WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2498/98 by Gerardo FERNÁNDEZ-ALBOR to the Commission. Community aid for tourism undertakings investing abroad
Date: 1998-07-30
Institutions: European Parliament, FERNANDEZ ALBOR
Subjects: EU aid, aid to undertakings, cooperation policy, developing countries, development policy, freedom to provide services, investment abroad, tourism

8.4.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 96/105

(1999/C 96/146)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2491/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Exploitation of fishing quotas

Can the Commission give a precise indication as to the level of quota, excluding quota swaps, which is exploited
by nationals of a Member State other than the one which was originally allocated the quota? If so, can the
Commission clarify which countries this involves and to what extent this practice is carried out?

Specifically, can the Commission provide up-to-date statistics on the exploitation of quotas by Dutch nationals,
which had previously been allocated to countries other than the Netherlands?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 1998)

The Commission regrets to inform the Honourable Member that it is unable to provide him with the information
required since this is not available.

For the purpose of management of the total allowable catches (TAC) and quota system, only data relating to each
stock(cid:146)s cumulative catch from vessels flying the flag of each Member State are required. Only those data are
consequently reported to the Commission.

(1999/C 96/147)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2498/98

by Gerardo FernÆndez-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Community aid for tourism undertakings investing abroad

(30 July 1998)

One of the objectives which will have a major impact on the Community tourism sector is its internationalisation,
both in terms of attracting tourists to the European Union and selling services or operating facilities abroad.

A dual objective can be achieved in this way, by exporting the technological capacity of Community tourism
undertakings and contributing to development in a large number of developing countries, in addition to the
support provided to Community tourists visiting the countries concerned.

Can the Commission list the Community programmes which supply aid for Community tourism undertakings
investing abroad, and can it provide information on the experience gained in this respect and any changes which it
considers necessary in order to strengthen the presence of Community tourism undertakings outside the EU(cid:146)s
borders, particularly in developing countries?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 1998)

The Commission shares the honourable Member(cid:146)s point of view regarding the growing internationalisation of
tourism in the Member States and its major contribution to international trade, especially with non-member
countries. Indeed, for the Member States tourism accounts for a third of all imports and exports of services, while
direct investment by Community undertakings in non-member countries in 1995 amounted to ECU 4 700 million
in the hotel and catering branch alone (1).

Although the Community does not have any specific programme to foster tourism investment by European
undertakings in non-member countries, there are several Community programmes and schemes of a horizontal
type that can help. This applies, for example, to actions as part of the new European strategy for market access
and improving the process for liberalising services.