Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Tourism policy in the enlarged EU
Date: 2005-04-06
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: accession to the European Union, tourism policy

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Tourism policy in the enlarged EU

(2005/C 255/02)

On 1 July 2004 the European Economic and Social Committee decided to draw up opinion, under Rule
29(2) of its Rules of Procedure, on Tourism policy in the enlarged EU

The Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, which was responsible for preparing the
Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 16 March 2005. The rapporteur was
Mr Mendoza.

At its 416th plenary session held on 6 and 7 April 2005 (meeting of 6 April 2005), the European
Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 83 votes to four with five abstentions.

1. Background

As part of the EESC's ongoing efforts to finalise its posi-
1.1
tion and put forward proposals to the tourism sector,
it is
drawing up an opinion to take account of the new situation in
the enlarged EU, both as it is now and as it may develop over
the next few years.

1.2
The EESC has already drawn up opinions on a range of
tourism-related topics, but this will be its first examination of
the impact on the tourism sector and its prospects in this new
it will also be the first
European context. Most importantly,
time that members from the new Member States have been
involved in the work.

1.3 Without wishing to cast doubts upon or disregard the
work of previous opinions,
it is not certain what kinds of
threats and opportunities these new prospects open up, be it
for the whole of Europe, for individual countries, for pre-enlar-
gement Member States or for the new Member States.

1.4
In drawing up this opinion, we have tried to be comple-
tely open to information, considerations and suggestions from
the new Member States, whilst noting the views already
expressed by the Committee. At the hearing held in Katowice,
Poland, the Committee heard numerous important contribu-
tions from old and new EU Member States alike, all of which
consider tourism a source of economic and cultural benefit,
that contributes to the construction of a Citizens' Europe and
therefore to European integration. This is all the more impor-
tant and necessary during an ongoing enlargement process that
calls for even greater efforts to bring the Union closer to its
citizens and to foster mutual understanding between cultures
and peoples. In the near future, the drive to achieve European
integration will be speeded up as it is essential for the new EU
members. People who travel as tourists are without doubt in
the vanguard of European integration.

1.5
This opinion does not attempt to go into great detail on
the current situation or on future prospects for the tourism
industry in each country but to look at the common elements

of a future European tourism policy and to examine and
propose measures that will help to ensure that tourism is a
significant driving force for economic and social development
for all countries, and which also meets the criteria for sustain-
ability.

1.6
The European Constitution is a new factor that must be
taken into account in any analysis of relations between the
Member States themselves and between these countries and the
European institutions. This opinion attempts to diagnose how
enlargement affects tourism as a whole and how the new
framework provided by the Treaty establishing a Constitution
for Europe might help or hinder this outstanding contributor
to development that is tourism in Europe and throughout the
world. In short, it sets out to analyse the factors that might
shape European tourism policy.

It is in relations between the various peoples of Europe,
1.7
between the citizens of
this political, economic and social
entity that is Europe, that we find one of the best ways in
which tourism can contribute to a greater understanding
between all peoples and consequently to the construction,
cohesion and consolidation of the new Europe.

1.8 We must bear in mind that tourism is currently going
through a hard time, due to various factors, including interna-
tional terrorism and consequently the need to reconcile security
with freedom, and also the world economic crisis and its
impact on people's desire for travel, at least for long-distance
travel. Tourism is an instrument for world peace, and can
continue to be so in the future.

1.9
Global, and in particular European, tourism must be
based on the development of the real cultural values of both
sending and receiving countries and help to shape these values.
The exchange of customs and cultures, mutual respect, appre-
ciation for the diverse environmental, heritage and social char-
acteristics of each locality, can and must contribute to a united
Europe and a world where countries support and respect each
other.

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2. Tourism policy in the European Union

2.1 Points for general discussion of

future tourism policy in the

enlarged EU.

