derogation  measure 
applicable  to  Austria.  Germany  and  Austria  are authorised  until  1.1.1998 at the  latest,  to 
apply  a duty-free  limit  of not  less than  ECU  75  to goods  imported  by travellers  entering 
German  and  Austrian  territory  across  a  land  border  linking  them  to  countries  other  than 
the  Member  States  and  the  EFTA  member  countries,  or,  where  applicable,  by  coastal 
navigation from  the said countries. 

1.2. 

PROTECTION  OF  THE  TOURIST  AS  A  CONSUMER 

The  second  year  of  the  Second  Action  Programme  for  Consumer  Policy  (1993-1995)50 
continued  to  focus  on the  improvement  of  the  main areas of consumer  rights  - consumer 
information,  protecting  consumers'  physical  health  and  safety,  and  representing  and 
protecting the legal and economic interests of consumers. 

44  OJ  L60,  3.3.1994,  p.  14. 
45  OJ  L  145,  13.6.1977,  p.  1. 
46  OJ  L376,  31.12.1991,  p.  I. 
47  OJ  L 76,  23.3.1992,  p.  1. 
48  Report on Communily measures  affecting  tourism  COM(94) 74 final, 1.3.1994, p. 26. 
49  OJ  L 365,  31.12.1994,  p.  52. 
50  COM(93)  378  final,  28.7.1993;  Report  on  Community  measures  affecting  tourism  COM(94)  74 

final  1.3.1994. 

33 

Consumer  participation,  information  and  education 

the  Commission's  Decision51, 

Consumer  Participation 
the  Consumers' 
Following 
Consultative  Council  were  modified.  The  European  Consumers  Forum  was  also  set  up  with  the  aim  of 
bringing  together  once  or  twice  a  year, 
representatives  of  those  concerned  with  consumer  affairs, 
namely  producers,  consumers,  industry,  experts  and  social  partners.  The  first  meeting  of  the  Forum 
took  place  on  4.10.1994".  The  issues  discussed  were  "guarantees  and  after  sales  services"  and  "  access 
of consumers  to justice"  the  latter  being  of  special  interest  to tourists. 

functioning  and  membership  of 

the 

Consumer  Information  and  Education 
In  "The  European  Consumer  guide  to  the  Single  Market"Sj  which  provides  useful  information  about 
consumer  rights  within  the  framework  of  European  legislation  in  about  twenty  different  areas,  a  whole 
section  is  devoted  to  tourism  and  travel.  It  covers  the  Package  Travel  Directive  and  the  Council 
Regulation  on  the  compensation  system  for  denied  boarding  of  scheduled  flights,  car  hire  across  the 
Member  States,  the  code  of  conduct  relating  to  central  reservation  systems  and  health  cover  using  the 
El  11  within  the  European  Union.  In  view  of  the  growing  interest  in  electronic  publications  in  general 
and  in  the  INTERNET  in  particular,  the  "European  Consumer's  Guide  to  the  Single  Market"  has  also 
been  made  available  via  the  World  Wide  Web  (WWW). 

The  "Co-line  European  Network"  represents  a  pilot  project  to  link  a  series  of  databases  in  Portugal, 
Spain,  France,  Luxembourg  and  Germany  which  provide  information  (references  plus  a  summary)  on 
applicable  consumer  legislation  at  the  Community,  national  and  regional  level.  It  includes  issues 
affecting  tourism.  The  intention  is to extend  this  network  to  Ireland,  Italy, Greece,  Belgium  and  Austria. 

1.2.1.  Health  and  physical  safety 

1.2.1.1.  EH LASS - A ccident Prevention 
The Parliament  and Council Decision  (3092/94/EC)54 adopted on 7.12.199455,  established 
a Community  system  of  information  on  home  and  leisure  accidents  many  of which  take 
place  in  a  tourist  context.  Over  a  period  of  4  years  information  will  be  collected  from 
hospitals  and  households  on  such  accidents  in  order  to  take  preventative  measures.  In 
1994,  Member  States  received  an  80%  Community  contribution 
the 
implementation of the system. 

to  ensure 

1.2.1.2.  Fire Safety in Hotels 

In  response  to  the  Resolution  issued  by  the  European  Parliament  of  May  1994,  the 
Commission  has undertaken the initiative  to produce a study on fire safety  in hotels. The 
objectives  are  to  analyse  the  application  of  existing  EC and  national  regulations  in  this 
field across  the  Member  States  and  formulate  proposals,  not  necessarily  of  a  regulatory 
nature, on how to improve fire safety  in hotel accommodation. 

/. 2.1.3.  Safety of Gas and Liquid Fuel Appliances 

In the  wake  of  an  increasing  number  of  reports  of domestic  accidents  and  deaths  taking 
place  either  in  the  home  or  in  tourist  accommodation,  caused  by  carbon  monoxide 
poisoning  resulting  from  either  the  faulty  installation  or  maintenance  of  gas  and  liquid 
fuel  appliances, the Commission  launched  a study on this subject56. The study is intended 

51  Decision  94/146/EC  OJ  L  64,  8.3.1994. 
52  Bulletin  EU  10-1994  1.2.124. 
53  OPOCE,  Luxembourg  1995. 
54  OJ  L  331  of  21.12.1994  p.  1. 
55  A  proposal  for  a  Council  and  Parliament  Decision  to  modify  this  decision  was  in  progress  during 

1994. 
'Safety  of  Gas  and  Liquid  Appliances'  Call  for  Tender  OJ  C  235/13  of  23.8.1994. 

56 

34 

to look at the provisions  made across the Member  States concerning  the safety  aspects of 
the  installation  and  the  maintenance  of  such  appliances  and consider  possible  courses  of 
action  to  reduce  the  number  of  accidents  that  are  occurring.  By  focusing  on  a  specific 
sector  where  a need  for  attention  has  been  established  this  study  is also  in  line  with  the 
provisions  of  the  "Communication  from  the  Commission  on  new  directions  on  the 
liability  of suppliers of services"57. It is also complementary  to the proposed  amendments 
to the Directive on appliances burning gaseous fuels  38. 

1.2.2.  Economic  and  legal  interests 

Tourists, because of the  nature  of tourism  activities, often  find  themselves  in a vulnerable 
position with regard  to their economic and  legal interests. They buy tourism products and 
services,  sight  unseen,  relying  on  the  accuracy  of  information  provided  and  while  on 
holiday  have  to  rely  more  heavily,  on  others  to  protect  their  interests.  A  number  of 
consumer measures are of particular interest to the tourist  sector. 

J>9 
1.2.2.1.  The Package  Travel Directive* 

This Directive aims by setting minimum  standards to approximate laws relating to  package 
holidays,  package  tours  and  package  holidays  and  also  establish  common  minimum 
standards  of  protect  and  thus  offer  the  consumer  comparable  conditions  in  any  of  the 
Member States. 

As  yet,  the  Directive  has  not  been  transposed  by  all  Member  States  into  their  national 
legislation  even  though  the  deadline  for  implementation  was  31.12.1992  to  take  effect 
from  1.1.1993.  By  the  end  of  1994  nine  countries  had  notified  the  Commission  of 
transposition:  Belgium,  Germany,  Luxembourg,  the  United  Kingdom,  Portugal,  the 
Netherlands,  Italy, France and  Denmark.  Ireland,  Greece and  Spain  have still  not  done  so 
to this date. 

The  biggest  problem  with  implementation  has  been  associated  with  the  creation  of 
guarantee  schemes  to  protect  consumers'  interests  following  the  purchase  of  a  package, 
prior to departure and  after  departure  in the holiday destination.  The Commission  intends 
to carry out a study concerning article 7 of the Directive and the problems it has given rise 
to in the Member State as regards creating guarantee schemes. 

1.2.2.2.  Timeshare 

The Directive  concerning  protection  for  purchasers  in respect  of contracts  relating  to  the 
purchase of the right to use immovable properties on timeshare basis was finally  adopted 
on 26.10.199460. It seeks to regulate a growth  sector of the tourist market that  is evolving 
rapidly, particularly  in the types of products on offer.  The Directive lays down  provisions 
concerning  the  prior  information  which  purchasers  must receive on the constituent  parts 
of a 'timeshare' contract, the procedures  for cancellation and withdrawal  from  the contract 
(consumers  have a  10-day cooling  period) and  places a ban on advance  payments  during 
the  'cooling  period'.  This  is  a  major  step  towards  enabling  consumers  in  any  Member 
State  to  purchase  rights  in  timeshare  properties  in  any  other  Member  States,  confident 
interests  are  protected.  The  Directive  should  be 
that  their 

legal  and  economic 

57  COM(94)  260  final,  23.6.1994  Brussels. 
58  Council  Directive  90/396/EEC. 
59  Council  Directive  90/314/EEC,  OJ  L  158/59,  23.6.1990. 
6(>  Council  and  Parliament  Directive,  94/47/EC,  OJ  L  2802/83,  29.10.1994. 

35 

implemented  by  all  Member  States  no  later  than  30  months  after  its  publication  in  the 
Official  Journal.  The  Directive  does  not  make  any  provisions  concerning  the  long-term 
management  and  maintenance  of  timeshare  properties  or  the  resale  of  timeshare  rights  as 
is occurring  in  the  more  developed  markets. 

1.2.2.3.  Proposal  for  a  Directive  Concerning  Contracts  Negotiated  at  a  Distance 

("Distance 

Selling")6' 

This  Commission  proposal  for  a  Directive  sets  out  the  minimum  standards  of  protection 
for  consumers  when  negoliating  contracts  with  suppliers  of  goods  and  services  at  a 
distance  by  media  such  the telephone,  fax,  or TV  shopping. 

During  1994,  the  proposal  was  the  subject  of  much  discussion  but  was  not  adopted.  The 
text  of  the  proposal  under  discussion  was  revised  twice  with  a  view  to  adopting  a 
Common  Position  in  1995. 

The  question  of  the  extent  to  which  all  services  including  "services  with  reservation"  (i.e. 
transport,  accommodation,  catering  and  entertainment  services)  will  be  covered  in  scope 
of the  text  has  been  an  issue  of  discussion. 

1.2.2.4.  Communication  on  New  Directions  on  the  Liability  of  Suppliers  of  Services62 

Effectively 
the  new  approach  taken  in  this  Communication  means  withdrawing  the 
proposed  Directive  covering  suppliers  of  services  liability  for  physical  damage  to  persons 
or  property63  which  if  adopted  would  have  had  an  impact  on  tourism  services  offered 
individually  and  not  already  covered  by  the  Package  Travel  Directive.  Instead,  the 
Commission  now 
the 
preparation  of  specific  texts  concerning  sectors  for  which  particular  needs  are  established 
and  support  for  initiatives  relating  to  access  to justice. 

for  consumers, 

to  focus  on 

information 

improved 

intends 

1.2.2.5.  "Access  of  Consumers 

to  Justice  and  the  Settlement  of  Consumer  Disputes 

in 

the  Single  Market" 

This  green  paper  (COM(93)  576)64  which  deals  with  the  global  issue  of  what  is  required 
in  order  to  enable  the  European  consumer  to  obtain  redress  wherever  his  physical  safety 
or  economic  and  legal  interests  have  been  endangered  or  breached-an  issue  of  particular 
the  Council,  European 
interest 
Parliament,  the  Economic  and  Social  Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions.  All 
of  these  institutions  stressed  the  importance  of  taking  concrete  initiatives  at  Community 
level  in order  to  improve  the settlement  of consumer  disputes. 

tourists-received 

favourable 

responses 

from 

for 

1.3. 

O THER  MEASURES 

FA  CILITA  TING  A  CCESS  TO 

TOURISM 

Various  measures  associated  with  strengthening  European  citizenship  or  solidarity  within 
the  social  dimension  of  the  Community  have  had  an  impact  indirectly  on  improving 
access  to  tourism  for  various  categories  of  tourists:  people  with  disabilities;  older  people; 
etc. 

61  COM(92)  11 of  20.5.1992,  OJ  C  156  of  23.6.1992  p.  14. 
62  COM(94)  260  final,  23.6.1994  Brussels. 
63  COM(90)  482  OJ  C  12,  18.1.1991. 
64  COM(93)  576  of  16.11.1993. 

36 

Sport  as  a  means  of  strengthening  European  Citizenship 

Sport  and  tourism  are  very  closely  associated  to  the  extent  that  often  tourism  products  are  heavily 
reliant  on  sports  activities  and  also  sports  activities  may  have  important  built-in  tourism  components. 

Within  the  European  Commission,  sport  has  been  awarded  an  initial  budget  of  2  million  ECU  of  which 
1,3  million  ECU  has  been  allocated  by  the  European  Parliament  to  sport  for  the  handicapped  and  0,7 
million  ECU  towards  the  EURATHLON  programme6 5. 

EURATHLON,  which  is  the  first  Community  programme  to  assist  sport  for  all,  specifically  targets  aid 
for  sport  at the  grass-roots  level. 

1.3.1. 

Initiatives to Assist  Disabled  People 

The  development  of  tourist  products,  facilities  and  services  to  cater  for  tourists  with 
disabilities and those accompanying  them  is a market segment with potential that has still 
to  be  fully  exploited.  On  6.12.1994  the  Council  adopted  a  Decision  (94/782/EC)66 
concerning the continued  development  until 31.12.1996 of the "Handynet" system  within 
the framework  of the HELIOS  II (93/136/EEC)67 the third Community  action  programme 
to assist  people  with  disabilities.  "Handynet"  the  multilingual  computerised  information 
system  which  offers  a database,  an  electronic journal  and  a networking  facility  has  been 
extended  to  improve  the  available  information  on  technological  aids  intended  to  help 
people with disabilities  in all  aspects of their  lives e.g. personal  mobility, participation  in 
leisure activities and thus tourist  activities and general  improvements to the normal  living 
environment. 

In  response  to  the  Council  Resolution  of  16.12.199168,  the  Commission  drew  up  a 
Community  action  programme  on the accessibility  of means of transport  to persons  with 
reduced  mobility69.  This  programme  lays  down  the  actions  which  can  be  taken  at 
Community,  national,  regional  and  local  level  for  giving  easier  access  to  means  of 
transport.  At  the  request  of  the  Council  Working  Party  on  Transport,  at  its  meeting  on 
27.4.1994, the Commission  drew up a list  of priorities  for  measures to be taken70.  In  this 
list, priority  is given to drafting  legislation  laying down  minimum  standards, such as,  for 
example,  type-approval  guidelines  on  the  particular  provisions  to  be  laid  down  for  road 
and  rail  coaches  to  give  easier  access  to  persons  with  reduced  mobility  on  the  basis  of 
existiag  national  specifications,  and  legislation  on  the  various  problems  of  access  and 
movement in airports and aeroplanes. 

This  action  programme  also  provides  for  the  coordination  of  research  and  information 
programmes.  The  COST  322  action  on  research  on  low-floor  buses  is  aimed  at 
demonstrating  the need for  buses which are easier of access, collecting the points of view 
of passengers and carriers, evaluating  efficiency  compared  with other methods, and  lastly 
stipulating  the  specification  criteria  for  buses  and  infrastructures.  The  new  work  plan 
TIDE  (Technological  Initiative  for  Handicapped  and  Aged  Persons)  encompasses 
personal  control  over  safety  of  access  to  public  transport,  which  monitors  projects 
connected with transport  in the current TIDE programme. 

65  O JC  297/06  of  25.10.1994. 
66  OJ  L 316  of  9.12.1994  p.  42. 
67  OJ  L 56  of  9.3.1993  p.  30. 
68  O JC  18,24.1.1992. 
69  COM(93)  433,  26.11.1993. 
SEC(94)  1590,  10.10.1994. 
70 

37 

Three  pilot  projects  on  information 

The first, in Newcastle,  is to design  an  information  system  for  local transport.  The objective  is to draw 
up guidelines  and  recommendations  enabling  persons  with  reduced  mobility  to obtain  the  information 
they need  for  programming their  local travel. 

The  second,  in  Barcelona,  is to  set  up  a  database  giving  information  on  urban  and  inter-city  transport 
for persons suffering  from  motor disabilities. 

Lastly,  a  third  pilot  project  in  Wuppertal  aims  to  design  a  combined  system  of  information  on 
requirements covering the whole transport  chain. 

1.3.2.  Actions  in favour  of senior  citizens 

Within  a  tourism  context,  greater  attention  to  the  needs,  interests  and  tastes  of  older 
tourists is required if such tourists are to be catered for  satisfactorily. 

The size  of  Europe's  ageing  population  is  increasing  rapidly  relative to other  age  groups 
and thus is requiring greater attention to ensure that this category of European citizens are 
not left  on the margins of society  but fully  integrated  into all aspects of life and that there 
is a continuing solidarity between older people and the younger generations. 

The  Parliament  resolution  of  24.2.199471  welcomed  the  results  of  both  the  multi-annual 
action programme and the European  Year of Older People. 

As  a  follow  up  to  these  measures,  a  communication  from  the  Commission  has  been 
prepared  proposing  a  "Council  Decision  on  Community  Support  for  actions  in favour  of 
older  people".  This  provides  an  evaluation  report  on  the  actions  taken  during  the 
European  Year  of  Older  People  and  sets  out  the  objectives  of  this  measure  with  a 
proposed  budget  of  23  MECU  to  develop  issues  relevant  to  Europe's  ageing  population 
up to the year 2000. 

2. 

THE  TOURISTINDUSTRY 

The  development  of  the  tourist  industry  is  taking  place  in  a  context  of  competitiveness 
which  depends  to a great  extent  on the  smooth  operation  of the market  mechanisms,  i.e. 
the  Single  Market  in  this  case.  However,  this  will  not  be  possible  without  assistance  in 
the form of measures to offset  malfunctions  that may appear in the market, and also, more 
generally, to provide the balance which is considered to be indispensable. 

» 

In  both  cases,  the  efficiency  of  the  action  is  subjected  to  a  reliable  analysis,  using 
high-performance  observation tools, in which the statistical apparatus is a key  factor. 

71  OJ C 77 of  14.3.1994. 

38 

Community  statistics:  A key  element  in analysing  the development  of  tourism. 

By  continuing  the  work  on  implementing  the  priority  actions  in  the  field  of  statistical  information 
(Framework  Programme  1993-1997)72  the  means  of  analysing  and  investigating  tourism  can  be 
improved  by  implementing  the measures  adopted  to  improve  information  on other  Community  policies. 
In particular, the Commission's  proposal  on passenger  transport  and the implementation  of the  four-year 
programme  (1994-1997),  which 
is  aimed  at  providing  regular  statistics  on  the  environment  in 
cooperation  with  the  European  Environment  Agency,7'  will  produce  a better  assessment  of the  features 
of,  and  trends  in,  tourist  flows  and  the  state  of  the  European  ecosystem,  which  is one of  the  essential 
factors  in the tourism  industry. 

The  revision  of the  European  System  of  Integrated  Economic  Accounts,  which  was completed  in 1994, 
also affects  tourism,  in that  national  economic  results can now be compared. 

Particular  attention  was also  paid  to tourism  as  part  of the qualitative  and quantitative  improvement  of 
the  dissemination  of  statistical  information  collected  at  Union  level,  since  it  was 
included  in  several 
horizontal  publications  by the Statistical  Office74. 

2.1. 

THE 

SINGLE 

MARKET 

-  A  DYNAMIC 

CONSTRUCTION 

ASSISTING 

COMPETITIVE 

TOURISM 

DEVELOPMENT 

For  simplicity,  we  shall  distinguish  between  three  types  of  complementary  concerns, 
depending  on  whether  the  emphasis  is  on  tourism  activity,  tourism  enterprises  or the 
people and techniques employed  in tourism. 

2.1.1.  Facilitating  tourism  activity  in  the  framework  of  the  completion  of  the 

Internal  Market 

As  stated  above,  tourism  can  help  to  make  Community  citizens  and  enterprises  fully 
aware  of the possibilities  offered  by the internal  market  and the advantages  it  offers  in 
terms of competitiveness, growth and employment. 

Among the many actions relating to the operation of the internal  market which have  been 
undertaken  on the basis  of the strategic  programme  "Getting  the best  out of the  Single 
Market"73, some are more particularly concerned with tourism activity. 

2.1.1.1.  Eliminating  technical  and legal barriers 

The  idea of an area  without  internal  borders  for tourism  implies  notably  free  circulation, 
on  the  one  hand  of  tourists  as  recipients  of  tourist  services,  on  the  other  of  tourist 
operators  as suppliers  of this  type of economic  activity. Two Court judgements  in 1994 
served once again to highlight this double impact on tourism. 

Taking tourists  first, it should  be noted  that  for them  freedom  of movement  implies, as a 
consequence,  non-discriminatory  treatment.  This  was ruled  by the Court  of Justice  in a 
judgement of  15.3.1994 (Case C-45/93), which states that "by applying a system  whereby 
Spanish citizens, foreigners  resident  in Spain and nationals of other Member States of the 
EEC  under  21  years  of  age  benefit  from  free  admission  to  national  museums,  while 
nationals  of  other  Member  States  more  than  21  years  of  age  are  required  to  pay an 
entrance fee, the Kingdom of Spain has failed to fulfil  its obligations  under Articles 7 and 
59 of the EEC Treaty". 

72  Council  Decision  93/464/EEC,  OJ  L 219, 28.8.1993. 
73  Council  Decision  94/808/EEC,  15.12.1994. 
74  Eurostat  catalogue,  publication  and electronic  service,  Publications  Office,  Luxembourg, 1995. 
75  See  also  the  first  Annual  Report  (1993)  on  the  internal  market  (COM(94)  55),  which  the 

Commission  adopted  on  14.3.1994. 

39 

As  regards  persons  professionally  engaged  in  tourism,  mention  should  be  made  of  the 
judgement  of  the  Court  of  Justice  of  22.3.1994  (Case  C-375/92)  -  in  the  sequel  to  the 
decisions  of  26.2.1991  -  concerning  access  to  the  profession  of  tourist  guide  and 
guide-interpreter,  and  engagement  in  these  activities.  Among  the  main  defects  noted  by 
the Court  in this  case  should  be  noted: 

the  fact  of  restricting  access  to  the  profession  of  tourist  guide  and  guide-interpreter 
to persons  with  Spanish  nationality; 

the  fact  of  failing  to  establish  a  procedure  for  examining  qualifications  acquired  by 
a  Community  national  who  holds  a  diploma  as  tourist  guide  or  guide-interpreter 
issued  in another  Member  State  and  comparing  them  with  those  required  by  Spain; 

the  fact  of  requiring  possession  of  a  licence  as evidence  of  having  acquired  training 
confirmed  by  passing  an  examination  as  a  condition  for  working  as  a  tourist  guide 
and  guide-interpreter  travelling  with  groups  of tourists  from  another  Member  State, 
when  that  work  consists  of  accompanying  those  tourists  to  places  other  than 
museums  or  historical  monuments  where  a  guide  with  special  qualifications  is 
required. 

These  decisions  each  constitute  practical  responses  to  particular  problems  regarding 
freedom  of  movement  of tourists  and  persons  professionally  engaged  in  tourism. 

It  should  be  noted  that  tourism  enterprises  wishing  to  practice  transnational  activities, 
whether  on  a  permanent  basis  (under  the  right  of  establishment)  or  only  occasionally 
(under  a  less  onerous  regime  of  freedom  to  supply  services),  must  not  be  subject  to 
excessive  national  requirements  and  formalities.  Moreover,  tourism  enterprises  continue 
to benefit  not only  from  the  increasing  harmonisation  of the Member  States'  legislation  on 
company  law  but  also  from  the  creation  of  appropriate  structures  (EEIGs),  the  aim  of 
which  is to make  it easier  to operate  on  the  European  scale. 

2.1.1.2.  Elimination  of  tax  barriers 

taxation, 

to  direct 

With  regard 
in  connection  with  the  White  Paper  on  Growth, 
Competitiveness  and  Employment,  the  Commission  adopted  a  Communication  on  the 
improvement  of  the  fiscal  environment  of  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises76,  and  a 
Recommendation  concerning  the  taxation  of  SMEs77.  All  these  subjects  are  sensitive  for 
the many  SMEs  engaged  in  tourism. 

With  regard  to  indirect  taxation,  the  main  work  has  been  to  improve  and  ensure  the 
functioning  of  new  common  systems78,  in  particular  through  new  simplifying  measures, 
and  also  to  initiate  work  on  a  definitive  VAT  system.  In  this  connection,  on  24.10.1994 
the  Council  adopted  conclusions  on  the  criteria  which  were  essential  for  establishing  a 
definitive  VAT  system,  viz.: 

reducing 

the  administrative  obligations  on  enterprises  and  authorities  and 

76  COM(94)  206  Final,  25.5.1994. 
77  OJ  L  177,  9.7.1994,  p.  1. 
78  On 

this  point,  see  notably 
for 

reports  on  "The  common  system  of  VAT: 
persons 
arrangements 
(COM(94)  471  final,  3.11.1994)  and  on  "The  functioning  of  the  transitional  VAT  taxation  system  on 
intra-Communiiy  trade"  (COM(94)  515  Final,  23.11.1994). 

the  Commission's 

non-established 

transactions 

taxable 

carried 

taxing 

out 

by 

40 

substantially  simplifying  taxation; 

no reduction  in the tax revenue of the Member States; 

no increase in the risk of tax evasion; 

maintenance of tax neutrality  in terms of competitiveness. 

Concerning  more  precisely  the  question  of  the  approximation  of  VAT  rates,  a 
Commission  report79 examines particular  VAT aspects of significant  interest for the 
tourist and the  industry: 

the role that VAT rate approximation  plays  in the functioning  of a single market  in 
so far as its influence  on the pattern  of cross border purchasing behaviour of private 
individuals in that market  is concerned; 

the scope of the reduced  rate and the coverage of supplies of goods and services laid 
down in Annex H to the sixth  Directive; 

the operation  of  certain  transitional  VAT  rate provisions  which  may  be applied  by 
Member  States  during  the  transitional  period  referred  to  in  Article  28  (1)  of  the 
Directive. 

To  this  must  be  added  the  adoption  of  the  special  VAT  arrangements  applicable  to 
second-hand  goods,  works  of  art,  collectors'  items  and  antiques,  as  specified  in  Council 
Directive  94/5/EC  of  14.2.199480, supplementing  the common  system  of value-added  tax 
and amending Directive 77/388/EEC  (Sixth VAT Directive). 

This  Directive,  since  it  affects 
the  development  of  cultural  tourism,  establishes  a 
particular  VAT  system  which  consists  of  taxing  at the point  of  sale the  profit  margin  of 
taxable  dealers  instead  of  the  total  price  of  the  goods  in  question.  Sales  between 
individuals  are  not  liable  to  VAT  and  can  be  made  throughout  the  Union  without 
formalities. 

In addition, a rate reduced  by at least  5% is applied to imports of works of art, collectors' 
items and antiques from  non-Community  countries by the Member States. 

Up to  30.6.1999  the  United  Kingdom  can  apply  an effective  rate  of  2.5% to  imports  of 
works  of  art,  collectors'  items  and  antiques  which  were  exempt  in  this  country  on  1 
January  1993.  Up  to  30.6.1999  Germany  can  offer  the  choice  between  taxation  on  the 
profit  margin or the application  of the reduced  rate of VAT on deliveries of works of art, 
collectors' items and antiques. 

