CELEX: 51990PC0211
Language: en
Date: 1990-05-22
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A MULTIANNUAL PROGRAMME ( 1991-93 ) FOR DEVELOPING COMMUNITY TOURISM STATISTICS

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                      C0M(90) 211 final
                                      Brussels, 22 May 1990
                           Proposal for a
                          COUNCIL DECISION
      on the implementation of a imiltiannual programme (1991-98)
              for developing Community tourism statistics
                   (presented by the Commission)
 ---pagebreak--- Explanatory memorandum
Following the Council resolution of 10 April 1984, the Commission sent the
Council on 31 January 1986 a communication on Community action in the field
of tourism, together with three proposals which, the Council adopted on
22 December 1986.
With reference to statistics in particular, the Commission takes the view
that existing statistics on tourism are patchy and based on different
definitions and collection practices, with the result that comparisons
between Member States are very difficult and Community consolidations
impossible. Accordingly, the Statistical Office of the European
Communities (Eurostat) will shortly be undertaking, in collaboration with
experts from the Member States, the necessary methodological studies to
assess the feasibility of a harmonized system.
In its resolution of 22 January 1988 on the promotion and funding of
tourism, the European Parliament laid special stress on the Community's
role in publishing statistics, opinion surveys and information on tourism.
At their informal meeting in Glucksburg on 6 May 1988, the ministers
responsible for tourism once again emphasized the importance of harmonizing
tourism statistics in order to afford public and private operators in the
industry a good insight into the situation and trends on the internal
market.
At the Council meeting of 14 December 1988, at which the action programme
for European Tourism Year was established, the Commission stated that it
was aware of the need for reliable information in order to develop
Community action in the field of tourism.
At the seminar held by the tourism ministers at Lanzarote on 8 May 1989,
participants expressed their wish to analyse and monitor the effects on
tourism of completion of the single market in 1992 (with special reference
to taxation, consumer protection and the external dimension of European
tourism). Most of those present were in favour of Community action on
tourism statistics.
The need for statistics on tourism in the Community, to provide the
industry and governments with reliable information, was also underlined at
the informal meeting of tourism ministers held at Ashford Castle on
10 March 1990. The Commission was invited to present a proposal on the
subject.
In line with the conclusions adopted in May 1986 by the Conference of the
Directors-General of the National Statistical Offices, Eurostat convened a
working party on tourism statistics to examine the nature and feasibility
of the proposed system, which was devised in close coordination with the
World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the OECD.
                                                                            1/
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 2 -
Action on tourism statistics is being stepped up in several Member States.
Such new efforts should be based on a common framework, in order to avoid
duplication and ensure that statistics are homogeneous.
Since not only Community institutions but also national administrations and.
private operators need tourism statistics, their requirements should be
taken into account when such statistics are developed at Community level.
The difficulties encountered by the WTO and the OECD in collecting
consolidated data on a voluntary basis highlight the need for Community
action.
The statistical data available in each of the Member States do not provide
a suitable basis for comparison, because of the differences between the
laws, rules and administrative practices of the Member States to which they
relate.
Analysis of existing tourism statistics reveals the need to improve and
further develop the methodology for collecting data on supply in the
tourist industry in order to give Member States a reference framework for
more effectively harmonizing and developing their statistics in the field.
Most Member States carry out surveys of individuals or households with a
view to obtaining the main holiday indicators. Such an approach focuses on
the demand side and makes it possible to evaluate only the demand for
tourism among residents of a particular country. The lack of a common
methodology at European level makes it difficult to group together the
findings of holiday surveys and greatly restricts their use, at Community
as well as national level. The introduction of a Community methodology, to
be applied by all Member States, would make it possible to evaluate
European tourism from the standpoint of both demand in Member States and
the habits of tourists from non-member European countries.
Several Community measures in the statistical field take in tourism. The
use and development of the resulting data with the aid of a methodology
specific to tourism would provide a more effective monitoring tool without
incurring additional data collection costs.
In view of the above-mentioned difficulties, measures to improve statistics
on tourism can only be phased in gradually.
It is on such a basis that this proposal for a Council Decision has been
drawn up.