2.1.1
T ou r i sm p oli c y i n th e E u r op e a n Uni on a nd
t h e E u r op e a n Consti tu ti on: Although tourism does not as
such form part of EU common policy, some European institu-
tions nevertheless put forward measures and actions which,
because of
their cross-sectoral nature, have an impact on
tourism or use it as an instrument to achieve some of the EU's
fundamental aims, such as sustainable development, employ-
ment and economic and social cohesion; in short, to provide a
better quality of life for Europe's citizens.

Section 4 of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for
2.1.2
Europe, entitled Tourism (Article III-281) sets out its position
on tourism:

‘1. The Union shall complement the action of the Member
States in the tourism sector, in particular by promoting
the competitiveness of Union undertakings in that
sector.

To that end, Union action shall be aimed at:

(a) encouraging the creation of a favourable environ-
ment for the development of undertakings in this
sector;

(b) promoting cooperation between the Member States,

particularly by the exchange of good practice.

2. European laws or

framework laws

shall establish
specific measures to complement actions within the
Member States to achieve the objectives referred to in
this Article, excluding any harmonisation of the laws
and regulations of the Member States.’

2.1.2.1
tourism in its
I-17 includes
supporting, coordinating or complementary action:

Article

areas of

‘The Union shall have competence to carry out supporting,
coordinating or complementary action. The areas of such
action shall, at European level, be:

(a) protection and improvement of human health;

(b) industry;

(c) culture;

(d) tourism;

(e) education, youth, sport and vocational training;

(f) civil protection;

(g) administrative cooperation.’

2.1.3
economic nature of

These Treaty

articles

show that,

tourism and its potential

although the
to generate

wealth through businesses is recognised, there is no suggestion
of a move towards European harmonisation in this area. The
intention is simply to acknowledge that it has a role to play in
complementing and coordinating national policies. Further-
more, the desire to exclude any regulatory activity that could
be used to harmonise these policies is made quite clear. This, in
the opinion of the EESC, does not exclude but indeed facilitates
agreement on identifying the values that define a European
tourism model.

The Treaty could possibly have set out more inter-
2.1.3.1
ventionist models for tourism, but a reading and analysis of the
proposed text, reveals a generally positive line,
in harmony
with the rest of the constitutional text. The section on tourism
in the Treaty enables us to continue trying to achieve the main
objectives as regards the role of tourism and how to improve
it. On this basis, the EESC will continue working in the future
with other institutions and stakeholders in the sector.

2.1.4
The aim of this Opinion is not to set out and analyse
each of the policies developed by the different countries of the
Union and compare models: those more or less integrated into
a European framework; those more or less ‘nationalist’; diversity
within European tourism, etc. As already noted in a Committee
opinion, tourism starts with the local and regional dimension,
and from there, spreads to the national and international stage.
The beneficial and fruitful hearing in Katowice, revealed not
only the diversity of tourism activity in each Member State, but
also the range of strategies that each State, region and local
community could use to promote their tourism model both
now and in the future.

2.1.5
Nor is the aim of this opinion to make judgements on
this range of models for action, although it is clear that some
are more open than others to cooperation at whatever level,
while others opt exclusively for competition in a free market.

2.2 Enlargement and tourism: The effect of EU enlargement on the

industry.

2.2.1
The enlargement of the European Union is a new
situation which is certainly going to bring new opportunities to
the whole of Europe and clearly also to each old, new and
future Member State.

This opportunity can be seen from various standpoints:

It

Supply:

is clear

that enlargement

2.2.1.1
is greatly
increasing the already large range of European tourism
products, not only in terms of the number of tourist locations,
but also and possibly more importantly, in terms of cultural,
heritage and environmental added value. Here it is necessary to
refer once more to the hearing in Katowice, where this expan-
sion of product range brought about by the new Member