The Member  States were required  to take the necessary  steps for  the new system  to enter 
into force by  1.1.1995 at the latest. 

With more particular regard to tourism services81, the only change to the system described 
in the  1993 report concerns  the VAT system  applicable to passenger transport, and here -
having  consulted  the  European  Parliament  - the Commission  has  forwarded  an  amended 
proposal  for  a  Council  Directive82.  Although  three  of  the  amendments  proposed  by  the 
Parliament  were  accepted  by  the  Commission,  another  -  under  which  the  principle  of 

79  COM(95)184  final,  13.12.1994. 
80  OJ  L 6 0,  3.3.1994,  p.  16. 
81  Cf.  the  three  tables  in  Annex  4  for  VAT  rates  applicable  to  the  main  tourism  services, 
82  COM(94)  378  Final,  7.9.1994,  OJ  C  266,  23.9.1994,  p.  2. 

41 

taxation  in  the  Member  State  of  departure  would  be extended  to  all  modes  of  transport  as 
from  1.1.1997  -  was  rejected  so  as  not  to  prejudice  the  Commission's  future  options 
regarding  the  taxation  of  passenger  transport  under  a definitive  system. 

Still  on  tax  matters,  in a judgement  of  5.5.1994  (Case  C-38/93) the  Court  had  occasion  to 
rule  that  Article  1  la,  paragraph  1, (a)  of  the  6th  VAT  Directive  should  be  interpreted  as* 
meaning  that  "the  taxable  amount  in  respect  of  gaming  machines  offering  a  chance  of 
winning  (slot  machines)  does  not  include  the  statutorily  prescribed  proportion  of  the  total 
stakes  inserted  which  corresponds  to  the  winnings  paid  out  to the  players." 

2.1.1.3.  Simplifying 

transborder 

payments 

The  Commission  has  continued 
its  policy  of  improving  systems  of  cross-border 
payments.  On  19.10.1994  it  adopted  a  Communication  comprising  a  proposal  for  a 
Directive  on  cross-border  transfers  and  a draft  Communication  on  the  application  of  rules 
of competition  in this  sector83. 

With  more  specific  reference  to  the  proposal  for  a  Directive,  this  would  require  banks  to 
comply  with  contractual  obligations  concerning  transfer  periods,  and  make  it  illegal  to 
double-charge  fees  or  to  require  reimbursement  of  lost  payments,  and  would  increase 
transparency. 

Pending  a single  currency 

The  start  of  the  second  phase  of  Economic  and  Monetary  Union  on  1.1.1994 and  preparations  for  the 
third  phase on  the  basis of studying  the practical  problems  of introducing  the  ECU as a single  currency, 
directly concern  tourism enterprises and citizens travelling for  leisure, professional  or other purposes. 

The advantages to tourism  of changing over to a single currency  include: 

the  abolition  of  transaction  costs  and  exchange  risks,  thus  simplifying  for  enterprises  the 
problems  of  accountancy  and  cash-flow  management,  and  -  for  citizens  -  travel  throughout  the 
Union without  having to change  from  one currency to another in the Union; 

easier  comparisons  of  goods  and  services  available  in  the  various  countries  through  greater 
transparency  of official  prices. 

2.1.2. 

Strengthening  tourist  undertakings  by  means  of enterprise  and  competition 
policies 

Although  competition,  which 
is  indisputably  a  regulating  factor,  produces  broadly 
beneficial  effects  on  the  competitiveness  of  the  tourism  industry,  the  diversity  of 
enterprises  in  this  field,  and  more  particularly  the  high  number  of  SMEs,  justifies  a 
specific  and  tailored  approach,  in particular  from  the point  of view of enterprise  policy. 

2.1.2.1.  Enterprise  policy 

The  new  dimension  of  enterprise  policy  launched  by  the  Integrated  Programme  in  favour 
of  SMEs  and  craft  industries,  adopted  by  the  Commission  in June  199484, enables  tourism 
enterprises,  in  a global  and  cohesive  context,  on  the one  hand  to  benefit  from  measures  to 
improve  the  administrative,  legal  and  tax  environment  of  their  activities,  and,  on  the 
other,  to  make  better  use  of  the  specific  instruments  set  up  for  helping  and  sustaining  the 
development  of  SMEs. 

83  COM(94) 436  Final,  18.11.1994,  OJ  C 360,  17.12.1994,  p.  13. 

42 

In view of the  structural  characteristics  of tourism  enterprises,  which  are often  small  and 
even  family  businesses,  the  Recommendations  that  the  Commission  presented  to  the 
Member  States  on  7.12.1994 on the  transfer  of  SMEs85 and  later on  the payment  periods 
for  commercial  transactions86  should  put  enterprises  engaged  in  tourism  activities  in  a 
better position  to tackle the two major  problems which often  threaten their survival  or the 
expansion of their entrepreneurial  activity. 

In  order  to  gain  a  better  understanding  of  the  problems  of  access  to  finance  and  credit 
facing  SMEs,  to  identify  existing  best  practices  in  the  Member  States  and  to  draw  up 
practical  proposals  for  improving  access,  the  work  of  the  Commission-inspired  Round 
Table  of  leading  representatives  of  the  banking  sector  was  completed  in  1994  with  the 
preparation of a final report with recommendations. The Commission  expressed  its views 
on this report in a communication adopted 28.10.199487. 

The  work  of  the  information  network  for  enterprises  (Euro-Info  Centres)  and  the 
transnational  cooperation  networks ("BRE"  and  "BC NET") is a factor  in the continuation 
and  improvement  of  the  work  of  the  correspondents  in  all  the  regions  of  the  Union  in 
assisting  those  tourism  enterprises  which  are  interested 
in  knowing  more  about 
Community  programmes and  actions of  interest  to them, or in looking  for a transnational 
partner. 

Through the BRE,  116 partner-searches were carried out in the field of hotels, restaurants, 
travel agencies and tourism in general. 

Most  requests  concerned  the  search  for  a  partner  to  start  cooperation  of  a  commercial 
nature, while interest in financial or technical cooperation was much more limited. 

The  Business  Cooperation  Network  (BC NET),  the  network  for  confidential  partner-
searches, handled  some 20 applications  for  cooperation  in  1994, half of which  concerned 
hotel enterprises and holiday centres. 

The  adoption  and  implementation  of  the  multi-annual  programme  of  work  for  co 
operatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations  in the Community88 enabled the 
social economy enterprises engaged  in tourism activities to maintain their special areas of 
interest  and  to  develop  specific  evaluation  and  production  techniques  particularly 
appropriate to the various segments of the tourism market. 

2.1.2.2.  Competition policy 

In implementing  competition  policy  the Commission  took  into consideration,  on the one 
hand the effects  of the economic  slowdown  in  1993 - which  have also  been  felt  this year 
in  spite  of  indications  of  an  economic  upturn  -  and,  on  the  other,  the  process  of 
restructuring  initiated  in response  to this  situation  in  1993 and carried  over  into  1994, as 
well as the actions of Member States to assist enterprises in economic  difficulty. 

84  COM(94)  207,  3.6.1994. 
85  COM  (94)  3312  of  7.12.1994  OJ  L  385,  31.12.1994,  p.  14  and  Explanatory  memorandum,  OJ  C 

400,  31.12.1994,  p.  1. 

86  COM(94)3283,  30.11.94,  OJ  127,  10.6.1995  and  Explanatory  Memorandum,  OJ  C  144. 

10.6.1995,  p.  3. 

87  COM(94)  435  Final,  28.10.1994. 
88  COM(93)650,  16.2.1994. 

43 

Against  this  background,  the  Commission  continues  to  ensure  that  sanctions  are  applied 
against  some  enterprises'  or  Member  States'  practices  which  militate  against  competition 
and  tend  to distort  the  functioning  of  the  tourism  market. 

As  regards  the  latter,  competition  policy  thus  contributes  to  the  completion  of  a  true 
Single  Market,  and  encourages  the  opening  up  of  markets  which  are  protected  by 
agreements,  abuse  of dominant  position  or  state  aids. 

• 

Application  of  competition  rules  to  enterprises 

On  21.12.1994,  the  Commission  adopted  a  notice  concerning  the  agreements  of  minor 
importance  which  do  not  fall  under  by  Article  85  (1)  of  the  EC  Treaty89.  The  purpose  of 
this,  which  amends  the  1986  communication,  is  to  raise  from  ECU  200 million  to 
ECU  300  million  the  turnover  threshold  below  which  undertakings  may  benefit  from  the 
advantages  of the application  of that  notice. 

On  the  same  date  the  Commission  adopted  a  new  Regulation  concerning  the  form, 
content  and  other  details 
in 
implementation  of  Council  Regulation  n°  17,  with  a  new  form,  with  a  view  to  speeding 
up considerably  its procedures  on  agreements90. 

regarding  applications  and  notifications 

submitted 

Two  decisions  in  the  transport  field  are  of  indirect  interest  to tourism.  That  of  23.9.1994, 
in  which  the  Commission  authorised  an  agreement  concluded  between  British  Rail, 
Deutsche  Bahn,  Nederlandse  Spoorwegen,  La  Société  Nationale  des  Chemins  de  Fer 
Français  and  the  Société  Nationale  des  Chemins  de  Fer  Belges  -  for  rail  transport  of 
passengers  by  night  trains  (operated  by  "European  Night  Services  Limited",  a  joint 
subsidiary  of  the  rail  enterprises)  between  the  United  Kingdom  and  the  Continent91,  and 
that  of  13.12.1994, 
the  agreement  between 
Eurotunnel,  the  Channel  Tunnel  concessionaire,  and  BR/SNCF, two of the rail  enterprises 
in a position  to use  international  trains92. 

the  Commission  approved 

in  which 

With  more  specific  reference  to  the  organisation  of  travel  and  stays,  it  should  be  noted 
that  the  Bundeskartellamt  forced  TUI  and  NUR  to  end  the  agreements  restricting 
competition  which  the  two  enterprises  had  concluded  with  Spanish  hoteliers  for  reserving 
beds  during  the  1994-95  winter  season  and  all  the  following  seasons.  Under  the  terms  of 
these  contracts,  the  hoteliers  had  undertaken  either  to  refuse  to  certain  other  German 
tourism  enterprises  the  reservation  of  beds  in  the  same  hotels  or  to  restrict  or  not  to 
expand  the  number  of other  German  organisers  of travel  which  were admitted  up till  then, 
without  the  consent  of  their  partner.  The  exclusivity  clause  described  above  had  the 
purpose  and  effect  of  separating  the  establishments  where  TUI  and  NUR  had  reserved 
their  customers  more 
beds,  in  particular 
advantageous  prices.  The  Bundeskartellamt  considered  that  such  agreements  led  to  a 
restriction  of  competition  within  the  Common  Market  and  were  liable  to  affect  trade 
between  Member  States.  In  this  matter  the  parties  concerned  have  appealed  to  the  Berlin 
Kammergericht. 

those  of  their  competitors  who  offered 

89  OJ  C  368,  23.12.1994,  p.  20. 
90  OJ  L  377,  31.12.1994,  p.  28. 
91  Decision  94/633/EEC,  OJ  L  259,  7.10.1994,  p.  20. 
92  Decision  94/894/EEC,  OJ  L  354,  31.12.1994,  p.  66. 

44 

The  Court  of  Justice  had  occasion  to  specify  in  more  detail  the  concept  of  an  enterprise. 
In  its judgement  of  19.1.1994  (Case  C-364/92)  it  ruled  that  Eurocontrol,  the  European 
organisation  for  the  safety  of  aerial  navigation,  did  not  constitute  an  enterprise  within  the 
meaning  of  Articles  86  and  90  of  the  EC  Treaty.  The  Court  considered  that,  taken  as  a 
whole,  Eurocontrol's  activities  were  connected  with  the  exercise  of  powers  relating  to  the 
control  and  supervision  of  air  space  which  were  typically  those  of  a  public  authority. 
They  were  therefore  not  of  an  economic  nature  justifying  the  application  of  the  Treaty's 
rules  of  competition.  It  is  worth  noting  that  the  case  behind  this  ruling  -  Eurocontrol  vs. 
SAT,  the  airline  company  governed  by  German  law  -  concerned  the  recovery  of  route 
charges  payable  by  SAT  to  Eurocontrol. 

Concerning  checks  on  mergers, 
increase 
transparency  and  accelerate  procedures  in  order  to  make  them  more  efficient  and  not  to 
constitute  a  brake  on  enterprises  adjusting  to  their  economic  environment.  During  this 
year  it also  adopted  several  texts  of a general  nature on  mergers. 

the  Commission  has  made  efforts 

to 

Still  on  this  subject,  two judgements  by  the  Court  of  First  Instance  should  be  noted.  That 
of 24.3.1994  (Case  T-3/93),  in  which  the  Community  Judge  rejected  a  first  appeal  by  Air 
France  against  the  Commission,  which  was  accused  of not  having  intervened  in the  resale 
of  Dan  Air  by  British  Airway,  and  that  of  19.5.1994  (Case  T-2/93),  concerning  the 
acquisition  by  British  Airways  of  49.9%  of  the  capital  of  TAT,  which  ended  in  the 
rejection  of a second  appeal  by  Air  France. 

• 

Application  of  rules  of  competition 

to state  aid 

In  the  context  of  implementing  the  competition  policy  on  state  aid,  of  the  440  schemes 
examined  and  to  which  the  Commission  decided  not  to  raise  objections,  18  specifically 
concerned  tourism. 

The  favourable  attitude  adopted  in  general  towards  this  aid  was  thus  confirmed  in  1994 
by  the  fact  that  most  of  these  cases  of  aid  concerned  small-scale  tourism  projects  which 
were  not  liable  to  affect  tourism  activities  in  the  Community  to  an  extent  which  was 
contrary  to the  general  interest. 

In many  cases  these  aid  schemes  contributed  to developing  less-favoured  regions. 

45 

STATE  AID  SCHEMES,  BY  COUNTRY,  TO  WHICH  THE  COMMISSION 
DID  NOT  RAISE  ANY  OBJECTIONS 

27.7.94  Grant  for  farm  holidays (Thiiiïngen) 
21.12.94 
22.12.94  Grants in the tourist  industry (Lower  Saxony) 

Regional programmes  in the tourism  sector (Bavaria) 

8.3.95 

Land of Hesse programmes  to assist  public tourism  infrastructures 

0.1 C 267, 24.9.94 

17.2.94  Measures to support  tourism  activities 
3.2.95  Measures to support  tourism 

0.1  C  111, 21.1.94 

30.3.94  Grants for tourism  (Andalusia) 
30.3.94  Grants for  SMEs  in the tourist  industry  (Madrid) 
11.4.94  Grants for tourism  (Basque  Country) 
11.4.94  Measures to support  tourism  countries (Basque Country) 
20.5.94  Grants in the tourist  industry  for converting tourist  accommodation 
20.5.94  Grants in the tourist  industry  for setting up new hotel chains 
27.7.94  Aid to improve tourist  facilities  in Navarre 
24.8.94  Grants for  SMEs  in the tourist  industry  (La  Rioja) 
9.11.94  Aid to improve rural  tourism  structures (Castile-la-Mancha) 

OJC  307,  1.11.94 
OJC  389, 31.12.94 
OJC  389, 31.12.94 

Germany 

N/0242///94 
N/0659//94 
N/073 5//94 
N/0745/E/94 

Denmark 

N/0012//94 
N/0714//94 

Spain 

N/0135//94 
N/0137//94 
N/0102//94 
N/0103//94 
N/0256//94 
N/0257//94 
N/03N//94 
N/0431//94 
N/0439//94 

France 

N/0499//94 

7.10.94 

IOP, Objective  1- Support  for  tourist  facilities 

OJC  390, 31.12.94 

Italy 

N/0203//94 

22.6.94  Measures to assist tourism  (Ombrie) 

OJC 259,  16.9.94 

Portugal 

N/0005/94 

4.3.94  Measures to promote  investment  in tourism 

OJC  153,4.6.94 

2.1.3. 

Improving  tourist  production  and  distribution  processes  through  social, 
education and research  policies 

Since tourism  is a service activity,  it is essential  that enterprises' human resources  should 
be  able  to  be  mobilised  around  the  objective  of  competitiveness,  and  this  has  already 
prompted  several  measures  for  improving  both  working  conditions  and  training.  At  the 
same time, the rapid  changes  in techniques  allows  - and  even  imposes, in certain  cases -
changes to production and distribution  systems. 

2.1.3.1.  Employ men t and social  policy 

Creation of Employment 

• 
"Employment in Europe"9" which covers current and future  employment  trends  in Europe 
shows  improved  future  prospects  for  employment.  In  Essen,  in  December  1994,  the 
Commission  presented  an action  plan  for  employment  based on the 7 points identified  at 
the  Brussels  Council,  of  10/11.12.1993,  and  intended  to  follow-up  the  conclusions 
reached  in  the  White  Paper  on  Growth  Competitiveness  and  Employment.  In  order  to 
achieve  a  new  model  of  sustainable  development,  a  proactive  job  Cieation  and 
employment  policy was recognised  as an essential priority. 

The  European  Council  in  Essen  was  also  presented  with  a  working  document  which 
provided areas with a potential  for job creation and local development94. Tourism  was one 

93 

94 

COM(94)381. 
SEC(94)  2199,  19.12.1994. 

46 

of  17  fields  identified  in  which  there  is  scope  for  rapid  employment  creation  based  on 
initiatives  taken  at  the  local  level  which  respond  to  new  types  of  service  needs  that  are 
currently  in demand. 

As a service  sector,  tourism  can  be  included  with  those  services  which  are  meeting  new 
needs  and  have  been  recognised  as  having  the  potential  to  create  5 times  as  many  new 
jobs  as  the  public  administration  sector  and  10  times  as  many  new jobs  as  would  be 
created with a regeneration of the heavy  industry  sector. 

Evolution of the Labour Market 

Following the  Green  and  White  Papers  on  Social  policy, at the Social  affairs  Council  on 
6.12.1994, the Commission  agreed to propose a new work programme  in the social  field, 
intended to identify  some  75 specific  actions to be taken  in the medium-term  on a rolling 
basis  in  the  field  of  employment,  consolidation  and  development  of  legislation,  equal 
opportunities  and  the  creation  of  a  society  for  all.  Within  this  framework  a  number  of 
measures will have an impact on tourism. 

In addition,  there  are  a  range  of  EU  employment  programmes  that  have  been  created  to 
develop  innovative  ways  of  dealing  with  unemployment  and  job  creation.  Tourism  is 
already being used as a means to achieve these goals or has the potential to do so. 

LEDA 

Within  the  framework  of  the  Local  Employment  Development  Action  (LEDA),  42  mini-networks 
including a network  on rural tourism  development,  have been created  in areas of high unemployment in 
order to develop  local employment and economic development  strategies. 

EURES 

The  database  "EURES"95  -  European  Employment  Services  -  aims  to  facilitate  employment  mobility 
within  the  European  Economic  Area,  taking  advantage  of  the  benefits  already  gained  from  the 
completion  of the  Internal  Market  and  the continuing  process of  integration.  Increased  information  has 
given  employers  and  employees  increased  access  to  offering  or  taking  up  job  opportunities  in  the 
European  labour market.  Data  is collected  on employment  opportunities taken  from  public  employment 
service  computer  systems  and  centralised  in  the  EURES  database  according  to  various  sectors  and 
criteria.  Tourism 
is  included.  Another  database,  "General  Information"  also  exists  to  provide 
information  on  living and  working conditions.  By facilitating  transnational  recruitment  and  experience, 
EURES can  serve  to  reduce  existing  structural  labour  market  barriers.  Persons  seeking  employment  in 
various aspects of the tourist sector have already  found  employment  using this tool 

ERGO-  Phase II (1993-1996) 

This  programme  with  an  annual  budget  of  1  MECU  takes  a  three-pronged  approach  to  combating 
long-term  unemployment:  research  and  evaluation  of  projects  in  order  to  develop  best  practice; 
establishment  of  a  permanent  "partnership  pool"  permitting  constant  dialogue  between  key  actors  and 
the distribution  of information  to policy makers; and support  for  pilot actions aimed at developing  good 
practices  for  reinserting  long-term  unemployed  persons  back  into  the  world  of  work.  Increasingly, 
cultural  activities and  tourism  are  being  recognised  for  their job  creation  potential  which  is in  line with 
this programme's aims which  consider  not only  the aspect  of job creation  but also the quality  of the job 
and 
for  nature 
"uides/conservationists  in combination  with  re-establishment  of local nature zones. 

supported  by  ERGO  provides 

the  work.  One  of 

the  projects 

training 

95  Council  Regulation  EEC  N°  2434/92  OJ  L 245/1  of  26.8.1992. 

47 

• 

Women  in  Employment 

44%  of  women  aged  between  25  and  49  are  in  active  employment  in  the  Community. 
Within  the  tourist  sector,  together  with  young  persons  they  account  for  between  45  and 
65%  of the  workforce. 

Of  the  16  million  small  and  medium  sized  enterprises  that  exist  in  the  European  Union, 
some  20-30%  are  managed  by  women.  Moreover,  25-30%  of  all  new  enterprises  are 
created  by  women.  These  enterprises  are  mainly  in the service  sectors  for  various  reasons, 
including  the  lower  start  up  costs.  It  should  be  noted  that  enterprises  being  created  by 
young  women  are  giving  rise  to  the  development  of  new  types  of  services  in  the  fields  of 
culture,  leisure  and  tourism  which  contribute  to  the  creation  of  new  employment. 
However  problems  exist  for  women  in  gaining  access  to  the  assistance  needed  to  start  up 
enterprises. 

The  Social  Affairs  Council  of  6.12.1994  adopted  a  Resolution  on  Women  and 
Employment,  whereby  the  Member  States  agreed  to  develop  policies  which  incorporate 
equal  opportunities  in  the  fields  of  organisation  of  working  time,  the  promotion  of 
women's 
technologies,  keeping  women  employed  and 
facilitating  women  returning  to the  workforce. 

training  especially 

in  new 

LEI 

Local  Employment  Initiatives  for  Women  is  a  programme  with  a  1.5  MECU  budget  annually  which 
supports  the  creation  of  innovative  companies,  co-operatives  and  job  creation  initiatives  by  women 
concerning  women  and  for  women  across  the  Member  States.  The  priority  of  this  programme  is 
employment  for  women  especially  in  the  peripheral  regions  of  the  Community.  Among  the  actions 
eligible  for support  in the context  of job  creation  are activities  in the  fields  of culture, leisure actions in 
rural  areas  particularly  those  that  are  a  part  of  a  local  development  plan  and  the  development  of 
transnational  actions. 

IRIS II ( 1994-1998) 

With  a  budget  of  1 MECU  in  1994, this  programme  is a network  bringing  together  a  large number  of 
women's training  programmes  from  all  over  the Community.  It links these programmes  at national  and 
European  level  by  means  of  exchange  visits,  partnerships  seminars  and  network  publications.  It  also 
operates  a  database  and  electronic  mail.  A  significant  number  of  training  programmes  in  the  IRIS 
network  carry  out  training  activities  for  women  in  the  tourism  sector.  A database  of  IRIS  members  is 
available on diskette. 

• 

Employment  and  Improved  Living  and  Working  Conditions 

Posting  of  Workers  Abroad*6 

The  nature  of  the  tourist  industry  means  that  employees  in  various  activities  will  need  to 
their  normal  country  of  residence,  e.g.  holiday  tour 
be  posted  abroad,  away  from 
representatives,  tour  guides  and  managers  etc.  To  ensure  that  such  workers  are  provided 
with  sufficient  social  security  under  such  conditions  by  their  employers  the  Commission 
proposed  a Directive  to address  this  issue. 

This  proposal  for  a  Directive  concerns  the  social  regime  to  be  applied  to  posted  workers 
within  the  framework  of  providing  services.  The  main  aim  is to  ensure  the  legal  security 
of  workers  posted  wherever  in  the  European  Union.  It  seeks  to  facilitate  the  provision  ôf 

96  COM(93) 225 OJ  C  187/93. 

48 

services  in  the  EU  and  prevent  the  creation  of  a exploitative  labour  market  while  at  the 
same  time  not  preventing  secondments  nor  introducing  measures  that  run  counter  to  the 
principle of the free  movement  of workers. 

The  proposal  is still  under consideration  by the  Council,  however  a number  of  problems 
remain to be resolved  concerning  the definition  of the threshold  period  for the application 
of  local  conditions  in  particular,  with  respect  to  minimum  rates  of  pay,  and  annual  paid 
leave (that is the moment  when a worker  from  a Member State, posted  by his employer to 
another  Member  State  to work,  is subject  to the social  regime  of the country  in which  he 
is posted). The  scope  of  the  directive  is also an  issue of discussion.  Article  3 contains  a 
list  of  provisions  concerning  various  matters  such  as  working  time,  health  and  safety, 
equality  between  men  and  women  etc.  to  which  the  host  country  regime  must  apply. 
Concern  within  the  tourist  industry  has  been  expressed  in  particular  about  the  possible 
application of the Directive to conditions of work not mentioned on the list. 

A-Typical Work 

The  Commission  made  three  proposals  for  Council  Directives  concerning  a-typical 
employment relationships with a view to realising several  objectives: 

removing  elements  of  competitive  distortion  sometimes  created  by  part  time  or 
time 
temporary  employment  relationships  as  compared 
employment relationships97; 

to  open-ended  full 

the introduction of rules to improve working conditions for part-time and temporary 
workers  with  regard  to  vocational  training,  information  and  social  security 
benefits98 and; 

the  treatment  of  temporary  workers,  in  terms  of  health  and  safety  at  the  work 
place99. 

Much of the employment  in the tourist  industry  is categorised  as being a-typical  and thus 
the  industry  has  continued  to  monitor  closely  the  progress  of  the  proposals  still  under 
consideration. 

It  is  intended  that  these  proposals  will  be  revised.  The  Commission,  with  the  Social 
Partners  within  the  framework  of  the  Social  Protocol,  will  make  fresh  proposals  for 
Community  Instruments  which  will  achieve  similar  objectives  and  apply  to all  Member 
States with the exception of the United  Kingdom  who will be entitled to opt out. 

• 

Improvement of Social Dialogue 

Employment  in  the  HORECA  sector  (i.e.  accommodation  and  catering)  accounts  for 
almost half of all the jobs  in the tourist  sector (approximately  4 million jobs). Among the 
1.2  million enterprises  operating  in this  sector, 95% are micro-enterprises  (with  less than 
9 employees) which employ  60% of the work  force. Another notable characteristic  across 
the industry  is the willingness  to  form  groupings  and associations on a voluntary  basis in 
order  to  exploit  strategies  involving  diversification  of  the  supply  through  segmentation 
and the creation of niches which are often  complementary. Thus although very large firms 
have evolved  to take advantage  of the economies  of scale; small  (often  local) firms have 

97  COM(90)  533/1  final,  OJ  C  305/12,  5.12.1990. 
98  COM(90)  228/1  final,  OJ  C  224/4,  8.9.1990. 
99  Council  Directive  91/383/EEC,  OJ  L  206/19,  29.7.1991 

49 

until  now held their own as a group and  continue  to play an equal  role in conditioning  the 
future  of the  industry. 