                                                                             3
 ---pagebreak---                          PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION
           on the implementation of a multiannual programme (1991-93)
                   for developing Community tourism statistics
                                   (90/.../EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
and in particular Article 213 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,
Having regard to the proposal fro» the Commission,
Whereas Council Decision dô/aefc/ESC1 established a consultation and
cooperation procedure in the field of tourisn;
Whereas tbe resolution of the European Parliament of 22 January 1988 on the
facilitation, promotion and funding of tourism in the European Community2
stresses the Community's role in publishing statistics, opinion surveys and
information on tourism;
Whereas (completion of the single market heightens the need for reliable,
rapid and comparable data based on Community criteria;
Whereas the business environment of firms in the tourist industry should be
improved by ensuring better analysis and dissemination of information at
Community level;
Whereas a Ccanmunity reference framework for tourism statistics should be
devised to provide the most appropriate concepts and methods for satisfying
the information requirements of users;
Whereas efforts should be made at Community level to ensure the
comparability of statistical data on tourism already available in the
Member States;
Whereas the workload involved in collecting data from businesses should be
reduced wherever possible through more extensive use of tourist demand
analysis and the development of appropriate basic statistical tools, while
ensuring the quality and consistency of the Community statistical
information system;
Whereas Article 5 of the EEC Treaty places Member States under the
obligation to assist the Commission in carrying out its tasks and that to
this end, Member States must make available to the Commission the tourism
statistics in l&eir possessionk;
Whereas Council Decision 89/382/EBC, Euratom of 19 June 1989 established a
Statistical Programme Committee of the European Ocsnmunities, this Committee
carries out the functions devolved to it by the provisions decreed by the
Council in the field of statistics;
   OJ NO L 384, 31.12.1986, p. 52.
   O J N o C 340, 31.12.1986, p. 1.
                                                                             h
 ---pagebreak---                                       2 -
Whereas the sura of appropriations allocated annually for this task should
be stipulated within the financial perspective attached to the
Interinstitutional Agreement of 29 June 1988 ; 3 whereas the appropriations
actually available will be determined during the budgetary procedure in
accordance with the said Agreement,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
                                  Article I
The aim and action plan of the multi annual programme (1991-93) for
developing European tourism statistics (hereinafter referred to as "the
programme") are hereby approved.
                                  Article 3
The aim of the programme mentioned in Article 1 shall be the definition and
implementation of a Community frame of reference for Oammunity statistics
on tourism, by the approximation of the oonoepts and methods already used
by the Member States.
                                  Article 3
With a view to acheiving the objective referred to in Article 2, the
following work shall be oarrled out in line with the action plan set out in
the Annex:
The Commission shall:
(a) analyse and evaluate users' needs with regard to tourism statistics;
(b) analyse existing systems in the Member States;
(c) prepare a Community methodological framework for statistics on tourism;
(d) collect and disseminate existing data on tourism.
                                  Article 4
The Member States shall ascertain and analyse the needs of the main
national users and hold consultation meetings at national level. The
Commission will coordinate these activitiers following consultation with
the Statistical Programme Committee instituted by Council Decision
89/382/EBC, EURATOM Of 19.6.1989.4
3  OJ No L 185, 15.7.1988, p. 33.
4  OJ No L 181, 28.6.1989.
                                                                            S
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 3 -
                                 Article 5
For the work referred to in Article 3, Member States shall supply the
Commission with existing statistics on tourism and any information it may
require concerning the methodology used for collecting such statistics.
                                 Article 6
The Commission shall present to the Council before the end of 1992:
(a) a report evaluating the outcome of the work referred to in Article 3;
(b) the conclusions prompted by the report as to the development of the
    information system required for Community tourism statistics after
    1992.
                                 Article 7
1. The sum of the appropriations allocated annually for this task is fixed
   in the framework of the annual budgetary procedures.
2. The budgetary authority shall determine the appropriations available for
   each year.
                                 Article 8
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at
                                   For the Council
                                                                            6
 ---pagebreak---                                     ANNEX
                          STATISTICAL ACTION PLAN
                                   1991-^93
(a) Analysis and evaluation of users' needs with regard to tourism
    statistics
    Collection and analysis of the needs of the main users, i.e. the
    Community institutions, national administrations, international
    organizations and economic operators.