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States became clear through the various natural, cultural and
even industrial tourism initiatives that were presented. Without
doubt this expansion will make the European industry more
competitive, both internally and with other countries of
America, Asia and the rest of the world. The new Member
States are also seeking to increase their
tourist
products as a key factor in the development of their tourism
industry and, ultimately, their economy. Although this desire
for growth is absolutely legitimate and advisable, it should not
be forgotten that growth has its limits and that the speed of
growth must be sustainable to ensure that social, economic and
environmental values are safeguarded in the future. Other
Member States' experience of tourism development, with its
failures and successes, should serve as an example of prudence
and success in choosing a model for the development of new
tourist destinations.

range of

Demand: The increase in tourism demand associated
2.2.1.2
with enlargement is undoubtedly triggered by three key factors.
Firstly, the increased number of EU citizens wanting or needing
to travel to other places and other countries of the EU which
until now were difficult to get to, either because the individual
was not part of the Community and so had difficulty travelling,
or because they were an EU citizen and had difficulties travel-
ling to other countries outside of the EU. Secondly, the higher
standard of living that will certainly be reached in the new
countries will
it is
hoped that the new and improved transport and communica-
tion infrastructures will serve as an incentive for travel and
tourism, for relocation for professional or personal reasons and
in short, that travel and the associated tourism industry will
grow.

increase peoples' desire to travel. Lastly,

2.2.1.3 Market: As a consequence of the increase in supply
and demand due to EU enlargement, the tourism market will
grow bigger and stronger. This will undoubtedly have a positive
impact on all economic activity of the EU, where tourism is a
very influential industry. It is difficult to predict the impact that
enlargement of the market will have on prices of tourism
products, the products themselves or companies' profits, but
everything seems to indicate that
the positive effects will
outweigh the negative. The enlarged market will certainly
increase competition, but in order that the positive effects have
a snowball effect, the increase in competition will have to be
based on an improvement in the competitiveness of businesses
and of Europe's tourist destinations.

Sustainability:

2.2.2.1
In a previous opinion on Socially
sustainable tourism for everyone (1), the EESC, like other interna-
tional and European institutions such as: the Commission, the
Parliament, etc., described the sustainability of European
tourism as invaluable to its balanced and productive long-term
economic development. The 100 initiatives set out
in this
opinion present a specific range of factors that help to achieve
sustainability.

The growth in tourism will tempt the new countries to expand
their tourism industry. The scale and speed of this expansion
must be managed in such a way that it is economically, socially
and environmentally acceptable. The demand for sustainability
in tourism activities is not easy to meet, since contradictions
continually arise and the criteria for applying sustainability
differ according to the players involved.

A knowledge-based society: Tourism can contribute
2.2.2.2
very constructively to achieving this Lisbon Strategy objective,
due to the very nature of
the activity, based on cultural
exchange,
travelling to other places and bringing different
social and cultural customs and realities closer together. In par-
ticular, the acquisition of knowledge by young people is greatly
stimulated when they travel, when they live with other people
from other environments, when they become more open,
tolerant and caring. The acquisition of knowledge is not only a
question of academic study but also of gaining experience; this
can be done in any circumstances, at any age and tourism
provides a perfect opportunity for this.

Information and communication technologies are key contribu-
tors to both the creation and consumption of tourist products,
and they will certainly help to make tourism a competitive
industry accessible to all.

2.2.2.3
Employment: The Lisbon Strategy stated that Europe
should take the lead in creating more and better jobs over the
next few years. There can be no doubt that tourism, which
accounts for 5 % of European GDP and employment — up to
10 % in some Member States — can be a source of more and
better jobs in an enlarged Europe. For this to be socially
sustainable, both old and newly created jobs in the tourism
sector must fulfil the basic requirements of quality, specific
training, stability and, in particular, recognition of the rights of
workers employed part-time or on a temporary basis.

2.2.2
However, in order to create a strong industry from the
new and great opportunity provided by enlargement, various
principles, conditions and common rules
that ensure the
general viability of the activity, as well as its socially desirable
future, must be adhered to. These criteria were defined at the
Lisbon Summit, where a Strategy was mapped out on the basis
of the following objectives: sustainability, a knowledge-based
society, employment and social cohesion.