European  Works Councils 

The  Directive  on  the  establishment  of  a  European  Works  Council  or  a  procedure  in 
Community  scale  undertakings  and  Community-scale  groups  of  undertakings  for  the 
purposes  of  informing  and  consulting  employees  was  adopted  on  22.9.1994100  for 
transposition  by  the  Member  states  at  the  latest  by  22.9.1996.  With  the  presence  of 
transnational  under-takings  and  groupings  in both  the HORECA  and  transport  sectors  of 
the  tourist  industry,  this  measure  should  offer, a  means  for  creating  a  balanced  two-way 
structure for consultation on developments such as mergers and take-overs. 

Social Dialogue 

The  Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  Council  and  the  European  Parliament 
concerning  the  implementation  of  the  Social  Protocol101  set  out  the  new  consultation 
procedures  between  the  social  partners  and  the  types  of collective  agreements that  could 
be concluded  between  them. With  the support  of the  Commission,  in the HORECA  sector 
(i.e.  accommodation,  catering  and  restauration),  HOTREC  on  behalf  of  the  employers 
(independently  from  UNICE)  and  ECF-IUF  (who  belong  to  the  European  Trade  Unions 
Confederation)  on behalf of the employees are the sectorial representatives. 

During  1994,  the  working  group  concerned  with  the  mobility  of  workers  conceived  and 
implemented  an ambitious project  analysing the future  development  of professionals  in the 
sector  and  qualifications  in the  sector.  Other  issues  under  consideration  include  flexibility 
at work and the development  of rural  tourism. 

2.1.3.2.  Education and vocational training 

Measures  implemented  within  the  framework  of  education,  vocational  training  and 
assistance for young people have had a significantly  helped to upgrade and maintain  higher 
levels  of  quality  in  the  provision  of  tourism  services.  Community  measures  in  this field 
produced  concrete  results during  1994.  1994 also  saw the completion  of most  of the  "old 
generation"102  programmes  and 
the  new  global 
programmes for this sector. 

implementation  of  proposals  for 

Higher Education 

* 
Under  the  COMETT  (1986-94)  programme103  funding  allocated  to  tourism  projects  has 
amounted  to  ECU  590,500  (1% of  the  overall  COMETT  budget).  In  total,  COMETT  II 
gave rise to 7,700 work  placement  measures  for  students, 228 staff exchange schemes and 
500 joint  training courses corresponding  to 700 training sessions104. 

ERASMUS  (1987-94)105  provided,  in  total,  mobility  to  67,531  students  and  8,060 
teachers106  in  the  academic  year  1994/95.  Since  1987  ERASMUS  has  provided  mobility 

100  Council  Directive  94/45/EC,  OJ  L  254/64  of  30.9.1994. 
101  COM(93)  600  final  of  14.12.1993. 
102  C O M E T T,  E R A S M U S,  P E T R A,  E U R O T E C N E T,  F O R C E,  L I N G U A,  T E M P US  and  Youth  for 

E u r o pe  II. 

103  COMETT  (1986-89):  OJ  L 222,  8.8.1986. 

COMETT  II  (1990-94):  OJ  L  13,  17.1.1989. 

104  C O M ( 9 4)  3 6 8, Report  of  the C o m m i s s i on  on  C O M E TT  II. 
105  OJ  L  166,  2 5 . 6 . 1 9 8 7;  OJ  L  3 9 5,  3 0 . 1 2 . 1 9 8 9. 
106  C O M ( 9 4)  2 8 1,  Report  of  the C o m m i s s i on  on  E R A S M U S. 

50 

for 400,000  students and 50,000  teachers, and involved the participation  of  1,700  higher 
education establishments and 20,000 departments. 

The tourism/leisure sector has integrated successfully into the ERASMUS Programme. In 
the current  1994/95  period,  approximately  2 350  students are making  a recognised  study 
visit  in  one  or  other  Member  State  and  280  higher  education  establishments  will  be 
involved,  at  a  budgetary  cost  of  ECU 390 000  or,  in  other  terms,  36  inter-university 
cooperation programmes have been approved in this discipline by the Commission. 

The  coordinators  of  these  programmes  have  initiated  some  remarkable  schemes  for 
creating the European dimension by establishing European diplomas in tourism. 

ERASMUS  has  contributed  to  the  creation  and  development  of  ATLAS,  a  network  of 
European universities  and similar schools  in the field of tourism and leisure  studies, with 
70 members from 13 European countries, co-ordinated by the University of Tilburg in the 
Netherlands.  On  12  and  13.12.1994,  the  ATLAS  network,  organised  jointly  with  the 
Commission  a  conference  in  Tilburg  (Netherlands)  to  evaluate  the  inter-university 
cooperation  established  in  the  fields  of  tourism  and  leisure.  Recommendations  were 
produced  affecting  the  discipline  as  a  whole  and  which  could  be  implemented  notably 
within the thematic networks envisaged in the SOCRATES Decision. 

ERASMUS:  STUDENT EXCHANGES m  TOURISM AND LEISURE  1994 

Host 

B 

D 

DK 

£ 

F 

GR 

I 

IRL 

LUX 

NL 

P 

UK 

A 

CH 

N 

s 

SF 

Total 

Home 

B 
D 
DK 
E 
F 
GR 
I 
IRL 
NL 
P 
UK 
A 
CH 
FL 
IS 
N 
s 
SF 

3 

20 
57 
12 
5 
29 
15 
5 
76 
9 
2 

4 
13 
6 

25 
8 
15 
14 
9 
1 

21 
10 
16 
2 
8 

8 

8 

20 
29 

60 
7 
6 
5 
27 
4 
80 
3 

2 
79 
2 
61 

24 
17 
20 
21 
16 
211 
2 
2 

9 

6 
21 

3 
4 
6 
1 
22 

16 

10 
9 
2 

4 

5 
5 
2 

1 
1 

2 
1 

2 

1 

4 
2 

14 
4 

2 

28 
2 
3 
27 
8 
2 

3 
1 
15 
4 

1 

17 
22 

23 
19 
7 
2 
6 

2 
95 

2 
2 
1 
2 
2 

2 
5 

1 

3 

2 
6 

2 
7 
3 

1 
2 

16 
92 
2 
78 
151 
30 
11 
23 
92 
28 

27 

12 

2 
2 

2 

4 

3 

3 
6 

4 
6 

10 

4 
14 

19 
2 
14 

4 

23 

14 
1 

4 
14 
17 

1 

21 
6 

69 
331 
15 
229 
391 
102 
54 
90 
215 
69 
601 
39 
16 

16 
67 
46 

Total 

145 

256 

8 

247 

475 

74 

53 

94 

220 

51 

573 

23 

9 

13 

63 

46 

2350 

Source: Erasmus Bureau 

Vocational Training 

• 
The  PETRA  programme107 (1988-94)  has  been  particularly  effective  in  tackling  the 
problems associated with the lack of suitable applicants for tourism-related jobs.  Trainee 
exchange  schemes  in tourism  and leisure  enterprises  have been  supported  under various 
PETRA  projects.  Some  of  them  have  been  co-ordinated  by  established  pan-European 
associations  such as HOTREC (on behalf of the hotels)  and ECTAA (on behalf of travel 
agents). 

107  OJL346,  10.12.1987,  OJL  214,  2.8.1991. 

51 

• 

Continuing Training 

Under EUROTECNET™ (1990-94), three tourism projects are included in the network of 
innovative demonstration projects which permit the study of the impact of technological 
changes on employment, working procedures and qualifications. These projects are now 
acquiring a transnational dimension as part of the reinforcement of the programme under 
the Community's EUROFORM initiative. 

Following calls for proposals issued  in  1991  and  1992109,  30  different  projects relating to 
tourism activity were selected under FORCE (1991-1994) at a cost of 1,554,400 ECU. On 
the basis of the results of 33 FORCE and EUROTECNET projects in the field of tourism, 
a  survey  report  called  Continuing vocational  training in  tourism enterprises  is  being 
produced  by a group  of Member  States  experts  and  supported  and  co-ordinated  by the 
Commission.  Recommendations  for  future  actions  have  been  proposed  in  a  six-point 
action plan and a report costing ECU 300,000 is being produced. Moreover,  through the 
FORCE  programme  and  in  co-operation  with  CEDEFOP,  a  series  of  twelve  national 
reports examining the Food and Beverages  sector (which is very closely connected to the 
tourism industry), has been published in English. 

• 

New Programmes 1995-1999 

A  new  generation  of  programmes  have  been  prepared  during  1994  to  replace  existing 
Community programmes in the fields of education, training and youth. 

LEONARDO DA  VINClm,  with a budget of 620 million ECU will run for five years in the 
field of vocational  training  replacing  PETRA,  FORCE,  EUROTECNET,  COMETT and 
part  of LINGUA.  LEONARDO  will  be  implemented  through  transnational  projects  and 
programmes of placement and exchange schemes. The programme is expected to offer the 
opportunity to  tourism enterprises to  develop  programmes of vocational  training for the 
human resources working in all the sectors of the tourism industry. 

SOCRATES111, is the first Community programme to apply to the whole field of education, 
incorporating  once  again  and  developing  notably  ERASMUS  and  LINGUA,  but  also 
adding totally new Community actions (particularly for schools and for open and distance 
learning).  More  than half of  its  agreed  budget  of ECU  850  million  targets  co-operation 
between  higher  education  establishments.  The  part Erasmus (concerning  university  and 
higher education  establishments)  is  addressed  to  11,000,000  students,  18,000  educators 
and  5,000  higher  education  institutions.  The  part  Comenius  (concerning  schools)  is 
intended  to  assist  500  partnership  actions  involving  2,000  schools  and  800  actions 
involving teacher exchanges. 

YOUTH FOR EUROPE lllm,  with  a  budget  of  126  MECU,  replaces  the  programme 
Youth  for  Europe  II,  part  of  PETRA  (related  to  the  topic:  "youth")  and  the  "youth 
activities" previously developed within TEMPUS. Among others, the programme includes 
measures  concerning  under-privileged  young  people,  youth  exchange  schemes,  trainee 
schemes  on  a voluntary  basis,  youth  initiatives  of  local,  regional,  national  or European 
character,  co-operation with third countries and between state-run and non-governmental 
structures  responsible  for youth  affairs  in the Member  States.  It  is  estimated  that  about 

108  O JL  393,  30.12.1989. 
109  O JC  111 of  26.4.1991,  C  1 of  4.1.1992  and  C  92  of  2.4.1993. 
110  Council Decision 94/819/CE of 6.12.1994,  OJ L 340 of 29.12.1994. 
ill  Common Council  position  N°  29/94,  of  16.6.1994,  OJ C 244,  31.8.1994. 
112  Common position. 

52 

trainee  schemes  on  a  voluntary  basis,  youth  initiatives  of  local,  regional,  national  or 
European  character,  co-operation  with 
third  countries  and  between  state-run  and 
non-governmental  structures  responsible  for  youth  affairs  in  the  Member  States.  It  is 
estimated  that  about  70,000  young  people  will  benefit  from  Youth  for  Europe  III. 

2.1.3.3.  Research,  information  & communications 

technologies 

• 

Research  &  Technological  Development 

research  & 

is  conducted  under 

technological  development 

All  Community 
the 
Framework  Programmes.  1994  marked  the  completion  of  the  Third  Research  and 
(R  &  TD)  Framework  Programme  (1990-1994/113).  The 
Technological  Development 
new  Fourth  Research  &  Technological  Development  Framework 
Programme 
(1994-98)"4,  with  its  twenty  specific  programmes,  provides  the  possibility  for  further 
support  to  actions  and  projects  in  various  fields  of  R&TD.  It  has  a  total  budget  is  ECU 
12.3  billion  which  is  expected  to  increase  in  order  to  maintain  the  overall  level  of  EU 
research  following  the accession  of the  three  new  Member  States"3. 

Within  this  framework  there  are  a  range  of  various  research  programmes  which  contain 
elements  that  have  implications  (direct  or  indirect)  for  the  improvement  of  tourism,  e.g. 
"Environment  and  Climate",  "Industrial  and  Materials  Technologies",  "Transport", 
testing" 
"Training  and  mobility  of 
"Agriculture  and  Fisheries",  "Non-nuclear  Energy"  "Target  socio-economic  research" 
"International  cooperation"  "International  Cooperation".  Actions  developed  under  COST 
(in  particular,  the  transport  elements,  see  point  2.2.2.3)  should  also  be  considered  within 
this  context.  The  particular  input  of  the  specific  programmes  relating  to  communication 
technologies  and  telematics  applications  is  dealt  with  in  the  section  below  under 
"Information  and  communication  technologies". 

researchers",  Standards,  measurements  and 

Environment  and  Climate 

Tourism  frequently  exerts  stresses  on  cities  and  areas  of  environmental  fragility  such  as 
coastal  zones,  alpine  and  other  upland  regions.  Many  of  the  Community  programmes  are 
based  on  scientific  research  in  order  to  propose  solutions  in  this  field.  The  Environment 
and  Climate  programme  has  five  priority  objectives  aiming  at  the  protection  or  the 
restoration  of the  environment  from  which  tourism  could  benefit.  The  link  with  tourism  is 
even  more  evident  in  the  case  of  R  &  TD  activities  aimed  at  the  protection  and  the 
rehabilitation  of  European  cultural  heritage  (see  Annex  11),  which  are  developed  within 
this  programme. 

Transport 

A  number  of  research  activities  relevant  to  tourism  have  been  developed  within  the 
in  relation  to  means  of 
specific  programme  Industrial  and  Materials  Technology 
transport.  Here  tourism  could  indirectly  benefit  from  results  of  R &  TD  activities  through 
the  development  of  safer,  cleaner,  cheaper,  more  comfortable  and  more  rapid  transport 
modes.  The  specific  programme  on  Transport 
is  developing  actions  which  have  the 
potential  to  indirectly  influence  tourism. 

The  specific  research  and  technological  development  programme  that  includes  the  field  of 

113  Council  Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC, OJ  L 117, 8.5.1990. 
l u  European  Parliament  & Council  Decision  of  26.4.1994,  OJ  L  126, of  18.5.1994. 
115  Austria,  Sweden and  Finland. 

53 

transport  (1994-1998)  has  been  allocated  a budget  of 240  MECU. 

The  programme  covers  seven  sectors:  Strategic  Research;  Rail  transport;  Integrated 
transport  chains;  Air  transport;  Urban  transport;  Water  transport  and  Road  transport.  The 
Programme  is aiming  to: 

develop  an  efficient,  safe  and  more  environmentally  friendly  transport  system  for 
both  passengers  and  goods; 

improve 
networks; 

the 

inter-connection  and 

inter-operability  of 

the  various 

transport 

increase  the  efficiency  of  each  transport  mode  taken  individually  and  improve  the 
integration  between  these  modes; 

promote  the  conception  and  management  of  infrastructure  with  a  view  to  reducing 
the  damage  caused  to  the  environment  and  improving  the  relationship  between 
quality  and  price; 

to  obtain  for  the  industry,  operators,  transport  users  and  the  public  authorities 
adequate  means  of  making  decisions  based  on  a  better  knowledge  and  a  greater 
understanding  of  mobility,  traffic  flows,  how  they  interact  and  how  they  are 
interdependent  on  each  other. 

Although  the  effect  of  the  research  programme  on  tourism  may  not  be  directly 
quantifiable,  the  research  conducted  will  have  and  important  impact  on  the  improvement 
of  the  transport  systems  which  represent  an  essential  element  for  the  tourist  industry.  In 
the modal  sectors  for  example,  research  is examining  issues  linked  to  the  aspect  of  speed, 
safety,  accessibility  and  the  relationship  between  price and  quality  of transport  in order  to 
better respond  to users'  needs. 

Human  Capital  and  Mobility  Programme  and  Training  and  Mobility  of  Researchers 
Programme 

the  specific  programme  "Human  Capital  and 
In  the  3rd  Framework  programme, 
Mobility"  (1992-1994), with  a budget  of  556  MECU,  was aimed  to  boost  the quantity  and 
the  quality  of  researchers  in  the  EU  enabling  them  to  improve  their  training  through 
research  by  increasing  their  mobility  among  research  centres  in  the  different  Member 
States. The programme  covered  a broad  variety  of scientific  areas. 

In  the  Fourth  Framework  programme,  "Human  Capital  and  Mobility"  has  been  replaced 
by the new  specific  programme  "Training  and  Mobility  of  Researchers"  (1995-1998)  with 
similar  aims  and  scientific  areas covered  by  it. The  budget  of TMR  is 744  MECU. 

54 

Information 

and  Communication 

Technologies 

The  Information  Society  Issue 
The  Commission  has  presented  an  action  plan  on  the  implementation  of  the  Information  Society"6, 
focusing  mainly  on  four  aspects:  1) Creation  of  a  legal  framework,  2)  Promotion  of  initiatives  based  on 
private-public  partnership, 3) Comprehension  and control of the Information  Society  in relation  to its social 
and  cultural  aspects,  and  4)  Raising  the  citizens'  awareness  of  the  Information  Society  through  promotion 
activities. 

The  Essen  European  Council  broadly  endorsed  the  report  and  wished  that  the  work  in progress  continues. 
The  same  European  Council  stressed  the  importance  for  a  liberalised  European  telecommunications 
infrastructures  market  by  1.1.1998 and  welcomed  the  G7  ministerial  conference  on  the global  information 
society, to be held  in  Brussels  in  February  1995 (A  projects  presentation  - including tourism  projects  - will 
take place within  the framework  of this  conference). 

In this respect,  tourism  is an  interesting  experimental  ground  for  evaluating  the  impact of this  Information 
Society. The work  could  focus  on  two types  of considerations  related  on the one hand, to the new  ways of 
living  and  working  together  which  are  being  generated,  and  on  the  other  hand,  to  the  fact  that  this  is  a 
market-driven  revolution. 

For  the  tourism  industry,  that  means  that  changes  brought  about  need  to  be  systematically  evaluated  in 
order to determine  the way  in which  this  new  resource  can  be best exploited,  without  being detrimental  to 
the  interests tourism  demand.  On  the  offer  side,  it entails  that  tourism  operators  should  be  made  aware  of 
the  need  for  a  new  regulatory  environment  allowing  full  competition,  to  ensure  a  rapid  emergence  of 
efficient  European  information  infrastructures  and services. 

This  approach  raises  questions  about  the  future  role  of  tourism  intermediaries  in  the  distribution  process 
and,  assuming  co-operation  of  the  private  sector,  the  implications  for  public  authorities  whether  national 
and/or European  as to what could be done in a co-ordinated  way to accompany this evolution. 

Standardisation  is a field  where  significant  progress  has been  made  during  recent  years. 
This  work  has  also  had  an  impact  on  the  information  and  communication  technologies 
used  for  tourism  and  leisure  purposes.  The  Community  programme  Trade  Electronic 
Data Interchange Systems  (TEDIS)U1  supported  projects  concerning  the  adoption  of  the 
UN/Edifact  standards  and  the  development  of  the  Electronic  Data  Interchange  (EDI). 
TEDIS  has  considered  legal  aspects  for  telecommunications,  security  of  data  and 
provision of information  to the public. 

Community  support  was  also  provided  to  the  Western  European  Edifact  Board"8  on 
standardisation.  Within  this  body,  specific  working  groups  were  responsible  for  the 
development  of  structured  standards  for  the  electronic  transmission  of  data  for  tourism 
and leisure purposes. Work in this field  includes the following areas: 

specification  of  the  general  layout  and  content  of  tickets,  vouchers  and  similar 
documents; 

definition  of  a  standardised  man-machine  language  and  procedure,  based  on  a 
vocabulary  of  understood  terms  within  the  industry,  called  the  "Inter  professional 
Vocabulary  for Tourism & Leisure"; 

creation  of  a  data  flow  model  for  the  tourism  and  leisure  industry  and  the 
establishment  of precise functions  for messages to be developed within this model; 

116  Communication  of  the  Commission,  "Towards  an  Information  Society  - An  Action  Plan"  COM(94) 

347,  Brussels  19.7.1994. 
117  OJ  L 208, of  30.7.1991. 
118  Directive  83/I89/EEC,  OJ  L  109, of 26.4.1983. 
55 

definition  of data  requirements  of  these  functions; 

proposal  of  amendments  or  additions 
Directory"; 

to  ISO  7372  "Trade  Data  Elements 

development  of 
recommendations. 

tourism  and 

leisure  messages  conforming 

to  UN/Edifact 

Furthermore,  during  1994,  tourism  information  applications  are  expected  to  benefit  in  the 
future  both  from  the  Council's  adoption  of  a  common  position119  on  the  proposed 
guidelines  from  the  development  of  the  Integrated  Services  Digital  Network  (ISDN)  as  a 
trans-European  network,  and  from  the  Council's  agreement120  on  the  proposal  concerning 
trans-European  telematics  networks  for  the  interchange  of  data  between  administrations 
(IDA). 

• 

Specific  programmes 

including  actions  with  a relevance  to  tourism 

Communication  Technologies 

in Advanced  Communications 

technologies 
The  programme  "Research  and  Development 
in  Europe" 
(RACE),  focused  on  advanced  networks  and  advanced  communications' 
technologies  at  a  pre-commercial  and  pre-competitive  stage.  From  1995  onwards,  RACE 
will  be  succeeded  by  a  new  programme  Advanced  Communications  Technologies  and 
(ACTS)n\  with  a  budget  of  630  MECU.  The  RACE  priority  "Advanced 
Services 
Communications  Experiments"122  provided  financial  assistance  worth  ECU  5.2  million 
(50%  of the  total  budget)  to the project  "Tourism  Information  &  Marketing  (TIM)"  over  a 
period  of  four  years  ending  in  1994.  This  project,  designed  to  support  multimedia 
information  services  for  direct  marketing  links  between  enterprises  of tourism  and  leisure 
and  their  points  of  sales,  has  developed  links  with  the  major  Computer  Reservation 
Systems  in  order  to  promote  the  purchase  of  tourist  packages  and  the  booking  of 
reservations.  Another  project,  the  "Multimedia  Marketing  via  IBC  networks  (MNET)",  a 
1994/95  project  of  EC  financial  support  of  180,000  ECU  (total  budget:  239,000  ECU), 
aimed  to  investigate  -  through  test  trials  -  those  tourism  marketing  applications  which 
might  benefit  from  the  use  of advanced  communication  networks. 

Telematics 

The  programme  "Telematic  systems  of  general  interest"  ended  in  1994  to  be  replaced  by 
the  programme  "Telematics  Applications  of  general  interest"™  which  has  a  total  budget 
of  843  million  ECU  over  five  years.  This  programme  focuses  on  specific  application 
areas  which  are  commercially  feasible.  Tourism  should  benefit  from  the  development  of 
projects  within  the  specific  topics  of  this  programme:  telematics  for  services  of  public 
interest  (administrations  and  transport),  telematics  for  knowledge  (distance  education  and 
training,  etc.),  telematics  for  improving  employment  and  the  quality  of  life  (urban  and 
rural  areas,  environmental  protection,  disadvantaged  social  categories,  etc.).  Measures  in 
favour  of small  and  medium  sized  enterprises  are also supported  in this  programme. 

119  Council  meeting  of  22.12.1994. 
120  Council  meeting  of  17.12.1994. 
121  Council  Decision  94/572/EEC  of  27.7.1994,  OJ  L  222  of  26.8.1994  p.  35. 
122 

Including  interpersonal  communications,  telemarketing,  the  distribution  of  entertainment  and  leisure 
services,  multimedia  interpersonal  messaging  and  information  assembly. 

123  Council  Decision  94/801/EC,  OJ  L  334,  22.12.1994. 

56 

The  Opportunities  for  Rural  Areas"  sector  of  the  programme  focused  on  the  application 
of  telematics  in  rural  areas  and  provided  financial  assistance  for  sixteen  projects,  two  of 
which  related  to  tourism.  The  "Distributed  Inter-regional  Agri-tourism  Multimedia 
Management  System" project  (DIAMMS) addressed the need  for a co-ordinated  approach 
towards  the  development,  marketing  and  promotion  of  agri/rural  tourism  in  the  Union. 
DIAMMS  provides  access  to  a  multimedia  database  containing  maps,  site  plans, 
photographic  images and  a holiday  reservation  system.  It received  550  KECU  over  three 
years.  The  "Telematics  Applications  for  Tourism  and  Leisure  in  Rural  Areas"  project 
(RUTOTEL)  identified  telematic  services  suitable  to  be  implemented  in  rural  areas  to 
serve tourism and  leisure activities. RUTOTEL developed a demonstration  system on the 
application of telematics in tourism and leisure services. It received 920 KECU over three 
years. 

Information Market 

The  programme  Information  Market  Policy  Actions  (IMPACT)™  is  currently  in  its 
completion  stage  having  supported  four  projects  using  tourism  as  their  application  (see 
table).  IMPACT  supported  commercially  feasible  projects  as  part  of  its  objective  to 
establish  an  internal  European  information  market.  In  1995, the  programme  INFO  2000 
replaces IMPACT. 

IMPACT-II  PROJECTS (BUDGETARY COMMITMENTS 1994) 

Project 

Subject 

Total 
(ECU) 

EC 
Contribution 

1,000,000 

100,000 

CAP  95 

TITAN 

Self  service  terminals  providing  tourist  information  for  the 
visitors  to the city  of  Luxembourg.  To  be  launched  in  1995, as 
the City  of Luxembourg  is European  Cultural  Capital  1995 

Production  and  distribution  of  tourist  information  for  personal 
computers 

560,000 

275,000 

EXPLORER 

Creation  of  an  application  generator  for  holding 
information 

tourism 

763,000 

300,000 

VITAL 

Information  to the city traveller  about  possible  itineraries 

718,000 

300,000 

2.2 

A  WHOLE  RANGE  OF  SPECIFIC 

INTERVENTIONS 

CONTRIBUTING 

TO 

BALANCED 

TOURISM  DE  VELOPMENT 

The  dynamic  of  the  Single  Market,  in  itself,  is  not  always  sufficient  to  ensure  the 
balanced  development  of  tourism.  This  is why  assistance  is required.  This  is obvious  in 
the internal dimension, and can also be perceived  with regard to the external dimension of 
trade. 

2.2.1 

The Internal  Dimension 

2.2.1.1.  Economic  and social  cohesion 

Strengthening  the  economic  and  social  cohesion  of  the  Member  States  within  the 
European  Union,  continues  to  be  an  on-going  commitment.  This  type  of  cohesion  will 

124  Council  Decision  88/524/EEC,  OJ  L 288,  21.10.1988,  p.  39. 

57 

only  be  achieved  where  there  is  greater  parity  in  the  levels  of  development  across  the 
regions  of  Europe  and  furthermore  development  which  is sustainable  in  the  long  term  and 
which  brings  with  it  improved  quality  of  life,  favourable  environmental  conditions  and 
economic  prosperity.  Tourism  is  a  recognised  factor  of  development  in  those  regions 
generally  lagging  behind  in  development,  experiencing  industrial  decline  or  are  of  a 
highly  rural  nature.  It also  has  much  potential  for job  creation  and  employment. 

The  main  financial  instruments  for  implementing  the  structural  changes  necessary  to 
achieve  sustainable  development  come  in  the  form  of  either  subsidies  (European  Funds) 
or  loans (European  Investment  Bank). 

• 

European  Funds 

Although  the  Cohesion  Fund  is  not  without  its  effect  on  tourism125,  the  analysis  will 
concentrate  on  the  Structural  Funds,  which  provide  the  main  finance  for  expanding 
tourism. 

