WRITTEN QUESTION E-2576/01 by Dominique Vlasto (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Contribution of tourism to employment and growth.
Date: 2001-09-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: economic growth, job creation, small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism policy, tourist profession

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/191

On what date did or will the board begin work?

Could the Commission give details of the board(cid:146)s membership, budget and funding, duties, responsibilities,
and operation?

(1) OJ C 364 E, 20.12.2001, p. 183.

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2001)

The European Advisory Board was established by the Commission Decision 2001/531/EC, Euratom of
27 June 2001 (1). This Decision describes the function and competence of the Board as well as the
modalities foreseen for the achievement of its mandate. A budget of up to € 624 550 per annum is
presently foreseen for its activities. The Commission will also provide for financial and administrative
support to the secretariat of the Board.

The members of the board were nominated by Commission Decision on 1 August 2001 (2). The list of
members is sent directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat general of the Parliament.

The Advisory Board met for the first time on 26 September 2001.

(1) OJ L 192, 14.7.2001.
(2) OJ C 268, 22.9.2001.

(2002/C 81 E/225)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2576/01

by Dominique Vlasto (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Contribution of tourism to employment and growth

(24 September 2001)

On 21 June 1999 the Internal Market Council called on the Commission and the Member States to
cooperate closely in order to (cid:145)maximise (cid:133) the potential contribution of
tourism to growth and
employment taking particular account of the contribution of SMEs(cid:146), which make up the majority of this
economic sector.

Four objectives were set, as follows:

(cid:129) facilitating the exchange and dissemination of information, notably through new technologies;

(cid:129) improving training in order to upgrade skills in the tourism industry;

(cid:129) improving the quality of tourist products;

(cid:129) promoting environmental protection and sustainable development in tourism.

Could the Commission say what progress it has made in achieving these objectives since the publication of
its progress report on the subject in September 2000?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2001)

The working parties referred to in the Commission(cid:146)s progress report (1) submitted their final reports in July
2001.

C 81 E/192

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

The Ministerial Seminar organised by the Belgian Presidency in June 2001 in Bruges enabled
representatives of the Member States and the Commission to hold an initial discussion on the results of
these working parties. In November 2001, the Commission intends to adopt and send to the other
Institutions a communication on tourism policy which will set out, on the basis of this work, an
operational framework for coordinating the various parties involved in tourism and a limited series of
measures and actions which they should put in place.

The Member of the Commission for the Information Society, Enterprise and Tourism gave a speech to
Parliament(cid:146)s Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism on 9 October, in which he presented
the broad lines of the communication being prepared.

(1) COM(2000) 696 final.

(2002/C 81 E/226)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2577/01

by Dominique Vlasto (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 September 2001)

Subject: Quality initiatives for the hotel sector

The quality of tourist amenities is of vital
European Union.

importance for the development of this sector within the

In this context, quality initiatives for the hotel sector are particularly relevant. Various factors which help
to stimulate tourist activity are a warm welcome, attractive hotels, high standards of safety and comfort
and modern fittings.

The Member States each have their own approach regarding assistance from the various public, state and
local bodies for improvements to hotel infrastructure.

Could the Commission say whether any Community aid exists to promote quality initiatives for hotels in
EU Member States?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2001)

The Commission is well aware of the importance of ensuring quality in all aspects of the European tourism
product, including hotels. In this context it co-ordinated and participated in an expert Working Group,
mandated to consider this very issue, which produced its final report in June 2001.

As part of its work, the Working Group on Improving the Quality of Tourist Products identified those
European policy areas which could have an impact on quality improvement, including sources of available
funding. The Group concluded that of the various sources of Community funding, the European Regional
Development Fund and the other structural funds were those most appropriate to the purpose. These
funds are delivered at the regional level for defined eligible areas across the Community through agreed
multi-annual investment programmes.