2.2.2.4
force for
Social cohesion: Tourism is a powerful
cohesion, enabling us to get to know other people and places,
and therefore helping to give substance to the concept of citi-
zenship in the enlarged Europe. To be able to share common
goals with others,
it is essential to know about them and
tourism facilitates this. Tourism, will further progress in the
the
enlarged Europe by improving cohesion between all
peoples of Europe.

(1) OJ C 32 of 5.2.2004

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3. General analysis of tourism policy in the enlarged

Europe

protection policy must be applied directly to the tourism sector
and increase business and consumer responsibility. The promo-
tion and distribution of quality labels and eco-labels must be
supported and encouraged in the tourism sector.

3.1
The key question that we can and should ask is: Can
tourism policy be covered by the general development of a
comprehensive industrial and economic policy for the Euro-
pean Union? We know that the answer must be and is affirma-
tive, if by tourism policy we understand all the criteria, objec-
tives and instruments capable of steering European tourism
towards satisfactory levels of competitiveness, wealth creation
and sustainability. The Treaty establishing a Constitution for
Europe thus states that actions in this sector shall support,
coordinate and be complementary to other European policies.

E nv i r on me nta l p r ote ct i on: All European environ-
3.2.5
mental protection policies are applicable to and benefit the
tourism industry. If tourism is fundamentally an industry based
on the rational use of natural resources, all initiatives, activities
and regulations can only encourage tourism today and in the
future.

3.2
Features of industrial policy applicable to the tourism
sector. Some of the features of tourism policy that can be
drawn from Europe's general industrial and economic policies
are:

O th e r E U p oli c i e s: In general, and due to its cross-
3.2.6
sectoral nature, the tourism industry is affected by all of the
EU's economic and industrial policies. However, the strategic
importance of tourism to employment and social cohesion
should be recognised in the institutions; policies should be
applied appropriately on the basis of studies and pilot projects.

E mp loyme nt a nd Soci a l Poli c y: Aside from the
3.2.1
very specific features of
jobs in tourism due to its highly
seasonal nature, all EU employment policies are perfectly
applicable to employment in the tourism sector. That said, all
additional initiatives to reduce seasonality should not only be
welcomed but also encouraged and fostered by the EU institu-
tions. There is still a lot of work to be done on this issue, since
seasonal employment is still considered normal
in the main
tourism areas. The staggering of holiday dates could make a
positive contribution to prolonging the season and therefore
enable better use of the capacity of tourism infrastructures.

Q u a li ty : In the same way, Community policies to
3.2.2
promote quality and to introduce quality benchmarks
in
industry must be applied in the tourism sector and lead to
improved quality. Due to its very nature as a service industry
and its core tenet of personal service tourism, is very sensitive
to this variable. The efforts of all European tourism players in
promoting quality should be supported, coordinated and
complemented, as stated in the Treaty establishing a Constitu-
tion for Europe.

3.2.3
R e se a r ch a nd de ve lop me nt: Tourism in particular
is undergoing major structural change in the way in which
services are advertised and purchased via the internet, and the
positive impact
this will have on tourism should be
studied and promoted. R&D work on tourism should be the
responsibility of all institutions at all levels and all businesses.

that

3.2.4
Consu me r p r ote c ti on: Tourism is an economic
activity in which there is a strong interrelationship between
service providers and consumers. All general EU consumer

3.2.6.1
In short, the tourism policy of the enlarged EU, as
set out in the European Constitution when it comes into force
in due course, should be a policy of support and coordination,
and complement all other EU tourism-related policies. The
competitiveness of businesses, sustainability in its broadest
sense, the creation of high quality employment, infrastructure
policy, etc. should all focus on tourism as a key activity for the
development of the whole Union.

3.2.7
R e la ti on t o oth e r a c ti vi t i e s: Tourism acts as a
catalyst to boost the effects of other activities, such as sport, as
analysed by the EESC in its opinion on Tourism and sport: the
future challenges for Europe (2).