The  Council  Regulations  adopted  on  31.7.1993,  amending  the  regulations  governing  the 
framework,  co-ordination126  and  implementation  of  the  structural  funds127  have  had  the 
effect  of  extending  the  eligibility  to  Community  structural  resources  to  new  regions  and 
to  new  kinds  of  structural  actions,  initiatives  and  in  the  new  period  1994-1999.  There  are 
also  a  number  of  new  concepts  being  developed  for  addressing  the  problems  of  the 
regions  particularly  with  regard  to  spatial  planning  and  the urban  environment. 

Measures  have  also  been  put  in  place  to  simplify  and  speed  up  the  programming 
processes  negotiated  and  agreed  with  the  national  and  regional  authorities)  with  better 
specified  and  more  quantifiable  objectives.  Allocation  of  resources  now  requires  greater 
involvement  of  the  Commission,  the  national  and  regional  authorities  in  the  selection  of 
projects  and  monitoring  of  the  structural  funds  implementation  and  the  application  of  the 
principle  of additionality  in the  Member  States. 

Better  specified  and  more  quantifiable  objectives 

Regional  policy  and  investment  of  the  Structural  Funds  are  intended  to  achieve  a  number 
of  objectives,  some  regionally  determined  (i.e.  Objectives  1, 2,  5b,  6)  and  others  not  (i.e. 
Objectives  3,  4,  5a).  Objectives  3  (combating  long-term  unemployment  and  improving 
employment  chances  for  the  young)  and  4  (adapting  the  workforce  to  industrial  changes) 
have  been  modified 
to  stimulate  more 
employment  and  job  creation.  A  new  provision  has  also  been  agreed  giving  Objective  1 
treatment  to  certain  under  populated  areas  in  Sweden  and  Finland  mainly  in the  region  of 
the Arctic  Circle  which  are  very  under  populated. 

to  respond  more  effectively 

to  the  need 

Allocations  of  structural  funds  (the  European  Regional  Development  Fund,  the  European 
Social  Fund,  the  European  Agricultural  Guidance  and  Guarantee  Fund-Guidance  and  the 
Financial  instrument  of  Fisheries  Guidance)  to  tourism  have  been  determined  in  the 
Community  Support  Frameworks  (CSFs)  or  Single  Programming  Documents  (SPDs) 
the  European 
(drawn  up  in  agreement  between  each  of  the  Member  States  and 

125  Cf.  Annex  5  for  a  presentation. 
126  Council  Regulation  E EC 2082/93  of  2 0 . 7 . 1 9 9 3,  OJ  L  193/20. 
127  Council  Regulation  E EC  2 0 8 0 / 93  ( F I F G)  of  2 0 . 7 . 1 9 9 3,  OJ  L  193/1,  Council  Regulation  E EC 
2083/93 
( E R D F)  of  2 0 . 7 . 1 9 9 3,  OJ  L  193/34,  Council  Regulation  EEC  2 0 8 4 / 9 3.  ( E S F)  of 
2 0 . 7 . 1 9 9 3,  OJ  L  193/39,  Council  Regulation  E EC 2085/93  of  2 0 . 7 . 1 9 9 3,  OJ  L  193/44,  3 1 . 7 . 1 9 9 3. 
58 

Commission) to achieve a number of results: 

improving the supply of tourism accommodation  and facilities ; 

improved  organisation  of  tourism  related  businesses  and  increased  professionalism 
among tourism operators; 

support  for  detailed  tourism  strategies  based  on  the  "indigenous  potential  in  the 
regions"128 concerned. 

The  contribution  of  Structural  Funds  to  Objective  1  regions  for  expenditure  on 
development  for  the period  1994-1999  will  be 93,810  million  ECU. Of this, the  planned 
allocation  to  tourism  under  the  heading  of  "productive  environment"  alone  (i.e.  industry 
aid  schemes  and  sectoral  investment,  support  of  industries  and  services  in  particular 
SMEs  and  Tourism  and  support  infrastructure)  for  the  12  Member  States  totals  3,313 
million  ECU or 3,5% of the total  contribution.  Similarly  in Objective  2 regions, planned 
expenditure  on  tourism  development  (under  productive  environment)  between  1994  and 
1996 accounts  for  6,8 % or 473 million  ECU of the total  Structural  funds  contribution  to 
Objective  2 development  expenditure. 

Tourism  has  increasingly  gained  recognition  as a means for  regional  development  by the 
national  and  regional  authorities.  In  the  Objective  1  regions  -  including  the  recent 
additions  under  the  new  period,  the  new  German  Lander,  East  Berlin,  Cantabria,  Spain, 
Hainaut,  Belgium,  and  Flevoland,  Netherlands,  Merseyside,  United  Kingdom  and  the 
Highlands and Islands, United  Kingdom - tourism has been identified  as a priority  within 
the CSF of Italy and the Single Programming  documents of Guadaloupe, France, and  the 
Highlands  and  Islands.  This  does  not  take  account  of  the  tourism  sub-programming 
documents  or operational  plans prepared  by other  Member  States and  regions within  the 
framework  of other priorities e.g. Greece, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Merseyside. 

On 20.1.1994129, the  Commission  adopted  the  list  of areas  affected  by  industrial  decline 
eligible  under  Objective  2  for  the  period  1994-1996  and  on  11.2.1994130  it  fixed  the 
indicative  allocation  to  the  Member  States  of  the  commitment  appropriations  from  the 
Structural  funds  for this Objective. 

Objective  5(b)  targets  regions,  with  low  socio-economic  rural  development  with  a  high 
level of agricultural employment,  low levels of agricultural  income and or evidence of the 
demographic  factor  (low population  density or significant  depopulation). The list of areas 
approved  as eligible under Objective  5(b) for  1994-1999131 have about  8.2% of the of the 
Community's  populations. The SPDs for  Objective  5(b) were  approved  on 5/15.10.1994, 
16.11.1994 and  7.12.1994. 

The Arctic  regions  identified  as Objective  areas  for  assistance  may  also  see tourism  as a 
means of development132. 

128  Council  Regulation  EEC  2083/93  of  20.7.1993,  OJ  L  193/34,  article  lc,  31.7.1993. 
129  OJ  L  81  24.3.1994. 
130  OJ  L  82,  25.3.1994. 
131  Approved  by  the  Commission  on  26.1.1994  Bull  1/2-1994,  point  1.2.112. 
132  Tables  and  budgets  do  not  show  any  allocation  of  resources  for  the  new  Member  States,  as  these 

were  still  under  negotiation  in  1994  and  the  countries  in  question  had  still  to join  the  Union. 

59 

Improving monitoring of the Structural Funds 

The European  Regional  Development  Fund  is the major  source of  Structural  funding  for 
tourism development.  Funding  is allocated  under 3 main headings: 

investment  in production, 

investment  in infrastructure  and, 

the development  of the indigenous potential of the regions. 

Structural  Funds  contributions  to  tourism  based  on  the  Community  Support  Frameworks  and  the 
Single  Programming  Documents for  Objectives  I  and 2 regions 

Millions of ECUs at  1994 prices 

j 

:^^^^^^^ÊÊi. 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
United  Kingdom 

TOTAL 

Objective  1  (1994-1999) 

Objective  2 (1994-1996) 

ERDF 

ERDF 

32 
not eligible 
0 
683 
538 
99 
354 
775 
not eligible 
4 
571 
118 

3174 

K) 
9 
15 
not eligible 
0 
147 
not eligible 
66 
0 
34 
not eligible 
242 

523 

Two periods of 3 years have been  established  for the allocation of funding  to Objective  2 regions which 
offers  scope  for  introducing  adjustments  to  eligible  areas  and  the  CSFs  at  the  end  of  the  first  3  year 
period 

Of  the  total  ERDF  allocation  to  Objective  1 regions  (5.6  billion  ECUS  approximately)  5.6%  can  be 
clearly  identified  as  contributing  to  tourism  development.  In  Objective  2  regions  (2.2  billion  ECUs 
approximately  for  ERDF) 9.7% will contribute to tourism. 

Article  10 of  the  ERDF  Regulations  provides  for  an  ERDF contribution  of  up  to  1% of 
the  annual  budget  for  the  financing  of  studies,  pilot  and  demonstration  projects  for  the 
exchange  of  experience  and  good  practice  in  matters  relating  to  regional  development 
which  can  also  cover  regional  tourism  development.  Actions  under  Article  10  may  be 
applied to the whole of the Community's  territory, thus providing an articulation  between 
eligible  and  non-eligible  regions  of  the  Community  which  is essential  for  the  promotion 
of social and economic cohesion. 

During  the  period  1989-1993, 326.5  MECU  was allocated  for  projects  and  studies  under 
main categories: spatial  planning at Community  level; cross-border cooperation  (this  was 
later  developed  as  the  initiative  INTERREG  I); cooperation  between  cities  and  regions 

60 

(RECITE)  and  urban  issues. 

During  the  period  1994-1999,  four  main  priorities  for  support  under  article  10  by  means 
of  studies,  pilot  projects  and  cooperation  networks  have  been  identified  which  all  are  of 
potential  relevance  to  the development  of  tourism  activities. 

Inter-regional 

cooperation 

Support  is  available  for  inter-regional  cooperation  between  local  and  regional 
authorities  to  participate  within  the  European  Union  the  exchange  of  experience 
the  networks  of 
programme  PACTE,  (6.3  MECU  available 
cooperation  (RECITE).  Support  is also  available  for  inter-regional  cooperation  with 
partners  from  third  countries  under  the  OUVERTURE/  ECOS  programme. 

in  1994)  and 

Spatial  planning 

There  are  several  aims  to  this  priority:  a  research  programme  leading  to  a  better 
understanding  of  spatial  planning;  support  for  development  plans  or  feasibility 
studies  which  contribute  to  better  transnational  spatial  planning;  and  pilot  projects 
which  focus  on  spatial  planning  for  specific  types of areas. 

Innovative  actions  in regional  development 

Within  this  priority  the  main  theme  of  interest  for  tourism  is  the  attention  that  will 
be  given  to  the  economic  impact  of  the  exploitation  of  regional  cultural  heritage,  a 
major  pole  of all  tourism  in Europe. . 

The  development  of  urban  policies 

Cities  while  being  main  sources  of  economic  development  and  tourism,  also  suffer 
more  acutely  from  the  negative  aspects  of  life,  congestion,  pollution,  industrial 
decay  and  social  exclusion.  As  a  complement  to  the  Urban  Initiative,  this  priority 
will  fund  pilot  projects  that  deal  with  urban  city  problems  in  both  eligible  and 
non-eligible  regions. 

The  European  Agricultural  Guidance  and  Guarantee  Fund-Guidance  provides  resources 
for  Objective  1 and  Objective  5b  regions  (rural  areas  in  decline).  Assistance  for  tourism 
development  is  mainly  in  the  form  of  encouragement  to  invest  in  tourism  development 
and  the  development  of  artisan  crafts  including  improvement  of  the  natural  and  cultural 
environment  and  development  of agricultural  products. 

funding 

is  allocated 

tourism  under  the  different  Objectives, 
Community 
particularly  l,5(a)  and  5(b).  However,  the  EAGGF  Guidance  Section  has  been  given  a 
broader  remit  and  certain  measures  with  a  direct  or  indirect  bearing  on  rural  tourism  are 
mentioned  explicitly  in the  new  rules  governing  the Structural  Funds133: 

to  rural 

Pilot  projects134  support  the  same  terms  as  under  the  previous  legislation,  but  the 
framework  is  defined  in  more  general  terms.  Projects  can  concern  the  adjustment  of 
agricultural  and  forestry  structures  and  the  promotion  of rural  development.  This  wording 
leaves  enough  leeway  to  promote  a  wide  range  of  innovative  projects  in  rural  areas, 
including  rural  tourism. 

133  EEC  Regulation  n°  2085/93  OJ  L  193,  3 1.7.1993. 
61 
134  Article  8 of  EEC  Regulation  n°  2085/93. 

TABLE 1 

BUDGETARY  RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO TOURISM135 IN OBJECTIVE  1 
REGIONS UNDER E A G GF  FOR  1994-1999 

Member 
States 

Structural 
Funds 

EAGGF 

Contribution  to  tourism 

MECU 

% 

MECU 

%  of  E A G GF 

Germany 

Belgium 

Spain 

Greece 

France 

Ireland 

Italy 

Netherlands 

Portugal 

United 
Kingdom 

European 
Union 

13,640.0 

730.0 

26,300.0 

13,980.0 

2,190.0 

5,620.0 

14,860.0 

150.0 

13,980.0 

2,359.8 

2,644.5 

47.0 

3,313.8 

1,800.0 

431.4 

1,058.0 

2,228.0 

21.5 

1,894.2 

245.9 

93,809.8 

13,684.3 

(1) Estimated value 
(2) Taken  from  the CSF 

TABLE 2 

19.4 

6.4 

12.6 

12.9 

19.7 

18.8 

15.0 

14.3 

13.5 

10.4 

14.6 

800.0(1) 

1.7 

549.35 

39.6(1) 

7.0(1) 

9.6 

862.1 (2) 

1.2 

38.9 

1.0(1) 

2310.45 

30.25 

3.61 

16.58 

2.2 

1.62 

0.91 

38.69 

5.58 

2.05 

0.41 

18.65 

SINGLE PROGRAMMING  DOCUEMNTS (SPDs)  FOR  OBJECTIVE 5B (1994-1999): Funding 
for measures to assist the tourism sector. 

MECU (current  prices) 

Member 
State 

Total  Cost 

Community  Contribution 

AH  SPDs 

tourism 

All  SPDs 

tourism 

%. 
tourism 

tourism  measures 

measures 

measures 

measures 

EAGGF 

ERDF 

a 

266.24 

201.52 

5205.29 

1798.72 

7832.01 

4728.42 

25.51 

592.08 

b 

30.90 

57.47 

382.89 

149.72 

891.05 

914.42 

4.45 

72.86 

2012.33 

418.96 

c 

d=f+g 

e=d/c 

f 

78.09 

54.00 

1229.09 

664.00 

2229.30 

903.70 

6.00 

150.00 

820.47 

10.23 

14.71 

86.68 

45.21 

258.43 

168.61 

0.98 

20.89 

174.89 

13.1% 

27.2% 

7.1% 

6.8% 

11.6% 

18.7% 

16.4% 

13.9% 

21.3% 

0.76 

6.48 

42.45 

7.67 

27.36 

37.57 

0.06 

1.38 

38.78 

g 

9.47 

8.23 

44.24 

37.54 

231.07 

131.05 

0.93 

19.50 

136.11 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Germany 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Luxembourg 

Netherlands 

United 
Kingdom 

TOTAL 

22662.12 

2922.40 

6134.59 

780.64 

12.7% 

162.50 

618.14 

135  Tourism  in this context  is taken  to include  any  action  which  could  assisi  people  making trips. 

62 

Objective 5 b, Examples of Programmes  Where Tourism Has Been Identified As A Priority 

Country 

Belgium 
Belgium 
Denmark 
France 
France 
Italy 
Italy 
Italy 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Netherlands 
Netherlands 
Netherlands 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 

Region 

Meetjesland 
Westhoek 
Denmark 
Auvergne 
Bourgogne 
Friuli-Veneziia Giulia 
Pieinonte 
Valle d'Aosta 
Veneto 
Luxembourg 
Friesland 
Groningen/Drenthe 
Limburg 
Overijssel 
Central  Scotland/Tayside 
East  Anglia 
English Northern  Uplands 
Lincolnshire 
SW England 
The Marches 
Wales 

Identified  Priority 

Tourism  development 
Tourism  development 
Tourism 
Tourism, open areas, environment 
Tourism  Potential/ natural & cultural  heritage 
Tourism 
Strengthening tourism  activities 
Rural Tourism  & natural  environment 
Valorisation  of tourism  resources 
Tourism  & quality of life 
Natural  resources and countryside  ,Tourism  & recreation 
Tourism 
Tourism 
Agricultural  development, Tourism  & nature 
Tourism 
Tourism  development 
Tourism 
Tourism 
Tourism 
Tourism 
Tourism  development 

ERDF 
546.357 
1.241.752 
102.050.000 
416.400.000 
233.330.000 
7.601.577 
14.613.000 
1.966.500 
7.738.492 
1.780.000 
7.080.000 
4.975.000 
3.295.000 
3.238.000 
7.510.000 
12.200.000 
14.570.000 
7.000.000 
35.680.000 
5.200.000 
36.280.000 

EAGGF 

0 
0 
6.480.000 
282.240.000 
4.545.000 
1.842.105 
0 
0 
4.369.353 
1.193.750 
18.290.000 
1.383.000 
0 
4.734.000 
0 
0 
4.050.000 
2.200.000 
5.200.000 
0 
7.500.000 

ESF 

0 
0 
31.750.000 
18.650.000 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2.020.000 
405.000 
1.620.000 
1.120.000 
7.000.000 
1.400.000 
9.900.000 

Of the 69 programmes  adopted  under  Objective  5b, in the  9 Member  States concerned,  21 of the regional  programmes  above  have  a priority  axe 
explicitly  concerned  with  tourism.  Some  aspects  of  the  regional  programmes  particularly  those  concerning  Objective  2  (Industrial  regions  in 
decline) and  Objective  5b (rural  areas  in decline)  are still  under  negotiation  and  have yet to be adopted.  Work  is currently  in progress  to  classify 
by  theme  (tourism  included)  all  credits  made  under  Objective  5b, extracting  details  on  expenditure  (e.g. on  tourism)  even  in  those  programmes 
where it is not a priority axe. 

63 

The  potential  of the  tourist  industry  as  a source  of  new employment,  particularly  for  more 
vulnerable  groups  in  society  (e.g.  women  and  young  people),  is  being  increasingly 
recognised  and  given  increased  attention. 

The  role  of  the  European  Social  Fund136  in  the  European  Union  is  the 
development  of  human  resources  and 
Furthermore,  three  priorities  have  been  identified  for  use of  ESF: 

twofold: 
improved  efficiency  of  the  labour  market. 

improving  access  to  and  the  quality  of  education  and  initial  training,  and  boosting 
human  potential  in research,  science  and  technology 

increasing  competitiveness  and  preventing  unemployment  by  adapting  the  workforce 
to the challenge  of change  through  a systematic  approach  to continuing  training 

the 

long-term 
improving 
unemployment  and  exclusion  through  the  development  of  a  package  of  measures 
which  form  a pathway  to  integration. 

employment  opportunities  of 

exposed 

those 

to 

The  new  Community  Support  Frameworks  or  Single  programming  documents  for  the 
period  1994-1999  do  give  some  indication  of  the  support  that  will  be  given  to  tourism. 
However,  it  is very  difficult  to  identify  precisely  the exact  allocation  that  will  be  spent  on 
the tourism  sector. 

In  Objective  1 regions  resources  will  be  used  to  strengthen  tourism  development  within 
the  framework  of  operational  programmes  comprising  resources  for  capital  investment 
from  the  European  Regional  Development  Fund  ERDF  and  ESF  resources  for  developing 
the  labour  force  in the tourism  sector. 

In  Objective  2  regions  (in  industrial  decline)  ESF  resources  will  be  used  to  assist  in  the 
retraining  and  re-qualification  of the workforce  and  aid  for  employment. 

In the  whole  of  the  EU  under  Objectives  3 and  4, one  of  the  priorities  for  ESF  support  is 
the  development  of  leisure  and  cultural  activities  particularly  where  they  are  associated 
with  local job  creation  initiatives. 

Under  the  new  regulation  for  ESF  the  amount  of  employment  aids  will  no  longer  be 
determined  by 
training  will  depend  on  national  aid 
arrangements. 

the  Community  but,  as  for 

136  Council  Regulation  (EEC)N°  2084/93 of  20.6.1993,  OJ  L  193/39,  31.7.1993. 

64 

ESF  RESOURCES TO ASSIST TOURISM  IN OBJECTIVE  1 &  2  REGIONS 

(1994 prices in MECU) 

Member  States 

Objective  1 

Objective  2 

TOTAL 

Belgium 
Denmark 
Spain 

France 
Italy 

Netherlands 
United  Kingdom 
Greece 
Ireland 
Portugal 

Total 

3.00 

-
11.80 

-
87.50 
1.00 
35.00 
10.00 
102.00 
47.00 

297.30 

-
1.80 

-
2.80 
4.60 
7.50 
46.00 

-
-
-

62.7 

3.00 
1.80 
11.80 
2.80 
92.10 

8.50 
81.00 
10.00 
102.00 
47.00 

360.00 

The allocations from  the European  Social  Fund (ESF) correspond  only to those actions 
specifically  identified  for  tourism.  It  should  be  noted  that  many  other  training  actions 
may indirectly be of benefit  to tourism. 

The  Community  Initiatives:  Following  approval  of  its  proposed  guidelines  for  13 
Community  initiatives  from  the  European  Parliament,  Economic  and  Social  Committee 
and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions,  the  Commission  adopted  the  final  version  of  the 
guidelines on  15.6.1994 and proceeded  to issue notices to the Member States137. A total of 
11.9  billion  ECU  has  been  allocated  to  the  13  initiatives  approved  thus  far,  leaving  a 
reserve of  1.6 billion ECU to be allocated over the period  1994-1999138. 

Indicative allocations  were adopted  for  each of the initiatives on  13.7.1994, not  including 
Rechar,  Résider,  Konver  and  Retex  (new  areas).  The  initiatives  all  have  3  particular 
features:  support  for  the  development  of  trans-national,  crossborder  and  inter-regional 
co-operation; a "bottom-up" approach  to implementation; and the high profile  on the spot 
which they give to Community  measures. 

The Commission  approved  the  financial  allocations  for the Member  States and the  list of 
eligible  zones  for  the  Initiatives  concerned  with  industrial  change  on  12.10.1994  and 
officially  invited the Member States to submit operational  programmes by  15.11.1995. 

The  13 initiatives139 cover 7 subjects: 

Cross-border, trans-national and inter-regional 
co-operation and networks 

Rural  development 

The  most  remote  regions 

INTERREG II 

LEADER  II 

REGIS 

137  Communication  to  the  Member  States  setting  out  guidelines  on  the  Community  Initiatives  for  the 

period  1994-1999,  O JC  180/1,  1.7.1994. 

138  Articlel2.5,  Council  Regulation  EEC N°  2081/93  of  20.7.1994,  OJ  193/16,  31.7.1993. 
139  For a detailed  presentation  see Annex  6. 

65 

Employment  and  the  development  of  human 
resources  -

EMPLOYMENT  - NOW,  HORIZON, 
YOUTHSTART 

The  management  of  industrial  change  -

ADAPT,  RECHAR,  RESIDER, 
KONVER,  RETEX,  TEXTILES, 
SMEs 

The  development  of  crisis-hit  urban  areas 

Restructuring  of  the  fishing  industry  -

URBAN 

PESCA 

Within  the  majority  of  these  initiatives  (except  RETEX)  tourism  related  measures  are 
identified  as  being  eligible  for  support.  Following  publication  of  the  Commission's 
guidelines  (OJ  C  180,  1.7.1994)  the  Member  States  were  given  till  November  1994  to 
submit their  programmes. 

Operational  programmes  for  a number  of the  Initiatives  in a number  of the Member  States 
were already  adopted  by  the end  of  1994. 

Spain: 
Portugal: 
Greece: 
Northern  Ireland: 
Netherlands 

INTERREG,  REGEN/Portugal 
INTERREG,  and  REGEN/Spain,  Regis, Résider and  Rechar 
INTERREG/external  frontiers,  a part of REGEN  and  URBAN 
URBAN,  SME 
RESIDER 

A  new  initiative  for  Northern  Ireland:  following  the  start  of  the  "peace  process"  in 
Northern  Ireland  in  July  1994,  the  Essen  European  Council  approved  in  principle  a 
multi-annual  programme  for  the  period  1995-1999. A Community  contribution  of  MECU 
300  for  the  first  3  years  will  apply  Northern  Ireland  and  to  the  five  bordering  counties  of 
the  Irish  Republic.  The  priorities  of  this  programme  will  focus  on  urban  and  rural 
regeneration,  employment  creation,  cross-border  development,  social 
inclusion  and 
industrial  development. 

Investment  of the  structural  funds  in  tourism  as  a means  of  implementing  regional  policy 
has a major  role  to play  in achieving  sustainable  tourism  development.  The  modifications 
made  to  the  Structural  Funds  Regulations  concerning  improved  monitoring  committees 
for  the  various  programmes  during  this  new  period  offer  greater  scope  for  all  partners 
concerned  at  the  local,  national  and  European  level  to  examine  effectively  what  has  been 
planned,  how  actions  are  being  implemented  with  the  resources  allocated,  and  with  what 
effective  results. 

A  detailed  evaluation  of  the  previous  period  1988-1993  is  in  progress.  As  over  2  billion 
ECU  was allocated  to  tourism  development,  analysis  of the  results of this  investment  will 
be  an  essential  consideration  for  future  co-ordination  procedures  for  allocating  resources 
in line with a more  comprehensive  strategy. 

• 

European  Investment  Bank 

As  part  of  its  task  of  providing  long-term  finance  for  investments  contributing  to  the 
implementation  of  Community  policies,  the  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB)  assists 
tourism  in various  ways. 

Most  of  the  EIB's  activities  are  concerned  with  reducing  regional  disparities,  a  priority 
66 

confirmed  by  the  Maastricht  Treaty.  Accordingly,  action  to strengthen  tourism  facilities 
is  restricted  almost  exclusively  to  regions  in  receipt  of  Community  Structural  Funds: 
more  than  three-quarters  of  the  finance  granted  between  1990  and  1994  fell  under  this 
heading, i.e. ECU  1014 million, of which  ECU  151 million were granted  in 1994. 

Finance  provided  by the  EIB to assist  the  "tourism/leisure"  sector 
1990 to  1994 and  in  1994 (ECU 000 000) 

Country 

1990-1994 

Total 

Loans 

Total 

Funds via 
global 
loans 

1994 

Loans 

Funds via 
global 
loans 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Spain 

France 

Greece 

Ireland 

Italy 

Netherlands 

Portugal 

Germany 

United 
Kingdom 

Total 

24.2 

0.4 

77.8 

322.8 

29.4 

29.5 

342.2 

14.0 

78.0 

62.3 

33.6 

24.2 

0.4 

77.8 

141.3 

29.4 

29.5 

309.4 

14.0 

47.5 

62.3 

17.9 

6.0 

0.0 

3.1 

31.6 

4.4 

15.7 

79.2 

4.5 

0.0 

0.6 

6.2 

181.5 

32.8 

30.5 

15.7 

6.0 

3.1 

31.6 

4.4 

15.7 

73.0 

4.5 

0.6 

6.2 

6.2 

1014.2 

260.5 

753.7 

151.3 

6.2 

145.1 

The assistance  given  to  these  regions  is  mainly  to  small  or  medium-sized  hotels  (nearly 
1 200  projects  received  ECU 632  million  between  1990  and  1994,  cf.  Table  2),  and  is 
financed  by global  loans concluded  with  banks  and  financial  intermediaries  which are in 
close  touch  with  local  conditions  and  with  which  the  EIB  works  closely.  The  hotel 
projects  are concerned  to a great extent  with business tourism, which throughout  the year 
supports  the  economic  expansion  of  regions  less  immediately  attractive  to  tourists.  A 
particularly  large volume of investment  has been made, since  1990, in the eastern  regions 
of  Germany,  where  such  establishments  were  very  rare.  Furthermore,  over  the  same 
period,  some  ECU 50 million  in  individual  loans  was  granted  for  hotels  and  several 
motels in the United  Kingdom and Portugal. 