    The analysis should take into account long-term needs and completion of
    the single market in 1992, to allow long-term planning and convergence
    of statistical efforts at national and Community level.
    Determination of users' needs will require the broadest possible
    consultation of the parties concerned, to be achieved through
    coordination by Member States at national level.
(b) Analysis of existing systems in the Member States
    - Analysis of supply in the tourist industry;
    - Analysis of tourist demand;
    - World data on non-member countries (sources: WTO, OECD) to monitor
      the Community's development against that of the rest of the world;
    - Data from other statistical projects with a bearing on tourism.
(c) Preparation of a Community methodological framework for statistics on
    tourism
    The aim is to establish a reference framework for statistics on
    tourism, covering both existing data and additional data collections.
    It will be used as a basic harmonization tool for developing official
    European statistics and as a recommended basis for non-official
    statistics. It will relate to:
                                                                            >
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 2-
    (1) supply in the tourist industry (the infrastructure and its use);
    (2) tourist demand (surveys of long-term patterns in extended holidays
        and short-term trends in the mobility of travellers: leisure
        tourism, business trips, etc.);
    (3) utilization of data from other statistical sources, such as data on
        rural tourism, prices, tariffs, costs, and the contribution of
        tourism to the balance of payments and regional development.
(d) Collection and dissemination of existing data on tourism
    The aim is to collect and regularly disseminate data on tourism.
    Modern electronic transmission techniques will be used for data
    acquisition. Given the diversity of the available data, the system
    will be supplemented by a documentary database.
                                                                            3
 ---pagebreak---                           FINANCIAL STATEMENT on:
                  Developing Community tourism statistics
1. Budget heading:        B 58     Item:         B 5870         Title:
   Tourism-related measures.
2. Legal basis: Article 213 of the Treaty establishing the EEC
3. Classification: Non-cœmpulsory expenditure
4. Objectives:
   Promoting the harmonization of concepts and methods and establishing a
   European reference framework for tourism statistics.
   Work:
   (a)  Analysis and evaluation of statistical needs;
   (b)  Analysis of existing statistical systems in the Member States;
   (c)  Methodological developments and recommendations;
   (d)  Collection and dissemination of existing data.
5. Method of calculation
5.1 Form of expenditure: Financing of methodological work, data collection,
    production and dissemination of the information.
5.2 Community contribution: Financing of work carried out by Eurostat and
    DG XXIII: 100%.
5.3 Calculation: Provision of services (consultants, experts):
    ECU 1 million.
6. Financial implication as regards operating appropriations
6.1 Schedule of commitment and payment appropriations (ECU)
    1990
    1991                480 000                340 000
    1992                280 000                340 000
    1993                240 000                250 000
    1994                                        70 000
   Subsequent years       —                        —
    TOTAL             1 000 000              1 000 000
6.2 Financing during current year: Some work is being part-financed in 1990
    through the partnership between Eurostat and DG XXIII.
7. Observations: the above amounts will be decided annually within the
    framework of the budgetary procedure and depending on funds available.
 ---pagebreak---                            IMPACT ASSESSMENT FORM
           Impact on businesses, with special reference to SMEs,
                   of the proposal for a Council Decision
                 on developing European tourism statistics
1. Administrative obligations for businesses
   The Decision would not impose any additional obligation on businesses,
   since the data to be collected are already available in the
   Member States.
2. ^vantages for businesses
   The Decision provides for the setting-up of a system for disseminating
   the collected data; in the run-up to the creation of a common market in
   tourism, businesses therefore stand to gain from greater market
   transparency, enabling them to operate more efficiently.
   In concrete terms, this will make it possible to reduce the costs of
   converting statistical data and provide a better reference framework for
   studying supply and demand in the tourist industry. This is particularly
   important for SMEs, which do not always have access to information
   concerning developments and changes in the industry.
                                                                            /<>
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                ISSN 0254-1475
                                                                COM (90) 211 final
                                                      DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                                         16
                                 Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-217-EN-C
                                                              ISBN 92-77-60307-0
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