3.3
The status of tourism policy in the EU. The question as to
whether tourism in Europe and in EU policy is truly accorded
the role, importance and strategic position that it merits as a
human, economic and social activity, can be answered from
various points of view.

The EU,

its countries, regions and cities are world
3.3.1
tourist destinations: the new situation in Europe, together with
the accession of the new Member States, has resulted in a wide-
ranging and diverse product range, full of contrasts, enabling
Europe to develop into a pre-eminent tourist source and desti-
In the future, expectations are for continued, more
nation.
modest growth, but with higher expectations than other indus-
tries. A policy of quality — the linchpin of competitiveness and
sustainability — must underpin this product range; the devel-
opment of a European quality tourism mark or marks should
be the means whereby this quality is achieved and expressed.

(2) OJ C 157 of 28.6.2005

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3.3.2 Insti t u ti ona l me a su r e s t h a t w ou ld h a v e t o b e
a dop t e d i n or de r t o de v e l op a t ou r i sm p oli c y
for Eu r op e a s a w h ole .

as well as the business activities of the private sector. Below is
a list of those elements which, when taken as a whole, shape
this system of guiding values that can contribute to improving
tourism and to ensuring its sustainability.

3.3.2.1
It is acknowledged that the European institutions,
including the Commission and the Parliament, are carrying out
ongoing work to coordinate measures impacting on tourism.
The European Tourism Forum initiative, which has already been
implemented, should be noted. This annual meeting brings
together all players in the tourism sector and is of great scien-
tific value — as well as of value for planning and cooperation
policy — for the improvement of European tourism.

3.3.2.2
This and other work to promote awareness of Euro-
pean tourism with the participation of all the sector's players, is
very positive. The conclusions of the Forum held in Budapest
in 2004 are to be found in Appendix 1.

3.3.2.3
Here it is worth mentioning again the EESC initiative
presented in the opinion on Tourism policy and public-private
cooperation (3), proposing that
the Commission analyse the
possibility of creating a European Tourist Board, in either the
medium or long term.

3.3.2.4
This Board could comprise a wide range of institu-
tional officials and private players, in particular social partners
and civil society organisations, and would analyse tourism
information, propose guidelines and follow up agreements
reached in the European Tourism Forum. The EESC will coop-
erate and participate actively in its creation.

3.3.2.5
The EESC wishes to express its determination to
continue working on this issue, on its own behalf and in coop-
eration with the Commission, the European Parliament, the
Committee of the Regions and other institutions, to boost the
profile and development of European tourism.

3.3.2.6
To aid progress in this area, it is proposed that more
use be made of institutional meetings to analyse, coordinate
and promote the application of the Resolutions of the Euro-
pean Tourism Forums.

3.4 Features of a tourism policy for the enlarged EU

3.4.2
The definition of tourism in the enlarged Europe must
be based on values identified in European tradition and culture,
and have the tourist him/herself at its heart. The idea of the
tourist as a consumer of services that are complex, varied and
profoundly personal
in nature and composition cannot be
abandoned. But the fundamentally economic and commercial
nature of tourism, which necessitates the application of the
principles of profitability and competitiveness in this economic-
ally influential industry and substantial contributor to Europe's
GDP, cannot be forgotten either.

3.4.3
The tourism policy of the enlarged Europe should be
based on sustainability, both in its wider sense, as an instru-
ment of economic, social and environmental development —
but development subject to stricter conditions. One of the most
important
issues to debate in this area concerns limits to
growth. Have objective and quantifiable limits been set for
tourism? Have economic limits been set on the pace of devel-
oping tourist destinations throughout the world?

3.4.3.1
The answers to these questions are not simple ones,
but the idea of limits to growth — but not to development
provided it is balanced, sustainable development — seems to
be gaining ground. It might be worth quoting the example of
the Mediterranean, where the number of tourist locations is
increasing, a development that poses a serious threat to the
entire tourist industry in the medium term and to its profit-
ability. Tourism investment initiatives, subject to sustainable
development conditions and in cooperation with the southern
Mediterranean countries, must be welcomed as instruments for
the economic and social development of a vast and currently
underdeveloped geographical area.