Most  of  the  other  investments  covered  very  diverse  establishments  and  served  to 
reinforce  the  tourist  appeal  of  the  regions  concerned:  camp  sites,  ski  lifts,  leisure  areas 
and  also,  particularly  in  Italy,  buildings  and  sites  of  a  cultural  or  architectural  interest 
which warranted a visit by tourists. 

In  addition  to  the  regions  receiving  regional  development  aid,  the  EIB  financed  an 
exceptionally  large-scale  project  contributing  to  the  Community's  tourist  appeal,  i.e.  the 
Euro Disney park in the Paris area. 

67 

Funds  granted  via  global  loans  in the  "tourism/leisure"  sector 
1990 to  1994 (ECU  000 000) 

Country 

Number 

Amount 

of which  hotels 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Spain 

France 

Greece 

Ireland 

Italy 

Netherlands 

Portugal 

Germany 

United  Kingdom 

Total 

28 

7 

82 

345 

29 

80 

624 

20 

41 

236 

27 

1 519 

24.2 

0.4 

77.8 

141.3 

29.4 

29.5 

309.4 

14 

47.5 

62.3 

17.9 

753.7 

19.4 

0.3 

75.6 

102.3 

27.5 

19.5 

256.6 

9.1 

47.3 

58.4 

15.5 

631.5 

In addition to these sources of finance,  there are more specific  mechanisms, such as loans 
under Article 56 of the ECSC Treaty (Annex 7). 

2.2.1.2.  Improved communications -  "Trans European Networks" 
Within the context  in Title XII  of the Treaty  on European  Union140, and the  White  Paper 
on  "Growth,  Competitiveness,  Employment"141,  two  expert  groups  were  established  by 
the  Commission  to  take  forward  proposals  on  the  trans-European  networks:  The 
"Christophersen  Group",  made  up  of  representatives  of  the  Heads  of  State  or 
Government,  on  transport,  energy  and  environmental  infrastructure  networks;  and  the 
"Bangemann  Group",  which  comprised  of  leading  figures  from  the  telecommunications 
industry, to consider information  infrastructure  and the "information society" 

The  identification  and  financial  support  of  priority  projects  and  measures  concerning 
European  transport,  telecommunications  and  environmental  infrastructure  is expected  to 
be  of  large  benefit  to  tourism.  "Networks are  the  arteries of  the Single Market"1*2  and 
tourism  is  an  industry  which  depends  heavily  on  road,  rail  and  air  transport, 
telecommunication  infrastructures  transmitting  on-line  tourist  information  and  allowing 
reservation  and  marketing  possibilities,  as  well  as  environmental  infrastructures,  a 
prerequisite  for the sustainable development  of tourism.  Energy networks are expected  to 
benefit  tourism  indirectly,  mainly  by  reducing  the  costs  for  European  economies  of 
providing  necessary  energy  supplies,  and  thus,  allowing  their  smooth  functioning  on  a 
long-term basis. 

140  O JC  191,  of29.7.1992,  p.  25. 
141  White  Paper  on  "Growth,  Competitiveness,  Employment.  The  challenges  and  ways  forward  into  the 

21st  century",  p.  75. 
Idem. 

142 

68 

2.2.1.3.  Transport 

facilities 

Transport  is  an  essential  factor  for  the  tourist  industry  and  the  measures  taken  in  this 
sector  have  a significant  effect  on  the expansion  of  tourism. 

The  White  Paper  on  the  Future  Development  of  the  Common  Transport  Policy,  adopted 
by  the  Commission  on  2.12.1992,  remains  the  frame  of  reference  for  Community  activity 
in this matter,  proposing  a global  approach  based  on  the development,  on  the one  hand,  of 
integrated  multi-modal  systems  of  transport,  environmentally  friendly,  taking  account  of 
the  requirements  of  reliability,  safety  and  comfort  of  European  citizens  and,  on  the  other, 
of  the  development  of  trans-European  networks  offering  a  framework  favourable  to  the 
mobility  of  all. 

• 

Actions  and  measures  in the field  of  transport  which  affect  tourism 

In  accordance  with  the  basic  principles  of  the  Common  Transport  Policy,  i.e.  mobility 
and  freedom  of choice  of the  individual  under  certain  conditions  and  within  the context  of 
sustainable  development,  the  Union  continued  its work  in this field  in  1994. 

Trans-European  Transport  Network 

transport  network.  In  addition, 

On 7.4.1994  the  Commission  forwarded  to  the  Council  a proposal143 aimed  at  establishing 
guidelines  covering  objectives,  priorities  and  main  lines  of  action  for  achieving  a 
trans-European 
identifies  projects  of 
common  interest  which,  when  achieved,  should  contribute  to  developing  the  network. 
is  intended  to  replace  and  complete  the  three  "modal" 
This  multi-modal  proposal 
decisions  adopted  by  the  Council  on  29.10.1993, which  concerned  only  the  development 
of  road,  inland  waterway  and  combined  transport  networks.  These  guidelines  include 
besides  the  aforementioned  networks,  railroads,  ports,  airports  and  information  and 
management  systems  for  the  whole  network.  The  proposal  has  already  been  discussed 
several  times  within  the  Community  institutions. 

this  proposal 

Air  transport 

On  14.12.1994  the  Commission  adopted  the  proposal  for  the  Directive  to  facilitate  access 
to  the  ground  handling  market  and  to  promote  fair  competition144.  Implementation  of  the 
third  air  transport  package  continues  to  open  up  new  possibilities  for  tourism  in  the 
Union.  Effective  access  to  the  market  still  poses  a  problem,  and  a  study  on  the 
distribution  of  time  slots  is  being  carried  out.  The  results  of  this  study  scheduled  to  be 
available  during  the  second  half  of  1995.  Work  on  improving  the  situation  regarding  the 
air navigation  management  system  is also  of  some  interest  to  tourism. 

Computerised  reservation  systems 

While  ensuring  implementation  of  the  code  of  conduct  on  CRSs145, and  following  several 
complaints  regarding  the  non-compliance  of  the  tariffs  charged  by  the  CRSs  with  the 
provisions  of  Article  10.1  of  this  code,  the  Commission  has  encouraged  a  wider 
discussion  of  pricing  principles.  A  working  group  composed  of  the  parties  concerned 
(representatives  of  airlines,  travel  agencies  and  CRSs)  has  been  formed  and  has  met  to 
examine  the  current  situation  and  possible  changes.  To  give  a better  picture  of  the  impact 

143  COM(94)  106  final  - OJ  C  220,  p.  1,  8.8.1994. 
144  COM(94)  590  Final. 
145  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  3089/93.  29.10.1993,  amending  Regulation  (EEC)  2299/85. 

69 

of  various  pricing  policies  on  the  enterprises  concerned,  a  study  has  also  been  initiated 
and  its development  followed  directly  by  the  members  of  the  working  group.  The  results 
of the study  are expected  in  the  second  half of  1995. 

Safety  on  board  means  of  transport 

-  Articles  8.1  and  8.2  of  Directive  94/58/EEC  of  22.11.1994146  concerning 

the 
minimum  level  of  training  for  persons  at  sea  lay  down  specific  provisions  regarding 
communications  on  board  passenger  vessels. 

-  Directive  94/56/EEC  of  22.11.1994l47  lays  down  fundamental  principles  governing 
requests  regarding  accidents  and  incidents  in  civil  aviation.  The  technical  enquiry  laid 
down  in  the  Directive  is  not  intended  to  establish  faults  or  blame  but  to  extract 
incidents  and 
information  which  might  prevent  future  accidents  and  technical 
consequently  to produce  safety  recommendations. 

• 

Budgetary  list  of actions  taken  in the field  of transport  with  an  effect  on  tourism 

Transport  infrastructure  policy 

During  the  period  1982-1994,  a total  of  ECU  1 088  million  was  devoted  to  implementing 
the  transport  infrastructure  policy,  forming  part  of  a  total  investment  of  ECU  15 000 
million.  Although  the  effect  on  tourism  is  not  quantifiable,  it  is  obvious  that  this  policy 
has a substantial  impact  on  promoting  infrastructure  of European  interest. 

During  the  period  1993-1994,  the  legal  basis  for  the  programme  of  action  in  the  field  of 
transport  infrastructure  (the  trans-European  networks  budgetary  heading)  was  Council 
Regulation  (EEC)  No  1738/93  of  25.6.1993  on  the  implementation  of  an  action 
programme  in  the  field  of  transport  infrastructure  with  a  view  to  the  completion  of  an 
integrated  transport  market.  This  Regulation  was  an  extension  of  the  1990  triennial 
Regulation  of  1990  on  following  up  the  guidelines  of  the  transport 
infrastructure 
programme  at  both  political  and  budgetary  level.  The  Regulation  expired  on  31.12.1994. 
It  had  a transitional  role  and  ensured  continuity  between  the  Action  Programme  launched 
by  Regulation  No  3359/90  and  the  entry  into  force  of  a  new  Regulation,  for  which  the 
proposal  to the Council  was  approved  by  the  Commission  on 2.3.1994148  for  the  transport, 
energy  and  communications  sector.  The  purpose  of  this  Regulation  is  to  provide,  on  the 
basis  of  Article  129  of  the  Treaty  on  European  Union,  a  legal  basis  for  Community 
financial  actions  relating  to  the  implementation  of  trans-European  networks.  The  finance 
planned  for  the  trans-European  transport  networks  is  ECU  1 868  million  for  the  period 
1994-1999. 

COST  Actions 

Four  actions  are  presently  being  implemented,  for  which  the  Commission  provides  the 
administrative  and  technical  secretariat.  The  financial  contribution  for  these  is  between 
ECU  400  000 and  ECU  600  000  per  year  per  action. 

146  OJ  L 3 1 9,  12.12.1994,  p.  2 8. 
147  OJ  L  3 1 9 / 9 4,  12.12.1994. 
148  C O M ( 9 4)  62. 

70 

These  actions  are: 

COST  317: Socio-economic  effects  of the  Channel  Tunnel 
To  devise  a  methodology  for  observing  the  socio-economic  effects  of  a  large-scale 
infrastructure. 

COST  318: Interaction  of air  transport  and  high  speed  rail  transport 
Analysis  of  interaction  and  complementary  features,  and  identification  of  the 
advantages  to users  and  the general  public. 

COST  322:  Low-floor  buses 
To  draw  up specifications  for  vehicles  and  boarding  points,  in particular  for  persons 
with reduced  mobility. 

COST  328:  Strategies  for  integrating  transport  infrastructure  networks  in  Europe 
To  find  methods  for  the  socio-economic  evaluation  of  European  infrastructures, 
taking  into  account  the  degree  to  which  the  transport  networks  can  be  operated 
jointly  and  can  be  interconnected. 

2.2.2.  The  External  Perspective 

Under  the  policy  of  economic,  financial  and  technical  cooperation  pursued  by  the 
Community  in  non-Community  countries,  tourism  has  been  able  to  benefit  in  particular 
from  the  instruments  established  to  associate  operators  in  the  private  sector  with  actions 
of mutual  interest  to both  the  Community  and  the partner  countries. 

Under  the  programme  for  setting  up joint  enterprises  (European  Community  Investment 
Partner  -  ECIP)  launched  in  1988  to  encourage  European  enterprises  to  invest  directly  in 
developing  countries 
the 
Community  gives  appropriate  financial  support  to  the  various  phases  of  setting  up  a joint 
venture  project.  Over  the  period  1989-1994,  25  projects  connected  with  tourism  were 
selected,  valued  at approximately  ECU  2.9  million  (Annex  8). 

in  Asia,  Latin  America  and 

the  Mediterranean  regions, 

The  projects  financed  in  1994  concerned  the  search  for  partners  for  developing  business 
tourism  and  congresses  in  Morocco  and  for  promoting  environmentally  friendly  tourism 
and adventure  tourism  in  South  Africa. 

2.2.2.1.  Establishment  of  networks  in  the  Mediterranean 

region 

the  decentralised  cooperation  of 

local 
Under 
labour  network)  and  MED  CAMPUS  (a  university  network),  a  number  of 
communities 
projects  were  initiated  in  the  tourism  sector  to  develop  training,  technical  assistance  or 
know-how-transfer  projects  between  operators  on  the  two  coasts  of  the  Mediterranean. 
Three  projects  involving  Community  finance  totalling  ECU  538 000  were  launched  in 
1994 under  MED  URBS. 

the  programmes  MED  URBS 

(a 

71 

MED URBS 

Project 

Coast  Map 
Development of the  Economy 
and Tourism 

Pharos 
Development of Tourism 

Sealink Nepon 
Development of the  Economy 
and Tourism 

Objectives 

Partners 

Amount 

Total 

Of  which 
EC 

300 000 

200 000 

200 000 

160 000 

280 000 

178 000 

Transfer  of information  and experiences, 
development  of new  ideas, implementation  of 
practical  projects  and establishment  of lasting 
relations  in order to: 
.  develop new markets; 
.  establish an economic development  strategy; 
.  foster  high-quality  services  in the tourism 

sector. 

.  Foster new forms  of cultural  tourism 
.  Consolidate the network of local 

communities with a lively  interest in 
expanding cultural  tourism. 

.  Establish  a procedure  for devising and 
mounting tourist/cultural  products. 

.  Disseminate the results of the network and 

pilot  projects. 

Improve relations between  the port and the 
town and  involve the  local authorities in 
managing the port. 
Make one of the objectives  of the network  the 
transfer  of know-how  on the control of 
pollution  generated  by port activities and try to 
integrate ports into the economic and social 
development of the city. 

Limassol 
CYPRUS 
Sivom Cap Corse 
FRANCE 
Regione 
Campania 
ITALY 
Mate-Asher 
Regional Council 
Dun  Laoghaire 
IRELAND 
Lakatamia 
CYPRUS 

Bremen 
GERMANY 
Patras 
GREECE 
Ashdod 
ISRAEL 
Haifa 
ISRAEL 
Brindisi 
ITALY 

72 

EUROMED 

Under  EUROMED,  ECU 431000  is  available  for  tourism  in  1994  to  finance  five 
cooperation projects  between university  institutes. 

Project 

Objectives 

Partners 

Amount 

"Sustainable Tourism" in 
Egypt 

Teacher  Training 

Unimed 

Total 

150 000 

Including 
EC 
60 000 

105 520 

79  140 

187  190 

112310 

.  Draw up guidelines  for supporting the 

development  of San  Sina, taking account of 
the proposed  marina of Al Homayera and the 
Ras Naqab airport. 

.  Use the guidelines  for  San Sina to draw up 

other guidelines  for support and 
recommendations  for the future  development 
of tourist centres  in the Red Sea region. 
.  Devise mechanisms  for monitoring the 

development  of San  Sina, the structuring and 
follow-up  of operations, and ensure its 
long-term  viability. 

.  Communicate the methodologies used  for 

drawing up and  implementing guidelines as 
a model  for developing tourist centres in 
other developing  countries 

Revise the training programmes; 
Train  instructors  in the new concepts of 
quality management  of services and their 
methodology; 
Produce data which can be used  by teachers 
and people professionally  engaged  in tourism. 

The main  objectives  are: 
.  to increase the number of projects based on 
energy-saving  in the MNCs concerned; 
.  to increase the cost-benefit  applications of 

new and renewable energy sources; 

.  to increase the rational and efficient  use of 
energy, taking account of the environmental 
aspects; 

.  to encourage the movement towards the use 
of new and  renewable energy sources in the 
existing energy  system; 

.  to increase the number of transnational 

projects  and programmes based on  involving 
the MNCs  in research and  innovation. 

University of 
Alexandria 
EGYPT 
Centre hautes 
Etudes 
Touristiques 
FRANCE 

University of the 
Balearic Islands 
SPAIN 
Sheffield,  Hallam 
University 
UNITED 
KINGDOM 

University of 
Provence 
FRANCE 
University of 
Ancona 
ITALY 
Mohamedia 
School of 
Engineering 
MOROCCO 
Faculty of 
Science, Semlalia 
MOROCCO 
AI. Baath 
University 
SYRIA 

73 

Project 

Objectives 

Partners 

Amount 

Unimed 

The objective  is to train  20 experts in the 
methodologies  for the planning,  reclamation 
and  protection  of the  Mediterranean  coastal 
areas.  These experts will  be able to assess the 
appropriateness  of such  measures. 

Euromed  Tourism 

The objective  of the project  is to create a 
cooperation  network  between  higher education 
institutes  in the EC and the MNCs to train 
businessmen, government  officials,  and 
university staff and students, educate them and 
make them aware of past  experiences, 
problems and solutions regarding cultural and 
ecological tourism  in the NMCs  in the long 
term. 

Total 

200 000 

Including 
EC 
120 000 

150 000 

60 000 

Epau 
ALGERIA 
University of 
Tiziouzou 
ALGERIA 
Gent  University 
BELGIUM 
Ecole Nation. 
Sup. du paysage 
FRANCE 
University of 
Rome 
ITALY 
University of 
Venice 
ITALY 
University of 
Malta 
MALTA 
Universidad 
Complutense de 
Madrid 
SPAIN 
University of 
Cyprus 
CYPRUS 
University of 
Alexandria 
EGYPT 
Università di 
Bergamo 
ITALY 
University of 
Tunis 
TUNISIA 
University of 
Surrey 
UNITED 
KINGDOM 
University of 
Wales 
UNITED 
KINGDOM 

2.2.2.2.  Tourism's contribution to the Peace Process in the Middle East 

Recognising  the role of tourism as a factor  of economic development  for the Middle East 
and  as  a  contribution  to  the  peace  process,  the  Working  Group  on  regional  economic 
development  (REDWG)  led  by  the  Commission  has  implemented  the  "Copenhagen 
Action  Plan",  which  outlines  a number  of different  projects  and  includes  tourism  among 
nine sectors of activity. 

74 

To  supervise  all  the  activities  of  the  Copenhagen  Action  Plan,  a  Monitoring  Committee 
was  created  in  May  1994  under  the  chairmanship  of  the  REDWG  gavel  holders,  with 
membership  of  the  Egyptian,  Israeli,  Jordanian  and  Palestinian  parties  and  all  other 
regional  parties  and  the  participation  of  the  co-sponsors  and  co-organisers.  One  of  the 
four  sub-committees  set  up  is  specially  designated  to  tourism.  The  Tourism  Committee, 
following  the  Casablanca  Conference,  reviewed  proposals  from  the  regional  parties  on 
the  idea  of  establishing  a  tourism  mechanism  for  the  Middle  East  such  as  a  regional 
tourism board or association  including both the public and private sectors. 

TOURISM ACTIONS IDENTIFIED UNDER THE "COPENHAGEN ACTION PLAN" 

Japan 

Japan 

Japan 

Japan 

Japan 

EC 

US 

Sponsor 

Subject 

Workshop  on  regional  co-operation  in 
tourism  (number  1) 
Workshop  on  regional  co-operation  in 
tourism  (number  2) 
Workshop  on  regional  co-operation  in 
tourism  (number  3) 
Seminar  on  policies  for  promotion  of 
small-medium  enterprises,  including  those 
related  to  tourism 
Regional joint  mission  for  marketing  the 
Middle  East 
Workshop  of  European  tour operators  and 
regional  tourism  officials 

Workshop  of American  tour operators  and 
regional  tourism  officials  in  Egypt 

Status 

6/7.2.1994 - Cairo 

27/28.11.1994 - Cairo 

28/30.3.1995 

16/29.1.1995  - Cairo 

Spring  1995 - Japan 

23/25.1.1995 - Aqaba 

28/29.1.1994 - Cairo 

Switzerland 

Feasibility  Study  on  regional  training of hotel 
and  tourism  personnel 

completed 

2.2.2.3.  Relations  with Central and Eastern European Countries 
During  1994,  PHAREl49continued  with  its  programmes  in  Tourism  Development  in 
Albania,  the  Baltic  States,  Poland  and  Romania.  These  programmes,  which  had  mostly 
been  launched  in  1992  and  1993  are  aimed  at  addressing  basic  issues  of  institutional 
structures, developing  a service  mentality  and,  enhancing  the quality  of the service.  This 
is followed  up  by promotional  campaigns.  The  programmes  vary  by country,  depending 
on local conditions and the priorities set by the governments of the partner countries. 

The total PHARE budget for  1994 was 975 MECU, bringing the total aid package since it 
began  in  1990  to  4,275  MECU.  Of  this,  the  global  amount  allocated  to  Tourism 
Development  is around  29 MECU. Albania  has received  1.2  MECU, the Baltic  States  1.8 
MECU, Bulgaria 4 MECU (1993 PHARE allocation  not disbursed  to-date due to no local 
consensus), Poland  12.5 MECU, and Romania 9,5 MECU. 

149  Council  Reg.  n°  3906/89,  OJ  L 375,  p.  11,  1989. 

75 

In  1994 programmes  continued  in the  following  countries: 

• 

Albania 

Under  the  1993  Private  Sector  Development  Programme,  PHARE  initiated  a  project 
amounting  to  1.2  MECU  for  the  development  of  small-scale  tourism  in  the  southern 
region  of  Albania.  The  projects  which  are  on-going  include  the  establishment  of  a  credit 
line  for  ECU  800,000  and  the  availability  of  technical  assistance  for  entrepreneurs  in 
order to prepare  their  loan  applications. 

• 

Baltic  States 

In  1992,  an  identification  of  tourism  development  needs  was  carried  out.  A  2-year 
programme  followed  at  the  beginning  of  1993 (1.8  MECU)  which  focused  specifically  on 
4  aspects: 

institutional  strengthening 
institutional 
framework  and  organisational  structures  (the  relevant  Ministry  is  responsible  for 
policy  making  and  the  national  tourism  administration  is in charge  of  its  operational 
implementation) 

the  appropriate 

to  establish 

in  order 

manpower  development  to  improve  the  quality  of  management  and  skills  in  the 
industry  (traimag  courses) 

product  development  to  give  direction  for  the  development  of  the  industry  (control 
of  quality  with 
licensing  and  classification  of  hotels,  restaurants  and  B&B; 
development  of regional  information  systems) 

tourism  promotion 
in  the  major  source  markets  (production  of  promotional 
brochures,  participation  in  trade  fairs,  studies  on  the  European  market  demand,  on 
the motivations  and  expenditures  of travellers  to help define  a market  strategy). 

A  second  programme  should  be  launched  by  the  end  of  1995  for  the  3  countries  (budget 
1.5  MECU  to  be take  from  1995  PHARE  funding). 

• 

Poland 

The  1992  Programme,  TOURIN  I,  expires  at  the  end  of  June  1995. The  key  elements  of 
the technical  aid  were  institutional  strengthening,  training  of sector personnel,  preparing  a 
National  Tourism  Development  Strategy,  and  running  promotional  campaigns. 

All  elements  were  basically  successful  but  owing  to  delays  in  preparing  the  strategy,  the 
promotional  campaigns  will  not  be  run  until  later  during  1995.  In  particular,  the  training 
of  sector  personnel  (both  public  and  private  sector)  and  institutional  development  have 
been  highly  valued  by  the  Polish  authorities. 

TOURIN  II,  which  came  out  of  1993  PHARE  funding,  started  activity  with  a  very 
thorough  needs  analysis  and  programme  design  phase.  TOURIN  II  has  four  main 
components:  computer  reservation  systems, road  user assistance, developing  rural  tourism 
and  implementing  the strategy  prepared  under TOURIN  I. 

The  first  two  are  highly  technical  subjects,  involving  deep  knowledge  of  computer  and 
télécoms  systems  application  to  tourism  needs.  Rural  tourism  is  a  "core"  tourism  activity 
which  has  several  sub-components  including  rural  accommodation,  activity  tourism, 
eco-tourism  and  identification  of  a  wide  range  of  related  small  infrastructure  projects. 

76 

Implementation  of  the  strategy  includes  a  major  institutional  reorganisation  at  both 
central  and  local  levels (with  establishment  of a Tourism  Board  being  planned)  and  very 
practical  action  in  several  regions  to  develop  a  series  of  tourism  products  according  to 
local conditions. 

• 

Romania 

The  first  Tourism  Assistance  Programme  for  Romania  started  in  1993  and  will  end 
mid-1995.  Its  budget  of  4.5  MECU  was  targeted  at  four  activities:  Institutional 
Development  (assistance  to the Ministry  of Tourism), Manpower  Development  (Training 
and  Re-Training),  Product  Development  (Identification  and  Positioning  of  Product)  and 
Marketing (Promotion  Material, Tourism  Fairs, Advertising Campaigns). 

A second  programme,  starting  mid-1995  and  ending  in  1996  has  been  prepared  (worth 
around  5 MECU  on  1994  PHARE  funding).  It  will  continue  to  support  the  Ministry  of 
Tourism,  but  also  include  a  number  of  decentralised,  regional  activities  such  as  the 
development of rural tourism or the strengthening private associations of entrepreneurs  in 
the tourism industry. Links will be established  with other PHARE Programmes  addressed 
to SMEs and Regional  Development. 

• 

Related A ctivity 

Tourism  is  also  addressed  through  several  PHARE  Programmes,  such  as  SME 
development,  regional  development  and  investment  attraction.  In  Hungary,  for  example, 
investment has been attracted to hotel/commercial  complex development schemes. 

As a  result  of  the  communication  process  established  between  the  Commission  and  the 
European  Bank  for  Reconstruction  and  Development,  the  support  strategy  drawn  up  for 
Tourism  in the Ukraine was able to draw on the general objectives  set out in the  Council 
Decision 92/421/EEC  intended  to achieve  balanced,  sustainable and high quality  tourism 
development. Similar consultations were held with the Baltic States and Poland. 

2.2.2.4.  Development and co-operation 

The  current  framework  for  ACP/EU  development  cooperation  is  the  Forth  Lomé 
Convention,  an  international  trade  and  aid  agreement  covering  the  period  1990-2000. 
Cooperation activities under the Convention  are financed  through  European  Development 
Fund resources as opposed  to the annual  general  budget of the EU. Cooperation  with the 
Overseas  Countries  and  Territories  is  covered  by  parallel  provisions  in  the  Council 
Decision of July 1991. 

Tourism presents a considerable challenge  within the framework  of development  because 
of  the  poor  co-ordination  of  the  industry,  its  fragmentary  and  disparate  nature  and  a 
complex array of economic, social and cultural impacts. 

The  industry  can  contribute  substantially  to  economic  development  but,  if  allowed  to 
grow  unchecked  in  developing  regions,  it  also  has  the  potential  for  causing  lasting 
damage.  In  order  to  ensure  that  it  acts  as  a  positive  factor  in  economic  development, 
therefore,  particular  attention  needs  to  be  paid  to  the  manner  in  which  tourism  is 
developed and  promoted  in these regions. 

77 

The  fourth  Lomé  Convention  recognises  the  importance  of  the  sector  by  dedicating  a 
separate  chapter  to  tourism.  Articles  121  and  122  encompass  provisions  relating  to  the 
four  main  areas  of  sector  support:  human  resources  and  institutional  development, 
product  development,  market  development  and  tools  to  monitor  and  encourage  sector 
development  in the  form  of research  and  information. 

Moreover  tourism  is  covered  by  Article  138, which  provides  for  operations  of  a  regional 
character  in  trade  and  services,  and  is  among  the  sectors  qualifying  for  support  from  the 
EIB  for  productive  programmes  and  projects.  Lastly,  a joint  declaration  calls  for  greater 
emphasis  to be placed  on  the development  of trade and  services  including  tourism150. 

Though  not  a  priority  in  all  ACP  States,  for  an  increasing  number,  it  has  become  one  of 
the  most  important  sources  of  foreign  exchange  and  employment.  For  countries  which 
have  little  or  no  industrial  base,  a  bias  towards  primary  commodity  production  and 
limited  potential  for  diversification  or  development  in  other  areas,  but  which  enjoy 
comparative  advantage  due  to  location,  climate,  landscape,  natural  or  man-made  assets, 
and  a relatively  cheap  labour  force,  there  is  usually  a case  to  be  made  for  some  degree  of 
tourism  development. 

Under  Lomé  IV, sector  support  led  to  the  creation  of fully  integrated  tourism  programmes 
in the  Caribbean,  the  Pacific  and  in  the  Indian  Ocean  where  they  also  have  a  part  to  play 
in  fostering  regional  co-operation  and  integration.  They  all  aim  to  achieve  a  long-term 
sustainable  growth  in  tourist  arrivals  from  Europe  and  other  markets.  The  provision  of 
resources  to  pump-prime  tour  operator  and  other  market-based  activity  is  complemented 
by  assistance  with  policy  formulation,  tourism  education  and  training,  research  and 
statistics.  Tourism  fair  participation,  previously  funded  separately,  are  now  an  integral 
part  of  this  latest  generation  of  programmes.  Activities  in  Africa  are  not  yet  of  a 
comparable  scale. 

The  measures  undertaken  in  1990-1994  are  set  out  in  Annex  9  and  show  that  the 
combined  commitment  appropriation  for  this  period  totals  78.026  MECU. 

3. 

TOURISM  RESOURCES 

3.1. 

ARCHITECTURAL 

AND  CUL  TURAL  HÉRITA  GE 

Cultural  tourism  in  Europe  is  a  significant  aspect  of  the  tourism  product  on  offer.  It 
demands  that  consideration  be  given  to  the various  dimensions  (social,  economic,  cultural 
and  ecological)  of  its  development.  Increasing  concern  about  the  effects  of  visitor 
pressures  on  historical  city  centres  which  in  turn  has  an  impact  on  urban  development, 
prompted  increasing  attention  to  be  given  to  the  need  to  implement  measures  concerned 
with  visitor  management. 

Despite  a growth  in the development  of cultural  tourism  policy  and  increasing  recognition 
of  its economic  and  social  significance,  there  is  currently  no  comprehensive  treatment  of 
the  subject  available.  Previous  work  has  to  a  large  extent  tended  to  emphasise  either  the 
tourism  or  the  cultural  aspects  of  the  issue,  but  rarely  are  both  treated  together  using  an 

150  see  Annex  XX  of  the  Lome Convention. 

78 

integrated  approach.  However,  some  proposals  currently  being  developed  offer  scope  for 
at  least  greater  complementarity  in  the  development  of  the  two  issues  (culture  and 
tourism). 

3.1.1.  Cultural  Actions 

Following  on  from  Antwerp  in  1993,  Lisbon  was  the  nominated  City  of  Culture  in  1994. 
Thus  making  it  the  venue  for  cultural  events  and  cultural  interchanges  between  the 
peoples  of  Europe. 

The  1994  programme  'Kaleidoscope  Scheme'  was  launched  on  17.8.1994151  to  provide 
funding  for  projects  concerning  cultural  actions  and  events  in  either  the  performing  arts, 
visual  arts,  applied  arts,  multimedia  arts,  books  and  reading,  architecture,  movable  and 
immovable  heritage,  and  history.  Of  the  1000  projects  submitted  to  this  programme  in 
1993,  100  were  selected 
for 
implementation  in  1994 with  co-funding  limited  to 25%. 

in  March  1994  by  means  of  an 

independent  jury 

The  arts occupy  a  very  unique  place  in  European  culture,  not just  in  terms  of heritage  but 
also  in  term  of  live  popular  culture.  They  represent  very  often  a  major  tourism  attraction 
and  also  involve  a  heavy  infrastructure  to  support  them.  Keeping  this  culture  alive  and 
preserved  is  important  not  only  for  the  cultural  well-being  of  the  peoples  of  Europe  but 
also as an  important  aspect  of  Europe's  tourism  infrastructure. 

In the field  of culture, two proposals  for  European  Parliament  and  Council  decisions  were 
developed  in  1994:  Kaleidoscope  2000'32,  a  support  programme  for  artistic  and  cultural 
projects  with  a  European  dimension  (Annex  10);  and  a  proposal  for  a  programme  of 
support  for  the cultural  heritage  of Europe  "Raphael". 

3.1.2. 

Safeguarding  Architectural  Heritage 

Community  action  to  protect  the  cultural  and  architectural  heritage  continued  to  be 
developed  on  the  basis  of  the  Council  Resolution  of  13.11.1986  on  the  protection  of 
Europe's  architectural  heritage133  enhanced  by  the  provision  of  Article  128  on  Culture  in 
the Treaty  on  European  Union154. 

Action  supported  in  1994 were  as  follows: 

1 
2 

3 
4 
5 

Pilot  projects 
Symbolic Action 

Grants for  Studies 
Awareness actions 
European  Heritage 
Campuses 
Total  for  1994 

ECU 
ECU 
ECU 
ECU 
ECU 
ECU 
ECU 

4.095,000 
400,000 
300,000 
250,000 
400,000 
1.500,000 
250,000 

ECU 

7,195,000 

Acropolis 
Athos 
Chiado 

151  OJC  227/12,  17.8.1994. 
152  COM(94)  356  final  Brussels  27.7.1994  (94/0188(COD). 
153  OJC  320/1,  13.12.1986. 
154  Research  technologies  which  are  complementary  to these  actions  have  been  developed  within the 
framework  of the  Research  and  Technological  Programmes  (see  Annex  11)  for  the  environmental 
protection  and  conservation  of European  cultural  heritage. 

79 

Pilot Projects 

In  providing  support  for  pilot  projects  intended  for  the  preservation  of  European 
Architectural  Heritage,  a  different  architectural  theme  is  selected  each  year  by  the 
Cultural  Affairs  Committee.  In  1994, financial  support  was provided  for 61 pilot  projects 
(from  a  total  of  537  submissions)  to  preserve  historic  buildings  and  sites  related  to 
entertainment  and  the  performing  arts'53.  The call  for  proposals  published  in the  Official 
Journal  sets  out  the  selection  criteria  and  selection  is  made  by  a jury  of  independent 
experts.  The  projects  that  receive  support  are  required  to  submit  to  the  Commission  an 
activity report on the process and completion of the restoration and conservation works. 

A report on the projects  of  1993, whose theme was " Gardens of Historic  Interest"  is due 
to  be  ready  by  Spring  1995.  The  report  should  give  a  social  and  economic  impact 
assessment  of  the  results  of  the  projects.  In  1994, an  employment  survey  conducted  on 
the  66  pilot  projects  supported  in  1993, revealed  that  1074 jobs  had  been  created  as  a 
result of these projects. 

Symbolic Actions 

Since  1983  the  Community  has  been  supporting  restoration  and  conservation  work  on 
European monuments and sites of great historic importance, namely the Acropolis and the 
Monasteries  on  Mount  Athos  in  Greece  and  the  Chiado  District  of  Lisbon,  all  of  which 
are important tourist attractions. The managers of these projects report to the Commission 
on an annual basis on their activities. 

Grants for  Further Studies in Conservation and Restoration 

Preservation and conservation  of the architectural  and cultural  heritage requires  specialist 
training in the field.  Thus the EC has granted  subsidies to seven conservation  institutes in 
the  from  of  grants  for  further  training  of  architects,  archaeologists,  art  historians,  town 
planners and  craftsmen. 

Awareness Actions 

In order  to  heighten  awareness  of  the  problems  involved  in the  cultural  heritage  and  the 
response to these  problems  being  made by the  Commission,  support  is given  for  a series 
of  exhibitions,  seminars  and  conferences.  In  addition,  every  two  years  a  block  grant  is 
made  for  a  European  Architecture  Prize  -  Mies  Van  Der  Rohe  -  for  outstanding 
contemporary  architecture.  The  Mies  Van  Der  Rohe  Foundation  manages  the award  and 
the prize winner is selected by an independent jury. 

Raphaël 

On  the  basis  of  a  request  from  the  Council,  the  Commission  prepared  a  proposal  for  a 
Decision  concerning  a  third  Community  cultural  action,  the  Raphaël  programme  to 
promote  and  support  the  Member  States'  actions  in  favour  of  cultural  heritage  and  the 
dissemination  of  knowledge  of  the  culture  of  the  peoples  of  Europe.  With  a  proposed 
budget  of 67  MECU, the  5 year  action  programme  is intended  to provide  incentives  and 
stimuli. While paying heed to the principle of subsidiarity,  Raphaël will provide  financial 
support  for  approximately  300  innovative  cultural  projects  with  a  European  Dimension 

155  OJC  283/7,  11.10.1994. 

80 

covering  all  the  heritage  disciplines  and  based  on  genuine  European  co-operation.  The 
five  main areas  identified  for  action  in the programme  are spreading  the cultural  heritage 
in  Europe,  development  of  networks  and  partnerships,  access  to  heritage,  research  and 
specialist  training  for  professionals  in  the  sectors  and  co-operation  with  third  countries 
and  international  organisations  (Annex  12).  Given  that  European  tourism  is  largely 
dependent  on  both  the natural  and  cultural  heritage,  it  is expected  that this programme  if 
adopted will have a major  complementary  impact on the development of cultural  tourism. 

3.2. 

NA  TURAL  &  BUILT 

ENVIRONMENT 

Article 2 of the Treaty  on  European  Union  refers  to the promotion  of a "harmonious  and 
balanced  development  of  economic  activities,  sustainable  and  non-inflationary  growth 
respecting  the  environment".  The  preservation  and  strengthening  of  the  quality  of  the 
natural  and  built  environment  is  a  prerequisite  for  all  successful  tourism  development. 
Tourism  is  influenced  by  its environment  and  the environment  is  influenced  by  tourism. 
A concerted  and  co-ordinated  Community  action  is, therefore,  needed  in  order  to  obtain 
the  benefits  of  sustainable  tourism  development  in  Europe.  Setting  sustainable  tourism 
development  as  one  of  its  targets,  the  Commission  has  developed  action  originated  in 
environmental  legislation,  based  on  the  Fifth  Environmental  Action  Programme  and 
supported  through  certain  Community 
instruments.  More 
intensive  action  is,  however,  needed  in  many  areas,  especially  in  order  to  examine  and 
analyse better the consequences of tourism upon the natural and built environment  and to 
find the correct equilibrium  between sustainability  and tourism  development. 

initiatives  and  financial 

3.2.1.  Spatial Planning and  Environment 

The  Council  on  Spatial  Planning  (Leipzig  21.9.1994)  proposed  that  a  European Spatial 
Development  Perspective  (ESDP)  should  be  developed  by  the  Commission.  This 
perspective  should  be  a  "framework  for  reflection"  for  Member  States,  examining  the 
interdependence  between  environment,  land  use and  spatial  planning  and  identifying  the 
territorial  implications  for  two  basic  objectives  of  the  EU:  economic  &  social  cohesion 
and  sustainable  development.  The  ESDP  concept  is  important  for  the  future  of  tourism 
development  and  is  related  to  the  new  mid-  and  long-term  land-planning  in  Europe, 
setting the general framework  for the balanced development of the Union's territory156. 

3.2.2.  Towards  Sustainability 

into 

requirements 

the  definition  and 
Integration  of  environmental  protection 
implementation  of  Community  policies  is  the  key  principle  of  the  Fifth  Community 
Action  Programme  on  the  Environment  "Towards  Sustainability"^''.  In  particular,  it 
permeates the activities of the Commission,  which has drawn  up a series of internal  rules 
to  ensure  that  the  environment  is  taken  into  account  at  the  earliest  possible  stage  when 
legislative or other measures  are being drawn  up. An important  aspect  of the  programme 
has  been  the  introduction  of  "the polluter  pays"  principle  aiming  to  establish  a  better 
balance  between  various  activities  and  environmental  protection.  Tourism  is one  of  the 
priority  areas  of  this  action  programme158.  Chapter  16  of  the  Fifth  Action  Programme 
calls for a review during  1995 in the light of new scientific  data and  major  reviews of EU 

156  "Europe  2000  4-  - cooperation  for  spatial  planning  in  Europe"  ISBN  92-826-9098-9  OPCOE. 
157  COM(92)  23  final,  27.3.1992,  Vols.  1-3. 
158  Sec  also  COM(94)  74  of  6.4.1994,  Chapter  III-10. 

81 

policies  on  industry,  energy,  transport,  agriculture  and  structural  funds.  The  reviewed 
programme  will  run  during  the  period  1996-2000  with  the  aim  to  fully  accomplish  the 
targets  set  during  the  previous  years.  The  products  envisaged  during  the  programme's 
review  are: 

1 ) 

2) 

3) 

The  report  Updated  State  of  the  Environment, 
to  be  presented  to  the  European 
Parliament  and  the  Council  planned  and  published  during  the  second  semester  of 
1995 by  the  Environment  Agency,  now  situated  in  Copenhagen. 

The Second  Progress  Report  on  the  Implementation  of  the  Fifth  Action  Programme 
also to be available  at  the  same  period. 

The  Mid-term  review  document,  highlighting  the  political  message  and  presenting 
the  conclusions  to  be  drawn  from 
the  review  process,  the  above  mentioned 
documents  and  other  relevant  material. 

3.2.3.  Environmental  Legislation 

Current  environmental  legislation  is  comprehensively  presented  in  the  last  year's  report 
"on  Community  measures  affecting  tourism"159.  The  more  important  1994  developments 
are presented  hereafter: 

Bathing  Water 

Following  the  results  of  the  Edinburgh  European  Council,  the  Commission  proposed160 
the  revision  of  the  Bathing  Water  Directive161  of  1976  in  order  to  better  adapt  it  to  the 
present  technical  and  scientific  knowledge  and  apply  the  principle  of  subsidiarity.  The 
proposed  revision  to  the  Directive  will  not  significantly  change  the  impact  of the  existing 
Directive  on  small  and  medium  sized  enterprises.  Like  the  existing  measure,  the  revised 
Directive  will  also  improve  the  environment  in  which  they  operate,  assuring,  thus,  a 
long-term  and  sustainable  development  for  them. 

Coastal  zones  management 

As  is  the  case  with  urban  environment  and  noise,  the  competence  for  the  coastal  zone 
issue  in the  first  instance  lies  with  local  and  regional  authorities,  in particular  with  regard 
to  land  use planning  and  policies  to  attract  economic  activity  in  these  very  fragile  zones. 
However,  the  economic  future  and  the  environmental  quality  of  coastal  regions  are 
inseparably  linked.  While  environmental  assessment  for  projects  is  becoming  established 
through 
legislation;  consideration  of 
environmental  impacts  is often  insufficient. 

the  application  of  national  and  European 

There  is  a  need  for  more  communication;  exchange  of  information  and  coordination  at 
local  and  regional  level  and  the  creation  of  fora  that  work  across  existing  divisions  of 
competence.  The  Commission  is  working  on  a  Communication  and  a  demonstration 
programme  on  how  to ensure  integrated  management  of coastal  zones. 

159  COM(94)  74  final  of  6.4.1994. 
160  COM(94)  36  final,  of  16.2.1994. 
161  OJ  L 31, of  5.2.1976. 

82 

Environmental 

Impact  Assessment 

(E.I.A.) 

The  E.I.A.  directive162  strongly  affects  the  development  of  infrastructure  in  many  tourism 
areas,  introducing  a  set  of  criteria  for  the  assessment  of  the  impact  of  various  projects  to 
the  environment.  In  April  1994  the  Commission  put  forward  a  "proposal  for  a  Council 
Directive  amending  Directive  85/337/EEC  on  the  assessment  of  the  effects  of  certain 
public  and  private  projects  on  the  environment"163.  According  to  the  proposal,  tourism 
and  leisure  (point  1 la  of the  proposal)  have  been  considered  as areas  of  application  of  the 
new directive,  focusing  on: 

"(a)  Ski-runs, bob  sleigh  tracks  and  ski-lifts  and  artificial  snow  installations. 

(b) Golf courses  and  associated  developments. 

(c) Marinas. 

(d) Holiday  villages, hotel  complexes  and  associated  developments. 

(e) Camp  sites  and  caravan  sites. 

(f)  Leisure  centres"164. 

The  Commission  has  arranged  for  the  production  of  documents  and  reports  concerning 
the  EIA  Directive.  One  of  them;  the  "EIA  Review  Checklist"  aims  to  provide  practical 
assistance 
the  competent 
authorities. Two  more  documents  addressing  the  screening  and  scooping  stage  of the  EIA 
process  will  be published  soon. 

reviewing  environmental 

information 

submitted 

for 

to 

Moreover,  work  has  started  for  the  presentation  of  a proposal  for  a  Council  Directive  on 
the  "Strategic  Environmental  Assessment"  which  is  expected  to  be  ready  by  the  end  of 
1995. 

Ecolabels. 

is  a 

identifying 

to  a  product 

label  awarded 

An  ecolabel165 
its  environmental 
characteristics.  The  eco-labelled  product  has  a  less  harmful  effect  on  the  environment 
than  other  competing  products  in  the  same  category,  but  is  as  good  in  terms  of 
performance.  The  Eco-label  Award  Scheme166  gives  the  opportunity  to  a  variety  of 
product  manufacturers  to  apply  for  the  use  of  a  special  logo  to  distinguish  their  products 
as  less  environmentally  damaging  products.  The  eco-label  regulation  covers  products 
such  as  detergents  and  does  not  cover  services  such  as  tourism.  An  expert  group,  led  by 
the  Greek  Eco-Labelling  Competent  Body  in  co-operation  with  their  French  counterpart, 
was  set  up  under  the  1994  Greek  presidency  of  Council,  with  the  support  of  the 
Commission,  in  order  to  examine  the  possibilities  of  establishing  an  ecolabel  for  tourist 
services.  The  Greek  Eco-Labelling  Competent  Body  will  present  the  conclusions  of  the 
work  in  1996  with  any  recommendations  to  adapt  the  Regulation  in  order  to  include 
services  for  eco-labels.  A  review  of the  Eco-label  regulation  is planned  for  1997. 

162  OJ L  175,  of  5.7.1985. 
163  OJC  130, of  12.5.1994. 
164  OJ C  130,  of  12.5.1994. 
165  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  N° 880/92  of  23.3.1992.. 

Commission  Decision  of  13.5.1993,  establishing  indicative  guidelines  for  the  fixing  of  costs  and 
fees  in connection  with  the  Community  eco-label. 

166  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  N°  880/92  of  23.3.1992. 

83 

3.2.4.  Urban  Environment 

The  urban  environment  was  examined  in  the  Commission's  Green  Paper  of  1990.  As  a 
follow  up to the Green  Paper ton  Urban  Environment167,  the Commission  is supporting  a 
European  Sustainable Cities Project, co-ordinated  by a group of experts from  the Member 
States and which will produce a report and recommendations at the end of  1995. A part of 
this report  will  examine  the quality  of  the  built  environment,  examining  the  relationship 
of activities related to tourism and leisure to cultural heritage and historic centres. 

3.2.5.  Financial Support to Environmental  Projects 

Cohesion Fund16* 

This  is a new  fund  established  by the  Maastricht  Treaty  on the European  Union  in order 
to complement  the Structural  Funds for the period  1994-1999 with a total budget of  13.6 
billion  ECU.  The  aim  of  the  Cohesion  Fund  is  to  support  large  projects  in  Objective  1 
regions of the Union in the fields  of the environment  and of transport  infrastructure.  Both 
fields are closely related to tourism. 

LIFE  169 

Through  LIFE,  a total  of  400  million  ECU  should  be allocated  until  the end  of  1995  to 
projects  following  specific  priorities.  One  of  the  selected  socio-economic  priority  for 
1994  was  tourism  focusing  on  demonstration  actions  relating  to  "the  promotion  of 
sustainable  tourism  as  well  as  to  the  implementation  of  new  concepts  which  draw 
particular  attention  to  respecting  of  the  natural  environment"170.  Within  this  framework, 
LIFE '94 has provided  financial  support  for  eighteen projects  from  seven  Member  States 
(Annex  13). 

A first  LIFE progress report was presented to the Council and the European Parliament in 
1994,  including  an  evaluation  of  the  impact  of  all  past  environmental  financial 
instruments  such  as  ACE,  MEDSPA,  NORSPA  and  ACNAT.  A  proposal  for  a  new 
Council  Regulation,  modifying  the  LIFE  Regulation,  is  expected  to  be  adopted  by  the 
Commission during 1995. 

167  Document  EUR  12902,  of  1990. 
168  See  also  Chapter  "Economic  &  Social  Cohesion"  of  this  report. 
169  OJ  L  206,  of  22.7.1992. 
170  O JC  270,  of  6.10.1993. 

84 

En vironmental A wareness Raising 

In  relation  to  coastal  zones  and  tourism,  seven  pilot  demonstration  projects  were 
supported  by  the  Commission  during  1994,  related  to  information  provision  and 
awareness raising. Financial  support totalling 650,000 ECU has been committed for these 
projects, representing an average of 47% of the total projects' proposed budget (see table 
1994 Projects on Environmental  Awareness Raising). 

1994 PROJECTS  ON ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS  RAISING 

O R G A N I S A T I ON 

B E N E F I C I A RY 

T I T LE  A ND  DESCRIPTION  OF  PROJECT 

EURONATUR 

EURONATUR 

EUROPEAN 
UNION  FOR 
COASTAL 
CONSERVATION 
(EUCC) 

EUROPEAN 
CENTRE  FOR 
ECO  AGRO 
TOURISM 

Former  Eastern 
bloc 

D,  1. E, GR, 
Former  Eastern 
bloc 

NL, GR, P 

"The  environment  in  Europe" - CEEC campaign on the 
integration  of the environment  into agriculture  and 
tourism (congresscs-seminars-newsletters,  brochures) 

"Eco-lslands: sustainable  &  environmentally  friendly 
development  of  islands regions, with an emphasis on soft 
tourism"  (tourism  pilot  project) 

"European  regions  for  a safe and clean coast":  network, 
workshops  and conference  to raise awareness of  the 
problems of coastal and marine  pollution ( local and 
regional  authorities, NGOs,  industry) 

Former  Eastern 
bloc 

"Sustainable  tourism on ecological  farms (STEF)"  -
creation of network  of ecological  farms open to tourists  in 
the CEEC  with  F,  P, GR. Training and awareness 
campaigns. 

COASTWATCH 
EUROPE 

IRL,  1,  GR,  B,  E, 
P, F, UK,  DK. 

CRETES 

F, P, E 

FRIENDS  OF  THE 
EARTH 

MED 

"Environmental  information  and training pyramid" -
production  of documentation  of a set of  environmental 
information  and training modules, especially  in the 
tourism  sector. 

"Karst  Mediterranean  meetings  " - pilot  project 
consisting of 3 awareness seminars  for tour operators. 

"Mediterranean  concerted action plan with the tourism 
industry  and local  authorities" 

A M O U NT 
COFINANCED 
(ECU) 

%  OF  T O T AL 
C O F I N A N C ED 

101 548 

47.5 

102 235 

92 421 

51 

47 

99 968 

43 

79 003 

50.5 

84 765 

90 000 

50 

40 

3.2.6.  Energy Policies that have an effect  on the Tourist Environment 

Within the framework  of the  Energy  policy,  specific  programmes such as THERMIE171, 
SAVE172  and  ALTENER173,  provide  financial  support  to  innovative  projects  aiming  to 
develop alternative and/or renewable soft energy, reducing the consumption of traditional 
energy,  producing  "green"  forms  of  energy  and  contributing,  thus,  to  environmental 
protection. 

Some  of  the  projects  supported  by  the  Commission  in  1994  have  a  direct  benefit 
relationship to tourism and its relevant sectors. However, the extent of this benefit  is not 
always  possible  to  be  clearly  identified,  since  the  relationship  between  tourism  and 
energy  is often  an  indirect  one  (Annex  13) Areas  where energy  policies  may  effect  the 
tourist environment include, 

the  indirect  effects  of  energy  prices,  like  electricity  (air conditioning),  heating  or 
fuels (transport); 

the direct negative effects  to the environment of the use of energy, which indirectly 

171  OJ L  185,  of  17.7.1990. 
172  OJ  L 307, of  8.11.1991. 
173  OJ L 235, of  18.9.1993. 

85 

affect  the promotion of tourism  in certain areas; 

the direct  effect  of the construction  of electricity  cable and  in general  of all  energy 
networks  on  the  natural  and  historic  landscape,  which  again  indirectly  also  affects 
tourism; 

investment  in new energy  technologies; mainly to rationalise the use of energy, has 
direct  beneficial  effects  on  environment  and  so  indirectly  on  tourism.  Tourism 
could be a very good  way to influence  the increase and development  of  investments 
in new clean energy  technologies. 

* 

* 

The  way  in  which  tourism  intervenes  either  directly  or  as  a  tool  for  other  Community 
policies  is constantly  under  review.  As already  stated and demonstrated  in this report, to 
achieve  a global  approach  to  tourism  interventions,  greater  emphasis  must  be  placed  on 
co-operation and co-ordination. 

Aside from  the concrete  results being achieved174, the Council  Decision on a  Community 
Action  Plan to Assist  Tourism,  if only  in the short  and  medium  term, has already  served 
to highlight this need. 

A  long-term  strategy  is  of  major  interest.  Such  a  strategy,  building  on  the  current 
achievements and improved co-operation and co-ordination: 

offers  a means to a more rational approach at the European Union level; 

would  help  to  ensure  that  the  conditions  necessary  for  the  competitiveness  of  the 
Community's tourist  industry are  fulfilled; 

could  permit  a  more  targeted  use  of  the  various  Community  measures  by  the 
Member States to improve their own tourism  development. 

174  The  preparatory  work  for  the  report  on  the  evaluation  of  the results of  the  Action  Plan  (Article  6 of 

the Council  Decision)  started  in  1994. 