3.4.1
The current opinion is intended to be consistent with
the EESC's previous opinion, Socially sustainable tourism for
everyone (4), adapting the principles that shape tourism policy to
the new European situation. In this case tourism policy is not
seen as a set of regulatory powers for the Union but as princi-
ples and values that must be borne in mind and must imbue
tourism measures adopted by all public institutions at all levels,

(3) OJ C 74 of 23.3.2005
(4) OJ C 32 of 5.2.2004

3.4.4
The adaptation of the tourism industry to a changing
situation to improve its competitiveness: R+D, new technolo-
gies, investment, promotion, design, marketing, networks, busi-
ness associations, etc. is a requirement for all European busi-
nesses, particularly those that want to find a niche in the newly
enlarged Europe. The role played by the internet today and the
role it will foreseeably play in future must convince all sectors
that the way forward is to be involved in its development, in
using the internet to improve productivity, for research and
ultimately to ensure that the tourism industry's development is
more balanced.

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3.4.5
relations,
T ou r i sm a n d E mp loyme nt: Labour
vocational training and promotion, specialisation, social protec-
tion, free movement of workers, etc. are key factors in the
shaping of a tourism policy of the enlarged Europe. Particular
attention must be paid to creating and training the new profes-
sions in the tourism sector; the institutions must be involved in
this to ensure that the criteria of creating of high-quality jobs
are met. Furthermore,
tourism qualifications
the range of
should be expanded and improved.

3.4.6
Tourism in relation to the promotion of European
culture and heritage: customs, art, architecture, history, folk-
lore, gastronomy, etc. should all play a very important role in
an appropriate European tourism policy. The new countries,
with a rich heritage to add to the range of tourism products,
will have to base their tourism development on these values.
Experiences like those of the paradores in Spain, the pousadas in
Portugal and the ville e castelli in Italy among others, can serve
as good examples of integration between heritage and tourism
underpinned by commercial promotion.

Access to tourism for all is a challenge that should not
3.4.7
be ducked. Tourism is every individual's right, even if they
suffer from disability: a campaign to encourage tourism in the
enlarged Europe is proposed, aimed particularly at schoolchil-
dren and adolescents and at older or retired people and
pensioners.

3.4.8
The growth of the tourism market in the wake of
enlargement must act as a driving force for internal European
tourism and consequently as a basis for a general promotional
policy.

through pilot projects. This research should explore fully the
changing tourism models and how to ensure tourism remains a
significant instrument of development.

3.4.11
The diverse situation of European islands merits
special attention. Some of the very characteristics that provide
them with the right conditions for tourism development can
have huge repercussions. The communication, transport and
regional development policies are of strategic importance to
these islands and to mountainous areas, due to the effect their
specific characteristics can have on tourism.

Once more,

it is important to emphasise that,

in
3.4.12
the heart of
today's world, security and prevention are at
tourism development. In the case of both natural and man-
made disasters, prevention through rules that ensure people's
freedom to travel and move about should be a key factor in
tourism development.

3.4.13
It should not be forgotten that a tourism policy for
the enlarged Europe must contribute effectively to helping
tourism fulfil the role it can play in accelerating the process of
social, economic and political cohesion in the EU, through
various actions:

— deepening knowledge of countries, people and cultures,

— contributing to the creation of a European model of co-

existence, peace and progress,

— promoting a positive image of Europe in the world.

3.4.8.1
Given the special significance of internal tourism
and its effects on internal demand and consumption in the EU,
particularly the current and potential
importance of social
tourism, the EESC will draft an opinion on a Social Tourism
Policy for Europe.

This opinion is intended to be consistent with the EESC's
previous opinion Tourism policy and public-private cooperation (5)
and examine effective ways of achieving cooperation.