86 

ANNEXES 

8* 

ANNEX  1  SHARE  OF  EACH  REGION'S  INTERNATIONAL  TOURIST  ARRIVALS  AND 

RECEIPTS WORLD-WIDE,  1960  -  1994  (IN  %) 

I960 

1970 

1980 

1990 

1994 

AFRICA 
Arrivals 
Receipts 
AMERICAS 
Arrivals 
Receipts 

EAST ASIA/PACIFIC 

Arrivals 
Receipts 

SOUTH ASIA 

Arrivals 
Receipts 
EUROPE 
Arrivals 
Receipts 

MIDDLE EAST 

Arrivals 
Receipts 

1.1 
2.6 

24.1 
35.7 

1.0 
2.9 

0.3 
0.5 

72.5 
56.8 

1.0 
1.5 

1.3 
2.2 

23.0 
26.8 

3.0 
6.1 

0.6 
0.6 

70.5 
62.0 

1.4 
2.3 

2.6 
2.6 

21.6 
24.6 

7.4 
8.4 

0.8 
1.5 

65.6 
59.5 

2.1 
3.4 

2.0 

20.6 
26.6 

11.6 
14.9 

0.7 
0.8 

62.1 
53.8 

1.7 
2.0 

3.4 
1.9 

20.3 
18.8 

14.0 
17.5 

0.7 
0.7 

60.1 
50.0 

1.5 
1.1 

Source : "Tourism  Market Trends  Europe", World Tourism  Organisation  (WTO),  1985-1994 

TOURIST ARRIVALS:  REGIONAL GROWTH  RATES  1990-2000 

WORLD 

MIDDLE EAST 

AMERICAS 

AFRICA 

SOUTH ASIA 

EAST 
ASIA/PACIFIC 

Source: "Tourism  in  1994-Highlights", WTO 

89 

ANNEX 

2 

IMPLEMENTATION  OF  C O U N C IL  DECISION  92/421/EEC  OF  13.7.1992  ON 

A C O M M U N I TY  A C T I ON  PLAN  TO  ASSIST TOURISM  -1994  BUDGET 

Unit: ECU 

31.12.1994 

RESOURCES  1994 

Appropriation  1994 

EEA contribution  1994 

Carried over from  1994 

Total available  in  1994 

6 000 000 

566 400 

0 

6 566 400 

EXPENDITURE  1994 (COMMITMENT  APPROPRIATIONS) 

Actions 

Budget approved by the 
Management Committee for 
1994 

1. 

Information/cohesion: 

a)  Development of Community  statistics on tourism 

b)  Studies/Guides: 

- production 

- dissemination 

2.  Staggering of holidays 

3.  Transnational  actions: 

-  European  Union 

-  CEEC / Maghreb 

4.  Consumers 

5.  Cultural  tourism 

6.  Tourism  and  environment 

7.  Rural  tourism 

8.  Social tourism 

9.  Youth  tourism 

10.  Training  and  education 

11.  Promotion  in  non-Community  countries 

Other 

Uncommitted  balance 

Total expenditure  1994 

Carried  over  to  1995 = Establishment  of tourism  statistics 

Total expenditure  (Commitment  appropriations) 

91 

416 233 

725 600 

145 054 

122 257 

129 000 

61  100 

160 610 

1  093 863 

390 540 

43 200 

0 

167 615 

1258 813 

0 

199 503 

153 012 

5 066 400 

1  500 000 

6 566 400 

ANNEX3 

IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THE  COUNCIL  DECISION  92/421/EEC  ON  A 
COMMUNITY  ACTION  PLAN  TO ASSIST TOURISM  -  DETAILED  SECTORIAL 
PRESENTATION  OF STUDIES,  GUIDES AND PROJECTS,  1994 

S T U D I E S / G U I D ES 

COUNTRY 

ORGANISATION 

| 

TOPIC 

Portugal 

Arthur Andersen & Co., s.a.s. 

France 

Horwath  France S.A. 

Yield Management in Small and 
Medium Sized Enterprises in the 
Tourism Industry. 
Business and Conference Tourism in 
EEA. 
Practical Guide for  Tourists. 

Movimento Consumatori  (Associazione 
Autonoma  Senza  Fini di  Lucro) 

Centro Turistico Studentesco e Giovanile  Youth lourismfOspitiamo I'Europa). 
(C.T.S.) 

CULTURAL  TOURISM 

Italy 

Italy 

Involved 
countries175 

A, D, CZ 

D, B, F, L 

Name of lead  partner 

Title of  Project 

Gemeinniltziger Verein zur Fôrderung 
der  Region  Sandl - Unteres Miihlviertel 
Naturfreunde  Saarland e.V. 

Glas als kulturtouristische Attraktion: 

lndustriekulturwege in 
Saar-Lor-Al-Lux / Netzwerk 
Europaische Kultur der Arbeit 
(NEKTAR) 

Potential of Using New Technology in 
Cultural Tourism 
Art Cities in Europe 

European Cities within Reach 
Minderheiten, Volksgruppen und 
Kulturtourismus 
Routes to the Roots 

Alliance des Réseaux d'Information et 
d'Expériences en Europe 
BTC Cultural Tourism Project 
Itinerari mozarliani in Europa 
Culture-Historical Cruises in the Baltic 

N, UK, FIN 

SYGNA A/S 

Fédération des Offices  du Tourisme des 
A, B, DK, F, D, 
UK, L, NL, P, E,  Villes Européennes (FOTVE /  FECTO) 
CH 
UK, F, I, S 
D, NL, A 

Royal National  Institute for the Blind 
BC Brandenburg-Consult  GmbH 

Forschungsstelle Niedersachsische 

D, UK, IR, GR, 
N, NL, DK, FIN,  Auswanderer  in den  USA, Universitât 
S, IS 
S, I, D, F, UK 

Oldenburg 
Agence  Européenne pour  la Culture 

S, DK, D, N, FIN  Baltic Tourism Co-operation 
I, A, CR 
DK, D, S, N, 
PL, EST 

II Quartettone 
Fonden  FYN.TOUR 

^_ 

175  Initials  for  European  countries:  A:  Austria,  B: Belgium,  CH:  Switzerland,  CZ:  Czech  Republic,  D: 
Germany,  DK:  Denmark,  E:  Spain,  F:  France,  FIN:  Finland,  GR:  Greece,  I:  Italy,  IR:  Ireland,  IS: 
Island,  L:Luxemburg,  N:  Norway,  NL:  Netherlands,  PL:  Poland,  S:  Sweden,  UK:  United 
Kingdom. 

93 

TOURISM  EDUCATION  &  TRAINING 

Involved 
countries 

Name  of  lead  partner 

Title  of  Project 

E,  P,  NL,  I,  D, 
GR,  A 

Fondo  Iberico  para  la Conservacion  de  la 
Naturaleza  (member  of  ECOTRANS) 

F,  GR,  I 

F,IRL,  P 

E,  UK,  NL 

Association  Réunionaise 
Interprofessionelle  pour  l'Insertion  et  la 
Formation  Continue  (A.R.l.F.O.C) 

Universidad  de  Deusto-Bilbao  (membre 
ATLAS) 

GR,  UK,  (USA) 

Effective  Management  International 
(EMI) 

Greta  du  Golfe  (membre:  Arc  Atlantique)  Assistant  Technique  du  Tourisme 

Sustainable  Tourism  in  practice. 
Environmental  protection 
Training  programme  for 
employees 

in  Tourism: 
tourism 

L'agrotourisme  de  qualité  dans  les  "des 

European  Education  &  Training 
Initiative  in Sustainable  Tourism 
Management 

Familiarisation  of young  people  in 
Greece  with  careers  in tourism:  An 
Anglo-Greek 

comparison 

GR,  F,  E,  P 

A,  I,  F 

Centre  méditerranéen  de  l'Environnement  Création  et développement  d'un  réseau 
d'Athènes 

de  campus  européens  du  tourisme 

Institute  of  tourism  and  service 
economics  (ITD)  University  of  Innsbruck  Markets for  Systems  of Education  of 

Impact  & challenges  of  Future  Labour 

A ustria,  Italy  &  France 

UK,  GR,  I,  ES,  D,  Lancashire  Enterprises  (COAST  network  Development  &  Transfer  of  Training 
Methodologies  for  SMEs  and  Young 
F 
People  in the  Tourism  Sector 

funded  previously  by  RECITE) 

I,  ES, GR 

Consorzio  Civita 

DK,  D, NL,  UK 

Hjoerring  Business  College/Training 
Center 

Le  nuove  professionalità  nel  settore 
turistico 

Development  of a training  strategy  for 
employees  and  trainers  within  the 
tourism  sector  in the  cold  water  regions 
around  the  North  Sea 

TRANS-NATIONAL  ACTIONS 

Involved 
countries 

Name  of  lead  partner 

Title  of  Project 

NL,  C E EC 

ATLAS-Department  Of  Leisure  Studies 

Conference  on  transferring  Skills  and 
know-how  to  Central  and  Eastern 
Europe 

IRL,  CR 

Concorde  Travel 

Youth  Travel  in  Central  Europe 

94 

TOURISM  AND  THE  ENVIRONMENT 

Involved 
countries 

Name of lead  partner 

Title of  Project 

D, EEA 

AFI-Alpenforschungsinstitut  GmbH 

1TB Berlin 1995 - European Day 
"Tourism & Environment" 

Earthwatch 
Prix Tourisme et  Environnement 

OTHER 

Involved 
countries 

Name of lead  partner 

Title of  Project 

UK, EU 

European  Tour Operators Association 

EU 

F 

European  Travel Commission 

Ministère de l'Equipement,  des 
Transports et du Tourisme 

Market Research Study (Promotion of 
Europe in Third Markets) 
European Youth Travel Market Survey 
(Youth Tourism) 
Conférence Européenne: 
Tourisme - Emploi - Formation (held in 
1995 under the French Presidency) 

STATISTICS 

Involved 
countries 

Technical  Assistance 

Title of  Project 

EEA 

Gruppo Clas Sri 

Tourism Statistics 

95 

ANNEX  4  VAT RATES IN THE HORECA SECTOR 

jliglgiSjiggliig^g^;^-^:^; 

Accommodation  in 
a  Hotel 

Catering  services 

Bars et  Cafés 

Shop-purchased  food  and  beverages 

Standard 

Luxury 

Standard 

Luxury 

Takeaway 

Delivered 

Alcoholic 
beverages 

Standard 

Luxury 

disco 

Alcoholic 
beverages 

Food 

Belgium 
Denmark 
France 
Germany 
G recce 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
Spain 
United 
Kingdom 
Austria 
Finland 
Sweden 

6% 
25% 
5.5% 
15% 
8% 
12.5% 
10% 
3% 
6% 
5% 
7% 
17.5% 

10% 
6% 
25% 

20,5% 
25% 
18.6% 
15% 
8% 
12.5% 
10% 
3% 
6% 
17% 
7% 
17.5% 

10% 
22% 
21% 

18% 

19% 

20% 

5.5% 
7% 

7% 

•17.5% 

17.5% 

20,5% 
25% 
18.6% 
15% 
18% 
21% 
10% 
15% 
17.5% 
17% 
16% 
17.5% 

20% 
22% 
25% 

20,5% 
25% 
18.6% 
15% 
8% 
12.5% 
10% 
3% 
6% 
17% 
7% 
17.5% 

10% 
22% 
21% 

15% 

15% 
18% 

19% 

19% 

20,5% 
25% 
18.6% 
15% 
18% 
21% 
10% 
15-12% 
17.5% 

25% 

7% 

4-19% 

16% 
17.5% 

17.5% 

17.5% 

0% 

20% 
22% 
25% 

Non 
alcoholic 
beverages 

Alcoholic 
beverages 

20,5% 
25% 
5.5% 
7% 
8% 
21% 
4-19% 
3% 
6% 
17% 
6-16% 
17,5% 

20% 
22% 
25% 

20,5% 
25% 
18.6% 
7% 
18% 
21% 
12-19% 
15-12% 
17.5% 
17-5% 
16% 
17-5% 

20% 
22% 
25% 

Cold  food  to be taken away for consumption  outside the shop  is exempt  from  VAT if sold  individually 

General  remark: 

The blank spaces indicate that the general rate is applied  for the category of goods and services  concerned. 

97 

V AT  RATES FOR PASSENGER TRANSPORT  (%) 

M.S. 

AIR 

SEA 

WATER  (*) 

RAIL 

ROAD 

AIR 

SEA 

WATER  (*) 

RAIL 

ROAD 

National  Transport 

International  Transport  (taxation  of journey  on national  territory) 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Germany 

France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
United  Kingdom 
Portugal 
Spain 
Greece 
Austria 
Finland 
Sweden 

6 

exo 

15 

5.5 
exo 
10 
3 
6 
0(9) 
5 
7 
8(10) 
10 
6 
12 

6 

exo 

6 

exo 

6 

6 

exo 

exo (2) 

7 

•  15/7(3) 

15/7(3) 

15/7(3) 

5.5 
exo 
10 

-
6/exo (7) 

i 

0(9) 
^ 
7 
8(10) 
-
6 
12 

5.5 
exo 
19 
exo 
6/exo (7) 
0(9) 
5 
7 
8 
10 
6 
12 

5.5 
exo 
10/exo(6) 

5.5 
exo 
10/exo(6) 

6 
0(9) 
5 
7 
8 
10 
6 
12 

6 
0(9) 
5 
7 
8 
10 
6 
12 

0 

0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
exo 
exo 
exo 

0 

0 

0 

0 
0 
0 

-
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
-
exo 
exo 

6 

6 

exo 

7 exo (4) 

15/7(3) 

6 lump-sum 
amounts (1) 
exo 25  lump-sum 
amounts (1) 
15/7 lump-sum 
amounts (1) 

5.5 

0 
exo 
6 
-
0 
7 
-
exo 
exo 
exo 

0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
0 
7 
0 
10 
exo 
exo 

5,5 / exo (5) 
0 
0 
0 
6(8) 
0 
0 
7 
8 
10 
exo 
exo 

(*) 
(1) 

(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
(6) 
(7) 
(8) 
(9) 
( 10) 

Inland waterways. 
Generally, lump-sum amounts are charged on entry into the country on vehicles registered abroad. A  rate of V AT  is applied to domestic vehicles. 
The exemption  in Denmark applies to all  regular traffic, domestic and foreign. In Germany, a rate of 7 %  is applied for short distances. 
Non-scheduled traffic 25%. 
Long distance  15% -short distance 7%. 
Exemption for ferries on the Rhine, Danube, Oder and Neisse. 
Transit: exempt. Others: 5.5%. 
Urban transport: exempt. 
Ferries opting for taxation and scheduled boats: 6%. 
In practice no VAT. 
Means of transport <  12 persons:  17.5%. 
6% for transport on and between certain islands. 

98 

Services 

Hotels, etc. 
Restaurants 

International 
passenger  transport 

Admission  to 
sporting events 

Admission  to 
theatres, cinemas, 
etc. 

B 

6% 

20,5 % 
Exon. 
6% 

6% 

*) 
6% 

DK 

2 5% 

2 5% 

Exon. 

*) 
2 5% 

*) 
2 5% 

D 

15% 

15% 
Exon. 
15% 
7% 

7% 

*) 
7% 

Use of sports 
facilities 

Travel agencies 

6% 
20,5 % 

Exon. 
Exon. 

15% 
15% 

*) Certain activities are exempt. 

Exon. 
7% 
7% 
15% 

*) 
7% 

Exon. 
16% 
16% 

V AT  RATES APPLIED TO THE  MAIN TOURIST SERVICES 

E 

7% 

F 

5,5 % 

7% 

18,6% 

GR 

8% 
8% 
18% 

IRL 

12,5 % 

12,5% 

I 

10% 
10% 
19% 

L 

3% 

3% 

Exon. 

Exon. 

Exon. 

Exon. 

Exon. 

NL 

6% 

6% 
6% 
Exon. 

AT 

10% 
10% 
20% 
10% 
Exon. 

P 

5% 

UK 

17,5% 

FI 

6% 

SE 

25% 

17% 

17,5% 

22% 

21 % 

Exon. 

Exon. 

Exon. 

Exon. 

Exon. 

*) 
12,5% 

18,6 % 
cin. 
5,5 % 
théât. 
2,1 % 
5,5 % 

8% 
théât. 
4% 
autres 
8% 

10% 

3% 

17,5% 

2 0% 

10% 

3% 

17,5% 

5% 

*) 
5% 

17,5% 

6% 

Exon. 

17,5% 

6% 

Exon. 

17% 
17% 

17,5% 
17,5% 

12% 
22% 

Exon. 
25% 

*) 
10% 

*) 
20% 
20% 

18,6% 
18,6% 

8% 
18% 

12,5% 
Exon. 

19% 
19% 

3% 
12% 

17,5% 
Exon. 

99 

ANNEX  5  THE  COHESION FUND 

Following  on  from  the  temporary  financial  instrument  established  on  31.3.1993,  the 
definitive  Cohesion  Fund,  provided  for  in  Article  130D of the  EC Treaty  was  set  up  by 
Regulation  (EC) N  1164/94 on  16.5.1994176. Through  providing  resources  for  improving 
transport  infrastructure  and  environmental  protection  in  Ireland,  Greece,  Portugal  and 
Spain  (i.e.  those  Member  States  which  have  a  per  capita  gross  national  product  of  less 
than  90%  of  the  Community  average)  in  line  with  a  programme  that  will  lead  to 
fulfilment  of the conditions of economic and social convergence, the Cohesion Fund will 
also  be  doing  much  to  improve  the  tourism  infrastructure  base,  particularly  in  terms  of 
communications  and  preserving  those  elements  that attract  tourists to a location, in those 
Member  States  where  tourism  is  already  a  key  factor  in  the  national  GDP  and 
employment. 

Commitment appropriations  1993-1994 Cohesion Fund 

Environment 

Transport 

Total  Breakdown 

MECU 

% 

MECU 

% 

MECU 

60 

51 

43 

40 

198.1 

519.3 

71.8 

134.1 

923.4 

-

40 

49 

57 

60 

134 

498.9 

96 

200 

929 

-

332.1 

1018.2 

167.8 

334.3 

1852.587 

13.337 

% 

17.92 

54.95 

9.05 

18.05 

99.97 

Greece 

Spain 

Ireland 

Portugal 

Total 

Technical 

assistance 

total  Cohesion  Fund  allocation  (ECU  15.15  billion), 

Of  the 
the  commitment 
appropriations  for  the  financial  years  1993  and  1994 were  set at  ECU  1.565  billion  and 
ECU  1.853  billion  respectively.  In  1994, the  resources available  shown above were used 
to fund  51 projects of which 20 were in Greece, 9 were in Spain, 9 were in Ireland and  13 
were in Portugal. 

176  Council  Regulation  EEC  1164/94 of  16.5.1994,  OJ  L  130,  25.5.1994. 

101 

ANNEX 

6 

T HE  C O M M U N I TY  INITIATIVES 

INTERREG  II,  combining  the  functions  of  INTERREG  I and  REGEN,  aims  to  promote 
crossborder  cooperation  between  regions  with  common  interests  and  help  areas  on  the 
Union's  internal  and  external  frontiers  (NUTS  III  areas  on  internal  and  external  land 
borders  and  NUTS  III  areas  on  sea  borders)  to  overcome  specific  problems  arising  from 
their  comparatively  isolated  position  in  comparison  to  other  national  economies  in  the 
EU.  Secondly  the  initiative  aims  to  complete  energy  networks.  The  planned  allocation  for 
1994-1999  for  crossborder  cooperation  is  ECU  2.4  billion  of  which  ECU  1.8  billion  will 
go  to  Objective  1  regions.  Co-financing  of  the  measures  by  the  EU  and  the  Member 
States  will  be  up  to  75%: 25%  in  Objective  1 regions  and  50:  50%  in  Objective  2  and  5b 
regions.  Cross  border  measures  to  promote  tourism  generally  and  farm  based  tourism  are 
among  the  eligible  measures.  Under  INTERREG  I,  this  resulted  in  support  for  measures 
such  as  the  development  and  management  of  natural  parks  for  tourism  purposes 
straddling  a  frontier. 

The LEADER  Initiative  concerns  rural  development  and  is based  on  development  projects 
carried  by  groups  working  at  the  local  level. The  aim  of  this  initiative  is the  development 
of  innovative  demonstration  projects  which  have  a  "bottom-up"  approach  and  can  be 
easily  transferred  elsewhere  in  order  to  promote  activities  other  than  farming  in  these 
areas,  within  the  framework  of  acquisition  of  skills,  rural  innovation  programmes 
including  rural  tourism  development,  transnational  cooperation  and  networking.  Of  the 
217  groups,  71  have  included  development  measures  concerning  rural  tourism  in  their 
projects.  In  25  of  those  projects,  tourism  has  pride  of place.  Work  programmes  presented 
by the various  groups  in  1991 are  near  to ending  in  1994. 

This  approach  would  appear  to  be  based  on  the  fact  that  mass  tourism  is  seen  as  facing 
certain  difficulties  and  that  a  proportion  of  tourists  are  turning  away  from  heavily 
crowded  sports  in  search  of  different  types  of  countryside  and  contacts.  This  opens  up 
opportunities  for  rural  tourism,  provided  it can  meet  these  needs. 

An  external  body  is  in  charge  of  co-ordinating  the  Community  network  aiming  at  the 
dissemination  of  know-how  and  good  practices.  During  the  period,  1991-1994,  rural 
tourism  has  been  a key  component  of  the  networks  activities. 

Building  on  LEADER  I,  (which  had  a  budget  of  400  million  ECU  for  the  period 
1991-1994)  LEADER  11,(1995-1999)  covering  Objectives  1 and  5b  regions,  has  a  planned 
allocation  of  1.4  billion  ECU  (drawn  from  ERDF,  EAGGF  and  ESF).  900  MECU  is 
intended  for  Objective  1  regions  with  a  further  35  million  ECU  intended  to  support 
activities  of  the  Community  network  and  national  networks  created  for  the  exchange  of 
experience  and  know-how. 

Financial  assistance  (up  to  75%  in  Objective  1 regions  and  up  to  50%  in  Objective  5b 
regions)  will  be  made  available  to  "local  action  groups"  (as  defined  in  LEADER  I,  i.e. 
groups  of  public  and  private  partners  jointly  involved  in  devising  innovative  rural 
development  measures)  and  also  rural  bodies,  in  the  public  and  private  sector  (e.g.  local 
authorities  and  Chambers  of  Commerce)  provided  that  their  more  specialised  work 
contributes  to  rural  development  in  local  areas. 

Most  of  the  LEADER  II programmes  have  already  been  approved  for  the  Objective  I  and 
5b  regions.  The  number  of  new  local  groups  and  their  business  plans  are  not yet  known, 

103 

but  all  the programmes  envisage  the  implementation  of  measures  related  to  tourism.  This 
means  an  enlargement  of  the  focus  on  rural  tourism  based  on  development  of  local 
resources  and  potential  cultural  opportunities. 

REGIS  II  (Poseidom,. Poseima  and  Posican)  with  a  planned  allocation  of  600  MECU  for 
the  period  1994-1999,  this  initiative  seeks  to  foster  closer  integration  into  the  Community 
of  the  most  remote  regions  of  French  overseas  departments,  the  Azores,  Madeira  and  the 
Canary  Islands.  The  measures  identified  for  assistance  come  economic  diversification, 
consolidating  links  with  the  rest  of  the  Community,  cooperation  among  the  remote 
regions,  precaution  against  natural  disasters  and  vocational  training.  Tourism  has  been 
identified  both  as  a  means  of  economic  diversification  "development  of  "discovery" 
holidays/adventure  tourism"  and  also  as an  area  of vocational  training. 

RECHAR  II,  has  a  planned  allocation  of  ECU  400  million  (ERDF  and  ESF  resources) 
with additional  resources  available  under  Community  grants and  loans  from  the  European 
Investment  Bank  and  under  the  ECSC  Treaty,  for  the  period  1994-1997  to  support  the 
economic  conversion  of  those  coal-mining  areas  in  the  EU  hardest  hit  by  industrial 
decline  and  unemployment  identified  under  RECHAR  I (i.e.  28  coal  mining  areas  in  six 
Member  States). The  shorter  period  is  intended  to  permit  a reassessment  of  the  those  coal 
mining  areas  in  difficulty.  Other  criteria  of  eligibility  include:  at  least  1,000  coal  mining 
job  losses  since  1.1.1990, at  least  a further  1,000 job  losses  subsequently,  further  losses  of 
coal  mining jobs  in  the  future.  Apart  from  environmental  improvements  and  restoration, 
promotions  of  tourist  activities  and  in  particular  those  associated  with  industrial  heritage 
have been  identified  as eligible  measures. 

RESIDER  II  (1994-1999)  With  a  planned  allocation  of  ECU  500  million,  this  initiative 
aims support  the economic  and  social  development  of regions  suffering  decline  due to  the 
collapse  of the  Steel  industry.  Priority  is  being  given  to  support  for  the  environment,  new 
economic  activities  and  human  resources.  Eligible  regions  are  those  located  in  Objective 
1, 2 and  5b  regions  which  have  experiences  at  least  1,000 job  losses  in the  steel  industry, 
and  are  experience  high  unemployment,  environmental  degradation  and 
isolation. 
Measures  related  indirectly  or  directly  have  been  identified  as  eligible:  rehabilitation  of 
industrial  buildings,  support  for job  and  enterprise  creation  as well  as promotion  of  tourist 
activities  particularly  those  based  on  industrial  heritage. 

KONVER  (1993-1997)  500  million  have  been  allocated  for  the  period  1994-1997  (at  least 
ECU  250  million  is  intended  for  Objective  1, 2  and  5b  regions)  to  support  the  economic 
diversification  of  areas  heavily  dependent  on  the  defence  sector,  in  particular  through  the 
the  encouragement  of  commercially  viable 
conversion  of  economic  activities  and 
activities  in  all  industrial  sectors  with  the  exception  of  activities  that  might  have  military 
applications.  Again  the  promotion  of  tourism  is  eligible  measures  under  this  initiative. 
The  list of eligible  zones  and  the  financial  allocation  were decided  by 21.12.1994  with  the 
intention  that  the  programmes  would  be  submitted  by  1.3.1995. 

PESCA  with  a  budget  of  ECU  250  million  for  the  period  1994-1999  is  intended  to  assist 
the  fishing  industry  to  cope  with  and  master  the  social  and  commercial  consequences  of 
the  structural  crisis  (i.e.  over-capacity  of  fishing  fleets,  high  indebtedness  of  the  industry 
as well  as  the  fragile  economies  of  many  coastal  regions)  it currently  faces.  The  available 
resources  will  be  provided  to  regions  dependent  on  fisheries  in  Objective  areas  1, 2  and 
tourism,  as  a  means  for  the  economic 
5b.  Two  of  the  eligible  measures 
diversification  such  as  the  conversion  of  fishing  ports  to  new  activities  such  as  tourism 
104 

identify 

e.g.  based  on  sports  or  maritime  heritage  and  investment  in production  within  the  industry 
with  encouragement  for  diversification  in  tourism  activities. 

URBAN  The  objective  of  this  initiative  is  to  revitalise  the  social  and  economic  fabric  of 
depressed  urban  areas  using  a  co-ordinated  global  approach.  With  a  planned  allocation  of 
ECU  600  million  of  which  ECU  400  million  is  intended  for  Objective  1 regions  and  the 
ECU  200  million  intended  for  other  areas.  Some  70  major  cities  will  be  funded.  The  main 
objective  is to  support  and  create  employment.  Thus  assistance  is being  given  to  establish 
new  economic  activities,  create  employment  for  local  people  and  support  for 
the 
infrastructure  and  environment  linked,to  these  aims.  Though  not  mentioned  specifically, 
tourism  as an  economic  activity  has  a part  in this  initiative. 