3.5 The role of public-private partnership in developing tourism

3.4.9
Stakeholders in the tourism sector must take a leading
role in the analysis, design, monitoring and evaluation of
tourism policies in various fields. This must be the modus oper-
andi at all times, a principle to be adhered to in any tourism
policy. Cooperation strategies and methods of participation
should be agreed between bodies.

The seasonality of

3.4.10
tourism is possibly its biggest
weakness; the pursuit of stable employment and activity must
be at
the heart of a new tourism policy for the enlarged
Europe. Methods of compensating for the under-use of human
resources and capital due to seasonality should be researched

appropriate

3.5.1 When applied to an analysis of the enlarged Europe
and tourism,
coordination and cooperation
between the public and private sectors must be considered not
level, but can — and probably
only at local and national
should — go beyond these barriers; cooperation must also be a
vector for transmitting sustainable policies and measures to
improve investment and competition from one country to
another. Countries and social sectors with longer traditions of
tourism can offer the benefit of their experience to the coun-
tries that form the enlarged Europe, helping them to avoid
mistakes in developing tourism models, providing concrete
experience of successes and failures; in short, working together
on this new model of economically, socially and environmen-
tally sustainable tourism.

(5) OJ C 74 of 23.3.2005

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Training must be one of

3.5.2
cornerstones of
improving the quality of tourism, but it is advisable that its
contents meet the real demand of the different tour operators;
this should make institutional efforts more effective. Public-
private cooperation can and should play a vital role in this
area.

the

3.5.2.1
The EESC wishes to state that it would fully support
the initiative creating a European Masters Degree in Tourism;
this would help to shape, develop and apply the European
tourism model, based on the values of the European Union as
an area of co-existence and economic development.

3.6.1.3 Cooperation and exchange with other areas of Europe

and the world.

The main features and conditions of the European model of
tourism are described throughout this opinion and must influ-
ence the definition of other tourism products from outside of
Europe, above all to prevent these from competing unfairly and
disregarding tourism standards. International standards, criteria
for correct financial management, human — especially labour
and social — rights and environmental sustainability must all
be respected. The EESC proposes that the EU develop a Euro-
pean tourism model with different international
institutions:
the ILO and the International Bureau of Social Tourism (BITS).

3.5.3
The European tourism policy should ensure the
promotion of networks of tour operators, as well as of business
associations at all levels: local, regional, national and European.

3.6.2 T h e r ole of

t h e St r u c tu r a l F u nds a nd ot h e r

f or ms of su p p or t i n t ou r i sm i n a n e nla r g e d E U

3.5.4
The role of transport infrastructure in the enlarged
Europe is crucial to ensuring that competition remains central
to the development of tourism in all countries. The Union
must make efforts in this field to guarantee safe, swift and
high-quality access and intermodality of
for all
regions, bearing in mind that the use of infrastructures for
tourism has a greater economic and social impact. Particular
priority must be attached to the accessibility of the islands of
EU countries in policies to improve internal and external
communications.

transport

EU economic solidarity is best reflected in its policy
3.6.2.1
of economic and social cohesion,
implemented through the
Structural Funds. This policy, which has proved an effective
tool for progress, will be particularly relevant with enlargement.
This is why actions which have a positive effect on the devel-
opment of cohesion policies should be supported through the
development of a tourism policy. These policies can in their
turn boost tourism activity in all countries, so that tourism can
exercise a multiplier effect on such actions. Cross-border
measures can help to create tourism products shared by
various countries, through common actions and products.

To explore

the Committee
3.6.2.2
proposes that a study be carried out on the effect of the Struc-
tural Funds on the tourism sector.

further,

issue

this

3.6 European institutional cooperation

3.6.1
forms:

European institutional cooperation can take many

4. Conclusions

Pilot projects: For example,

the European Social
3.6.1.1
that could contribute substantially to the
Tourism Project,
growth of internal tourism and to ensuring access to tourism
for all, as well as help in overcoming the seasonality of
tourism. The project should possibly be promoted by various
countries with similar successful experiences, together with the
Commission, and should investigate the long-term viability of
the global European Social Tourism Project. It is proposed that
the European Commission analyse the possible impact of a
European Social Tourism Project on the European tourist
industry.

4.1
Tourism is a key economic sector and industry for the
effective construction of an enlarged Europe, which should
grow with due respect for sustainability in the broadest sense
and should contribute effectively to European social cohesion.

The new Member States see tourism as a great opportu-
4.2
nity for economic development that can bridge the gap,
in
terms of income, between them and the old European Union
countries. The great variety that they bring in terms of culture,
the
heritage and nature will mean an expansion both of
product range and of internal and external tourism demand.

3.6.1.2
Cooperation on research: For example, into new forms
of tourism, in particular tourism compatible with sustainability,
which could be given a boost by enlargement. It is proposed
that the Commission consider carrying out an investigative
study on this subject, to which the EESC would contribute.

An enlargement taking in other countries will have a
4.3
very positive impact on the future of the tourism sector, parti-
cularly if the European model of tourism is applied with due
respect for sustainability.

14.10.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 255/21

4.4
One of the proposals that the Committee would like to
see approved and forwarded to all Member State institutions is
to mount a wide-ranging education and motivation campaign
based on the concept of tourism as an industry of strategic
importance for Europe. This campaign would essentially target
school children, with the aim of
teaching them to value
tourism as a human activity that involves getting to know
people, places and cultures, which can be of vital importance
to their own personal growth and enrichment. This campaign
should involve European, national, regional and local institu-
tions, as well as business organisations and unions from all
sectors, and should invite pupils to learn about their nearest
tourist attractions (city, province, region) as a means of moti-
vating them to travel in their own country and discover the
delights of the rest of Europe.

4.5
Creating a database of good tourism practice, covering
destinations and private operators such as hotel owners, tour
operators and additional offers etc., could provide a means for
exchanging positive experiences from which the newly inte-
grated countries and those yet to join will certainly benefit
greatly.

By the same token, creating and encouraging various
4.6
networks of destinations which aim to promote the best values
of sustainability and quality will ensure that tourism develops
on the basis of criteria geared to a new model of European
tourism guaranteeing greater continuity.

4.8
The Committee welcomes the Commission's initiative to
carry out a study of the effects of sporting events on tourism,
based on the EESC opinion on Tourism and sport: the future
challenges for Europe.

4.9
In order to find reference points and bases for future
actions in support of European tourism, the EESC calls on the
Commission to carry out, within a reasonable timespan, studies
on tourism and the situation of social tourism, as well as on
tourism for people with disabilities, given its social importance
and possible positive effects on tourist activity.

4.10
sals already set out in this opinion:

The EESC would like to reiterate two particular propo-

— Firstly, to welcome the creation of the Commission's group
on Tourism and Sustainability, within which the EESC will
be represented, to continue working towards the possible
future setting-up of a European Tourism Board and to
encourage meetings between European institutions, social
partners
society organisations. The
Committee considers that both initiatives will help to
achieve the objectives laid down in the Treaty establishing a
Constitution for Europe.

and other

civil

— Secondly, to express the EESC's willingness to cooperate
institutions concerned with the

with other international
tourism sector, such as the ILO and the BITS.

4.7
Consumer protection should be at the heart of a Euro-
pean Tourism Model intended to continually generate sustain-
able economic activity. All general consumer protection policy
should be applied to tourism, mainly because of the strong
consumer — service provider relationship found in this sector.

5.
The EESC has decided to publish and distribute this
opinion under the title the ‘Katowice Declaration on Tourism
Policy in the enlarged EU’ and that it should be the Committee's
contribution to World Tourism Day 2005, organised by the
World Tourism Organisation.

Brussels, 6 April 2005.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Anne-Marie SIGMUND