SME  combines  the  former  initiatives  of  Télématique,  Prisma  and  Stride  and  it  has  a 
budget  of  ECU  1000  millions  (with  ECU  800  million  is  intended  for  Objective  1 regions) 
is  specifically  oriented  to  provide  assistance  to  small  and  medium  sized  enterprises  with 
250  or  less  employees.  The  great  majority  of  tourism  enterprises  fall  within  this  category, 
very  often  being  micro  enterprises  of  1-9  employees.  Given  the  potential  of  SMEs  to 
create  employment  and  compete  on  international  markets,  in  line  with  the  White  paper  on 
Growth,  Competitiveness  and  Employment,  this  Initiative  provides  assistance  particularly 
in Objective  1 regions  to  help  small  firms  adjust  to the  requirements  of the  Single  Market 
and  become  competitive  on  international  markets.  The  initiative  identifies  seven  priority 
areas  for  support:  production  systems,  access  to  new  markets,  cooperation  with  suppliers 
and  customers,  access  to  finance  and  credit,  greater  environmental  awareness  and 
cooperation  with  research  centres. 

Employment  and  the  Development  of  Human  Resources: 
This  initiative  which  incorporates  EMPLOYMENT-NOW,  EMPLOYMENT-HORIZON, 
EMPLOYMENT-YOUTH  START  draws  heavily  on  the  guidelines  of  the  White  Paper 
on  "Growth,  Competitiveness  and  Employment"  seeks  to  develop  human  resources, 
improved  working  patterns,  and  the  implementation  of  transnational  measures  to  support 
a  revival  of  employment,  greater  solidarity  and  equal  opportunities  for  women  on  the 
labour  market.  By  offering  a  Community  wide  approach,  it  is  also  intended  complement 
Objective  3  of  the  structural  funds  through  its  transnational  dimension  and  its  promotion 
of public  and  private  sector  networking. 

Each element  of this  initiative  is intended  to  facilitate  access to the employment  market  of 
those  groups  experiencing  particular  difficulties:  NOW  is  intended  to  improve  equal 
opportunities  in employment  for  women,  HORIZON  targets  those  groups  threatened  with 
social  exclusion,  those  with  disabilities,  drug  addicts,  the  homeless,  refugees  and 
immigrants,  travellers,  convicts,  YOUTHSTART  seeks  to  integrate  people  under  the  age 
of 20  into the employment  market. 

Tourism  has already  been  identified  having  great  potential  as a source  of  new job  creation 
offering  access, even  at  the  local  level,  to  the  groups  mentioned  above  and  could  be  easily 
incorporated  into  the  measures  implemented  under  all  of  the  volleys  of  this  initiative. 
Each  element  of  this  initiative,  will  provide  generally  for  measures  leading  to  better 
organisation  of  training,  guidance  and  placement  systems,  aid  for  training  in  counselling, 
support  of  the  creation  and  establishment  of  firms,  and  information  and  communication 
for  all  concerned. 

The  planned  allocation  of  ECU  1,400  million  (ECU  370  million  for.  Employmcnt-Now, 

105 

for  Employment-Horizon 

ECU  700 
for  Employment 
-YOUTHSTART)  will  cover  the  whole  Union  but  in  particular  Objective  1 regions  (ECU 
800  millions).  The  closing  date  for  the  submission  of  applications  was  set  at  the  end  of 
April  1995. 

and  ECU  300  million 

ADAPT,  is  a  major  initiative  with  a  budget  of  ECU  1,400  million  (400  million  for 
Objective  1) for  1994-1999,  intended  to  complement  the  new objective  4 of the  Structural 
funds.  It  has  four  interrelated  objectives:  accelerating  the  adaptation  of  the  workforce  to 
industrial  change;  increasing  the  competitiveness  of  industry,  services  and  commerce; 
improving  qualifications,  increasing  flexibility  and  mobility  to  prevent  unemployment; 
and  anticipating  and  accelerating  the  creation  of  new jobs  and  new  activities,  especially 
amongst  SMEs  by  means  of  education,  training  and  employment  programmes.  ADAPT 
projects  are  expected  to  be  innovative,  with  a  transnational  dimension  and  demonstrable 
transparency  and  efficiency.  Those  selected  will  be  eligible  for  part  funding  (75%  in 
Objective  1 regions  and  50% in  others). 

106 

Germany 
Austria 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Spain 
France 
Finland 
Greece 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
United 
Kingdom 
Sweden 

ANNEX 

7  ECSC  LOANS ART. 56177 (TOURISM  SECTOR) (*) 

Country 

No of jobs 
anticipated 

Amount  Invested 
national  currency 
(millions) 

Amount  Invested 
national  currency 
(millions) 

Amount 
Invested  (ECU 
millions) 

431 

394 

109 
158 

DM  137.05 

DM 13.41 

FB 4062.78 

FB209.I0 

ESA  3057.33 
FF 82.43 

ESA 450.00 
FF 15.83 

7.21 

5.46 

2.77 
2.43 

Amount  Invested 
at  subsidized 
interest  rates 
(ECU  millions) 

0.97 

0.52 

0.28 
0.31 

153 

LIT 29603.23 

LIT 8772.00 

4.01 

0.29 

1893 

LST  124.25 

LST 28.05 

33.27 

3.77 

3138 

55.15 

6.14 

(*)  Loans granted between 1985 and  1994 

177  It  should  be  noted  that  ECSC  Article  56.2  conversion  loans  are  restricted  to  ECSC  employment 

areas. 

107 

ANNEX  8  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITY  INVESTMENT PARTNER  OR ECIP 

The following  tables give an overview of all  the projects concerning tourism  financed  up 
to 1994. 

Facility  1: Finance for identifying  projects or partners 

ECIP No 

Country 

Region concerned 

Sector's project details 

Selection 

52 
53 
254 
274 
720 
962 
1533 
1583 

Mexico 
Cyprus 
Vietnam 
Turkey 
Brazil 
Morocco 
Morocco 
South 
Africa 

Latin  America 
Mediterranean 
Asia 
Mediterranean 
Latin  America 
Mediterranean 
Mediterranean 
Africa 

General  tourism 
Health  tourism 
General  tourism 
General  tourism 
General  tourism 
Tourist activity  related to fishing 
Business tourism 
Promotion  of eco-tourism and adventure 
tourism 

8/11/89 
8/11/89 
5/12/91 
23/05/91 
11/02/93 
8/10/93 
12/12/94 
25/11/94 

Total 

8 

Facility 2: Finance for feasibility studies 

ECIP No 

Country 

Region concerned 

Sector's project details 

Selection 

Amount 
approved (in 
ECU) 

18.270 
23.000 
87.671 
61.100 
100.000 
43.205 
27.404 
18.675 

379.325 

Amount 
approved (in 
ECU) 

987 

Egypt 

Mediterranean 

162 
385 

Yugoslavia 
Turkey 

Mediterranean 
Mediterranean 

420 
521 
557 
572 
627 
645 
655 

Mexico 
Turkey 
Chile 
Mexico 
Cyprus 
Cyprus 
Philippines 

685 
796 
849 
646A 

Vietnam 
Honduras 
Tunisia 

Cyprus 

Latin  America 
Mediterranean 
Latin  America 
Latin  America 
Mediterranean 
Mediterranean 
Asia 

Asia 
Latin  America 
Mediterranean 
Mediterranean 

646B 

Cyprus 

Mediterranean 

Total 

15 

Construction  and management of a 
Tourist  Village 
Development of tourism  in Brioni Park 
Tourism  : residential development, 
international  hotel and associated 
facilities 
Integrated Tourist Centre 
General  tourism 

Pilot project  in agrotourism 
Yachts sailing along the Red sea 
Eco-tourism  and marine sports in 
Nathem Palawan 
Hotel project  in Ho-Chi-Minh City 

National  pleasure and leisure park 
Retirement  village with medical 
facilities 
Retirement  village with medical 
facilities 

1/07/93 

29.167 

23/10/90 
23/01/92 

155.406 
250.000 

12/03/92 
17/07/92 
11/08/92 
11/08/92 
13/11/92 
4/12/92 
4/12/92 

30/07/93 
16/07/93 
12/11/93 
4/12/92 

91.829 
9.000 
24.171 
250.000 
131.750 
13.473 
97.000 

21.739 
206.750 
168.100 
18.700 

3/12/93 

11.146 

1.478.231 

M  - s*? 

Facility  3:  Finance  for  the  Commission's  participation  in  the  investment 

ECIP  No 

Country 

Region  concerned 

Sector's  project  details 

Selection 

38 

Thailand 

Asia 

Creation  of  a  holiday  village 

188 

Egypt 

Mediterranean 

Tourism  sector  development  fund 

28/06/89 

18/12/90 

Total 

2 

Amount 
approved  (in 
ECU) 

500.000 

500.000 

1.000.000 

Total  projects  financed  1989-1994. 

Type of measure 

Number  of Financial partners 

Amount 

Facility  1 
Facility 2 
Facility 3 

: 

TOTAL 

"~ 

8 
15 
2 
25 

379.325 
1.478.231 
1.000.000 
2.857.556 

110 

ANNEX  9  GRANTS  TO  ACP  COUNTRIES  AND  OCTS  IN  THE  FRAM 

EWORK  OF 

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND MEASURES  (1990-1994) 

Country/Region 

Project  submitted  (ECU  thousand) 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

Total  (ECU) 

AFRICA 

Botswana 
Botswana 
Burkina  Faso 
Ivory Coast 
Djibouti 
Gabon 
Gabon 
Gambia 
Gambia 
Guinea 
Kenya 
Namibia 
Namibia 
Niger 
Senegal 
Sierra Leone 
Tanzania 
Tanzania 
Chad 
Togo 
Zambia 
Zambia 
Zimbabwe 

Regional 
Regional 

Subtotal  Africa 

Country/Region 

INDIAN OCEAN 

Madagascar 
Mayotte 
Seychelles 
Seychelles 

Regional 
Regional 

Subtotal  Indian  Ocean 

Country/Region 

PACIFIC 

Solomon  Islands 

Regional 

Subtotal  Pacific 

A 
B 
A 
A 
A 
B 
A 
B 
G 
B 
B 
A 
E 
C 
D 
E 

B 
A/B 
B 
A 
B 
E 
E 

F 
B 

E 

A 
B 
E 

B 
G 

B 

G 

.

.

.. 

60 
11 

- 

.
.
.. 

35 
- 

.
.. 

- 

- 

- 
.
.
.

- 
160 

.
.
- 

- 

60 

32 

55 

.. 
.. 

16 

40 

56 

56 

60 
20 

960 

60 
49 
-

375 

1.960 

36 

.. 

16 

- 

180 

46 

420 
-

- 
30 
- 

-

193 
322 

115 

100 
56 
32 
60 
11 
60 
20 
55 
960 
60 
49 
16 
375 
35 
1.960 
160 
36 
420 
46 
16 
30 
193 
322 

180 
115 

5.367 

Project  submitted  (ECU  thousand) 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

Total  (ECU) 

.

.

.. 

443 

7io 

36 
20 

60 
6.239 

.. 

150 

1.153 
36 
20 
150 

60 
6.239 

7.658 

Project  submitted  (ECU  thousand) 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

Total  (ECU) 

28 

- 

I 

11.530 

- 

29 

11.530 

11.559 

111 

Country/Region 

Project  submitted  (ECU  thousand) 

CARIBBEAN 

Anguilla 

Antigua & B 

Netherlands  Antille 

Netherlands  Antille 

Netherlands  Antille 

Netherlands  Antille 

Aruba 

Aruba 

Aruba 

Aruba 

Barbados 

Belize 

Dominica 

Grenada 

Grenada 

St.  Kitts & N 

Trinidad  &  Tobago 

Regional 

Regional 

Regional 

Regional 

Regional 

Regional 

Subtotal  Caribbean 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

Total  (ECU) 

A 

A 

A 

B 

G* 

D 

A 

B 

D 

I 

A 

B 

A 
E 

G 

A 

G 

B 

G 

D 

F 

B 

I 

14 

- 

. 

3 

19.150 

5 

57 

2 

.

- 

30 
15 

16 

12 

. 

-

.

26 

- 

.

979 

308 

- 

1.000 

60 

12.000 

-

- 

.

.

20 

32 

94 

-

- 

-

165 

.

.. 

.. 

96 

- 

- 

60 

.. 

812 

36 

624 

- 

.. 

. 

32 

54 

- 

80 

50 

44 

94 

3 

M9.150 

5 

165 

57 

2 

96 

26 

60 

30 

15 

2.099 

36 

1.000 

60 

12.000 

624 

32 

54 

80 

35.782 

Country/Region 

Project  submitted  (ECU thousand) 

Regional  all  ACP/OCTs 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

Total  (ECU) 

ACP 

OCTs 

TOTAL 

I 

I 

2.381  2.911 

3.011 

3.106 

3.204 

198 

432 

720 

800 

897 

35.054 

4.839 

7.970 

23.665 

6.498 

14.613 

3.047 

78.026 

Legend 
A 
B 
C 
D 
E 
F 
G 
H 
I 

J 
* 

Participation  in a  fair 
Study and  planning 
Publication  of material 
Promotion 
Technical  assistance and  co-operation 
Conference 
Development  programme 
Training 
Participation  in tourist events under the regional  integrated  programme  for the development  of 
commerce and services (fairs, technical assistance, advertising,  seminars) 
Cross-border tourist  circuit 
of which  8.800 ECU  loans 

112 

ANNEX  10  EXAMPLES OF INCENTIVE MEASURES UNDER THE KALEIDOSCOPE PROGRAMME 

Enhancement  and 
extension  to a wider 
audience 

Networks  and 
Partnerships 

Access to  culture 

Research/training 

Kaleidoscope 

- 

support for  symbolic 
artistic events 

information 

- 
-  use of multimedia 

- 

facilities 
fight  against social 
exclusion 

- 

- 

- 

raise profile  of artistic 
training 
further  training  for 
practising artists 
travel  grants for artists 

- 

support for artistic 
events organised  in 
partnership 

-  meetings and  exchanges 
of experience  between 
professionals  and other 
partners  involved  in the 
field  (including those 
regarding  less privileged 
young  people) 

Co-operation  with  third 
countries  and 
international 
organisations 
-  support  for 

co-operative  activities 
in the artistic  field 

-  participation  in 
networks and 
partnerships 

113 

ANNEX  11  RESEARCH  TECHNOLOGIES  FOR  ENVIRONMENTAL  PROTECTION  AND 
CONSERVATION OF THE EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE 

The  protection  and  conservation  of  the  European  Cultural  Heritage  is  an  important 
common  problem  in  all  Member  States  of  the  European  Union.  At  the  same  time,  the 
threats to this heritage, and particularly  the materials in which it is displayed, (be it stone, 
paper, wood, mental, painting or brick) are growing. 

Atmospheric  pollution, urbanisation,  tourism  or  inappropriate conservation  treatments  all 
play a part. 

Due to the effects  of the environment,  which  have no frontiers,  Europe has everything  to 
gain by combining their efforts  and resources to protect their cultural items. 

To achieve this it is essential  to understand  the causes and mechanisms by which they are 
damaged,  and to establish  practices  where we have a sound  scientific  and  technical  basis 
by collaborating international research on this issue. 

Within  the  last  three  Environment  Research  Programmes  (1986-90,  1989-92,  1991-94), 
about  130  of  the  leading  laboratories  in  EC  Member  State  countries  (as  well  as  in 
Sweden,  Norway,  Austria  and  Switzerland)  have  undertaken  this  kind  of  collaborative, 
international research. (A table of projects  funded  in  1994 is listed at Annex 13). 

The  objectives  of  the  area  of  research  funded  under  the  ENVIRONMENT  Programme 
that  concerns  the  Protection  and  Conservation  of  the  European  Cultural  Heritage  are  as 
follows: 

GENERAL  OBJECTIVES 

* 

* 

* 

to understand and quantify  causes and mechanisms of environmental  deterioration 

to  develop  new  methods  of  condition  assessment,  including  the  effect  of  mass 
tourism, by technologies of analyses and evaluation 

to  reinforce  the  scientific  basis  for  treatment  and  interventions  for  conservation 
and/or restoration 

115 

RESEARCH  PROJECTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL  PROTECTION AND 
CONSERVATION  OF THE EUROPEAN  CULTURAL  HERITAGE  FUNDED IN  1994 

Coordinator 

Partners 

Title of the  project 

Syremont  SpA, IT 

GR,  ESP, IT, 
FR 

Institut  fur 
Instandhaltung 
GmbH, DE 

UK, GR, NL 

English  Heritage, 
UK 

UK, IE, UK 

Gifford  and 
Partners Ltd, UK 
Birkbeck College, 
UK 
Royal  Danish 
Academy of Fine 
Arts, DK 
TNO, Bouw, NL 

Middlesex 
University, UK 
University of 
Patras, GR 

DE, PT, UK 

NL, IT 

FR, BE, UK 

BE, IT 

PT, AT, UK 

IT, ESP 

University of 
Manchester, UK 
Carl von Ossietzky 
Universitat 
Oldenburg, DE 

DK 

IT, ESP 

Micro-stuctural decay of lithoid 
monuments, caused  by environmental 
factors, studied  using a newly 
developed,  radar-aided  methodology 

Soil archive classification  at 
European  excavations sites in terms 
of environmental  impacts and 
conservability  of Cultural  Heritage 
Wood care: understanding the 
relationship between death watch 
beetle wood decay fungi  and timber 
ageing  in European  historic buildings 
in order to develop alternatives to 
current  harmful  and  ineffective 
treatments 

Re-treatments of consolidated stone 
faces 
ERA: Environmental  research  for art 
conservation 
Deterioration  and conservation of 
vegetable tanned  leather 

Performance  of surface  treatments  for 
the conservation  of brick masonry 
Particulate pollution  and stone 
damage 
Deposition  of gases and particles and 
their corrosive effects  on surfaces of 
cultural and artistic value inside 
museums 

Development of improved 
conservation  for archaeological  iron 
Biological and mineralogical 
reactions of  Mediterranean 
monuments 

EC 
Contribution 
(ECU) 

Duration 
(Months) 

600,000 

30 

518,000 

24 

500,000 

36 

164,000 

580,000 

480,000 

410,000 

471,000 

280,000 

300,000 

116,000 

24 

36 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

116 

ANNEX  12  COMMUNITY  ACTION  PROGRAMME  IN  THE  FIELD  OF  CULTURAL 

HERITAGE - THE RAPHAEL PROGRAMME 

I. Development and 
promotion  of the 
cultural heritage in 
Europe 

To encourage the 
development and 
pooling of optimal 
practices and to 
create an 
environment 
conducive to the 
preservation  of the 
cultural heritage. 

11. Networks and 
partnerships 

III. Access to 
heritage 

To help enhance 
transnational 
cooperation, 
exchanges and 
pooling of 
experience and the 
presentation  of the 
European 
dimension  of 
heritage. 

To promote 
projects to raise 
awareness with a 
European 
dimension  and to 
encourage the use 
ofadvanced 
information  and 
communication 
technologies and 
services. 

IV. Innovation, 
further  training 
and  professional 
mobility 

To promote the 
exchange of 
experience and 
encourage 
mobility and 
further  training  for 
professionals 
working on 
cultural  heritage. 

V. Cooperation 
with third 
countries and 
international 
organisations 

To develop 
projects with third 
countries and 
create synergies 
with activities 
undertaken  by 
other  international 
organisations, in 
particular the 
Council of 
Europe. 

117 

ANNEX  13  LIFE  1994:  PROMOTION  OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM,  IMPLEMENTATION 

PROJECT  REFERENCE 

| 

SUBJECT 

| 

BENEFICIARY 

LIFE 94/E/A152/E/01465/ASJ 

LIFE94/E/A152/E/I524/AND 

LIFE94/E/A152/E/01462/BAL 

CONSEJERIA  DE MEDIO 
AMB1ENTE Y URBANISMO 

Recovery  integrated  and 
sustainable system  for the 
pasture  land  in the Natural  Parks  Coronel  Aranda s/n 
E - 33071  OVIEDO 
of  Somiedo 
Mancomunidad de  Municipios 
The Third  Ring. REMEN 
del  Bajo  Guadalquivir 
proposal:  Local Network of 
Camino de San Benito, 
Natural  Spaces 
Finca S. José s/n 
E-41740  LEBRIJA 

Feasibility  study and sustainable  CONSELL  INSULAR DE 
development  plan of the Minorca  MENORCA 
Island (biosphere  reserve) 

Cami d'es Castell 28 
E-07702  MAHON 
(MENORCA) 
Fédération des Parcs Naturels 
Régionaux  de France 
4, rue de Stockholm 
F - 75008 Paris 
Commune de Fouesnant 
F - 29170  FOUESNANT 

LIFE94/F/A152/EU/00878 

Natural  and National  Parks in 
Europe  : a Charter  for a 
sustainable tourism 

LIFE94/F/A/152/F/00780/BRE 

LIFE94/F/A152/F/00798/BRE 

Environmental  management  for 
a sustainable tourism  in Isles of 
Glénans 
Management and  improvement  Ministère de la Culture 
of Carnac megalithic site 

Hôtel de  Blossac 
6, rue du Chapitre 
F - 35044  RENNES Cedex 

LIFE94/GR/A152/GR/01396/KEN 

LIFE94/GR/A152/GR/01348/KEN 

Promotion  of tourism  activities  Municipality of Giannitsa& 
Municipality of Goumenissa 
with  regard to nature 
Gonou Giota 2 
conservation  in the mountain 
GR - 581 00 GIANNITSA 
areaofPaiko 
Municipality of Naoussa 
Complete environmental 
30, Dimarchias Square 
management of Agios Nicolas 
GR - 592 00 NAOUSSA 
Park - Araptisa  River 

LIFE94/GR/AI52/GR/01263/PEL 

DEY.A.  SPARTA 
Development  of eco-tourism  in 
Kleomvrotou, 39 
the  Riparian  ecosystem  of 
GR -  171 00 SPARTA 
Evrotas, near Sparta 
L1FE94/GR/A152/GR/0139/MLTRG  Feasibility  model  for  integration  Greek  Society of Caves 

L1FE94/IRL/A152/0037/NWT 

of speleogical ecosystems  in the 
development  of sustainable 
tourism  activities 
Management  plan  for the 
sustainable  use of Lough Gill 
and environment 

LIFE94/IRL/A152IRL/00399//WST 

Tourism  Eco-labelling 

Sina 32 
GR - ATHENS 

Sligo County Council 
Council Offices,  Riverside 
Sligo, IRELAND 

Udaras na Gaeltacht,  Furbo 
Galway,  IRELAND 

119 

PROJECT  REFERENCE 

| 

L1FE94/IT/A152/IT/0029 

SUBJECT 
Actions to promote sustainable 
tourism  in marginalised  rural 
areas 

| 

BENEFICIARY 

VILLA  DELLA 
CUPA-FONTEMAGGIO s.r.l. 
Via Colle, 141 
I - 06020 Gai fana  (PG) 

LIFE94/IT/A152/IT/003I0 

LIFE94/P/A152/P/0122/ALT 

LIFE94/P/A152/P/01234/CEN 

LIFE94/P/A152/P/01156/LIS 

LIFE94/UK/A152/UK/00736 

Accessibility  framework  of Veny  REG. AUTONOMA  DELLA 
VALLE D'AOSTA ASS.TO 
and  Ferret valley, for an 
AMB.TE, TERR1TORIO E 
ecologically sound use of land 
TRANSPORTl 
Via Cerise, 1 
1-11100 Aosta 
Câmara Municipal de Evora 
Praça do Sertorio 
P-7000  EVORA 
QUERCUS - Associaçâo 

Ecological tourism  initiatives 
from  littoral coast towards inland  Nacional de Conservaçâo da 

Integrated approach to 
sustainable tourism 

Natureza 
Av. Emidio Navarro, 81 - 4/G 
P - 3000 COIMBRA 

Promotion  of friendly  tourism  in  QUERCUS - Associaçâo 
Alto Nabào 

Parrett Trail 
A combination  of culture, art and  Brympton Way 
sustainability  in S. Somerset 

Nacional de Conservaçâo da 
Natureza 
Apartado  112 
P-2490OUREM 
South  Somerset  District Council 

YEOVIL 
Somerset  BA20 2HT, England 

120 

ANNEX  14  THERMIE & ALTENER 1994: SELECTED PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF ENERGY WITH RELEVANCE TO TOURISM 

Programme 

Sector 

Field 

Project 
Title  &  Description 

Project 
Location 

Proposers 

THERMIE 

Renewable  Energy 
Sources 

Solar  Energy/ 
Thermal 

THERMIE 

Renewable  Energy 
Sources 

Hydroelectric 

THERMIE 

Renewable  Energy 
Sources 

Geothermal 

THERMIE 

Renewable  Energy 
Sources 

Geothermal 

THERMIE 

Rational  Use  of 
Energy 

Buildings 

ALTENER 

Optimised solar system for  hotels in Algarve: 
Installation  of 304 m2 of solar vacuum  tubes collectors and an 
absorption  system  which will work as a heat pump to to produce 
heating and hot/cold  water for  ambient air conditioning. Modular solar 
systems will  be integrated  on the roofs of 3 hotels according to Algarve 
traditional  architecture.  Expected  energy production: 237,000 
kWh/year. 
RINO mini-hydroelectric scheme in Adamello National Park: 
The aim  is to exploit a natural  resource through the construction  of a 
hydroelectric power station  in a national  park. The innovation  lies 
within the measures taken to protect the environment  in an area of high 
environmental sensitivity.Expected  energy production:  12,800,000 
kWh/year. 
Les's géothermie resources integral exploitation for  use in a health 
resort hotel: 
Combined  use of geothermal  water for healing purposes and 
balneological  uses. The well to be drilled  at 300 m depth will  produce 
50 m'/h  at 40_C. The full  use of geothermal  energy  is achieved  by a 
cascade with various swimming pools. Expected energy  production: 
103 toe/year. 
Public buildings and thermal resorts heating using the hot mineral 
waters located on the side of the North Pyrenean diapiric zone: 
To use geothermal  energy to cover heating requirements of public 
buildings and balneological  resort.  The aim of this project  is lo install 
the production  equipment  and to build a district heating network. 
Expected  energy  production: 502 toe/year. 
Bioclimatic design of a light take-down cover, with perfect 
characteristics for  an existing large-sized swimming pool placed  at a 
seaside: 
To install a transparent cover which will be adjusted  according to needs 
for solar gains and  lighting. This cover (thermal  blanket) is made of an 
air extension  with reflecting  and diffusing  surfaces.  Expected  energy 
saving: 3,619,000 kWh/year. 
Actions de formation  et de sensibilisation  aux ENR dans le réseau des 
Espaces naturels 

121 

Lisboa/Sagres  -  Lisboa  e 
Vale  do  Tejo 
Portugal 

-  Joâo  Nascimento 
-  Ambiente  E  Energia 
Estudos  E  Projectos 
LDA 

EC 
Support 
(ECU) 
386,610 

Adamello  -  Lombardia 
Italy 

-  Franzoni  Filati 

451,590 

Les -  Cataluna 
Spain 

-  Balneario  de  Tredos  SA 
-  TRT  SA 
-  Universidad  de 
Barcelona 

153,841 

St  Paul  lès  Dax  -
Aquitaine 
France 

-  Mairie  de  Saint  Paul 
Dax 
-  Geotherma  SA 

275,263 

Barcelona,  Cataluna 
Perpignan, 
Languedoc-  Roussillon 
Spain,  France 

-  Centre  Natacio  Mataro 
-  Tecsol  SA 

200,000 

-  France 

-  Fédération  des  parcs 
naturels  régionaux 

| 

76,000 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(96) 29 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

16 

Catalogue number  : CB-CO-96-031-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-99869-5 

Office  for Official  Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg