CELEX: 51988PC0803
Language: en
Date: 1988-12-05
Title: Amended Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on an action programme for the European Tourism Year (1990) (presented by the Commission under Article 149, paragraph 3 of the EEC Treaty)

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COM (88) 803
Vol. 1988/0267
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 ---pagebreak---    COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                          COM(88 ) 803 final
                                                          Brussels , 5 December 1988
JI
                                  Amended Proposal for a
                                    COUNCIL DECISION
                       on an action programme for the
                         European Tourism Year (1990 )
          (presented by the Commission under Article 149, paragraph 3
                                      of the EEC Treaty )
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                         EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
concerning      Council Decision ( EEC )... on the declaration of
European Tourism Year , ( ETY ) 1990 ,
                                                                  the
The importance of tourism as a contributor to economic
development , job creation and as a factor in improving       mutual
understanding among Community citizens is now well
established
In January 1986 , following the "First guidelines concerning a
Commurtx ty Pol icy on tourism " ( 1 ), the Commission submitted to
the Council a communication concerning " Community action in
the field of tourism " ( 2 ). This communication set out the main
objectives of the Commission for this sector : facilitating and
promoting tourism in the Community ; improving the seasonal and
geographical distribution of tourism; better information and
protection for tourists ; improving working conditions in the
tourist industry ; increasing awareness of the problems of
tourism particularly as concerns statistics , and the better
use of Community financial instruments .
Certains measures have already been adopted in pursuit of
these objectives , in particular the adoption by the Council of
a Resolution on a better seasonal and geographical
distribution of tourism ( 3 ) and a Decision establishing a
consultation and cooperation procedure in the field of
tourism(4 ) .
Conscious of the importance of reinforcing actions concerning
this sector in view of the completion of the internal market ,
the Commission , in November 1987 , organised a Conference on
" Tourism : horizon 1992 " involving public and private operators
of the sector . This Conference represented a valuable forum of
information and exchange and produced a large consensus on the
Commission 's action and its objectives . Member States
confirmed this consensus , notably at the informal meetings of
the Ministers responsable for tourism in Gllicksburg on 6 May
1988 and in Rhodes on 3 September 1988 .
The European Parliament , for its part , has been very
favourable to a Community commitment in the tourism sector . It
adopted , on 22 January 1988 , a Resolution on the facilitation ,
promotion and financing of tourism in the European
Community(5 ) in which it proposed a large number of actions
supporting these objectives and "demands in particular that
1990 be declared " European Tourism Year ".
( 1 ) COM ( 82 ) 385 final
( 2 ) Bull , of EEC Suppl . 4 / 86
( 3 ) O.J. C 340 of 31.12.86
( 4 ) O.J. L 384 of 31.12.86
( 5 ) O.J. C     49 of 22.02.88
                                                                      Z
 ---pagebreak---                                  2
During the above mentioned informal meetings , the competent
Ministers also expressed their interest in such an initiative
and indicated that the proposed declaration of the European
Year for 1990 should include projects and competitions for a
better seasonal and geographical distribution of tourism .
Taking account of these facts , the Commission considers that a
European Tourism Year could positively contribute to the
preparation of the large area without frontiers for 1992 , will
promote a better  knowledge of the cultures and ways of life of
our countries by  our citizens especially by young people and
moreover help to  underline the importance of the tourist
industry for our  economic development .
Representing 5,5% of the gross domestic product and 6% of
total employ ement in the EEC , the tourism sector deserves to
be considered in the effort undertaken by the Community for
the completion of the internal market by 1992 .               i
In order to benefit from the new possibilities offered , the
numerous small and medium sized entreprises of the sector ,
must adapt to the unified market of 320 million inhabitants ,
to increased competition and to the new information
technologies .
But one cannot forget that tourism interests also 180 million
citizens of Community Member States taking holidays every year
outside their home country as well as those travelling for
their different interests and activities . In fact there is no
better way of learning the language , the culture and the way
of life of neighbour countries than to live in them for some
time . For young people especially , foreign travel represents
nowadays , more than a simple recreation , but rather a
necessary means of perfecting their education and vocational
training .
More than any other continent , Europe bases its touristic
appeal on its rich historical and cultural heritage . The
creation of a Europe without frontiers will have a
considerable effect also on travel and exchanges between our
citizens . For this reason culture and tourism will play
together a growing role in coming years , confirming the
positive interaction between these two sectors .
Two years away from the creation of a large space without
frontiers , our citizens , and especially young people ; will be
encouraged to visit their counterparts and in this way to
become more aware of the existence of the Community .
               tø
                                                                 2
 ---pagebreak---                                  3
In order to achieve its primary objective , the improvement of
mutual knowledge of the peoples of Europe , the Commission
considers that the Year must strenghten action concerning
cultural tourism as well as off-season tourism, two concepts
that easily integrate . One has to avoid overloading transport
infrastructures and touristic equipment during the high season
in 1990 . On the contrary , this Year must be the occasion of
demonstrating the positive effects of a coordination between
public and private economic operators in the tourism sector in
order to facilitate the staggering of holidays and therefore a
better service for tourists off-season .
The proposal concerning a European Tourism Year submitted by
the Commission to the Council follows this line .
The Council is therefore invited to adopt the decision
concerning a programme of action for the European Tourism
Year ( 1990 ).
                                                                *
                                                              I
 ---pagebreak---                   COUNCIL DECISION ( EEC ) N *.../...
                  of .
                       on an action progi'amme
                 for the European Tourism year ( 1990 )
TME COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
Community and in particular Article 235 ,
having regard to the proposal from the Commission , ( 1 )
having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament , (2 )
having regard to the opinion of the Economic an Social
Committee , (3 )
Whereas the integrating role of tourism can be availed of in
order to promote the achievement of the large area without
frontiers of 1992 ;
Whereas tourism promotes greater mutual knowledge of cultures
and life styles of Member States among their citizens ,
especially young people ;
Whereas tourism represents an economic sector of major
importance for Members States of the Community ;          ,
Whereas the European Parliament in its Resolution of 22
January 1988 on the facilitation , promotion and financing of
tourism proposed that 1990 be declared the European Tourism,
Year ;
(TT
(2)
(3)
 ---pagebreak--- Whereas the Ministers responsible for tourism stressed
the importance of tourism for the completion of the internal
market at their informal meetings of 6 May 1988 and 3
September 1988 ;
Whereas the most serious problem confronting tourism in Europe
is its over-concentrat ion in the high season with congestion
of trasport and accomodation services as well as detrimental
effects for the natural and man-made environment and
under-utilisation of capital and human resources in the
low season ;
Whereas it is therefore important to encourage a better
utilisation of existing tourism infrastructure and equipment
and that European Tourism Year should present a valuable
opportunity of attaining this objective ;
Whereas European Tourism Year can promote greater
awareness throughout the Community of the opportunities and
benefits of all-year round tourism for the regions of the
Community ;
Whereas efforts should be made during European Tourism Year to
encourage citizens of all Member States , especially young
people , to travel abroad to acquire greater awareness of the
reality of Europe ;
Whereas specific powers for this purpose are not expressly
provided for in the Treaty and Article 235 must , therefore , be
invoked ;
Decides ,
                            Article 1
1990 shall be declared European Tourism Ye$r
 ---pagebreak---                                         3
                                   Artide 2
 The objectives of European Tourism Year are to :
          prepare the coming of the large area without internal
          frontiers using the integration role of tourism to
          advantage ;
 -        promote greater knowledge of cultures and life styles by
          citizens of Members States especially the young ;
 -        stress the economic importance of the tourism sector in
          the completion of the internal market ;
          promote a better distribution of tourism over time and
          location , the staggering of holidays , alternatives to
          mass tourism and new destinations ;
   - promote increased awareness of the importance for tourism of a high quality
      environment ;
   - promote intra-Community and international tourism in Europe and improve the
      freedom of movement for travellers .
  These objectives will be pursued through co-ordinated
  activities'of the Community , Member States and private
  organisations .
                                    Article 3
 The amount for the implementation of the programme for European Tourism Year ,
 within the limits of appropriations included in the annual budyet , is b MECU ,
.subject to approval by the budgetary authority or any amendment which it might
 .. ake .   The arrangementsfor
  financing the programme are described in Annex I which forms
  an integral part of the present Decision .                ,
                                   Article 4
 The Commission , in consultation with the Steering Committee ,
  ehaj l take appropriate measures to implement the programme ,
 particulary in regard to the co-ordination of public and
 private tourism organisations in the Member States .
 ---pagebreak---                                       4
                                 Article 5
 The Steering Committee , shall - be chaired by a representative of
 the Commission and           comprise representatives of Member
 States . Representatives or professional tourism organisations
 at Community level will be invited to participate in the work
 of the Committee as observers .
 The Committee shall be consulted on the subject of the
 preparation and co-ordination of the activities mentioned in
 Annex I .
 At the request of the Chairman or one of its members , the
 Steering Committee may consider any other question relating to
 the objectives mentioned in Article 2 .
                                 Article 6
 Member States which wish to receive Community financial sup¬
 port for the pursu it . of the actions mentioned in Article 2
 will be invited to identify projects as mentioned in Annex I
 that are suitable for Community financing and to monitor their
  implementation and report to the Commission of the European Communities .
                                 Article 7
The Commission shall inform the Council and the European Parliament of the
progress of the work and shall submit a final report on the implementation
of the programme to the Council and to the European Parliament .
  Done at                               For the Council
                                            President
 ---pagebreak---                                                      ANNEX I
ACTIVITIES ENVISAGED FOR EUROPEAN TOURISM YEAR
A . Activiti e s without fi nanc ial i mplica tion s for the Community
    budget
    Voluntary action'to be undertaken by public and private
    operators    in the Travel / Tour ism sector :
    - price reductions in transport and accomodation during
       the low season
    - use of the common logo and slogan of European Tourism
       Year in regular publicity campaigns
    - spread of information on European Tourism Year through
       the mass-media . ■
B . Activiti es_co-f inanced by the Community budget
    1 . Pilot actions by public and private bodies to encourage
        new approaches to promote off-season tourism and cultural ,
        rural and social tourism .
                                         estimated cost       1.000.000 Ecus
    2 . Actions by public and private organisations to develop
        travel by young persons between the ages of 15 and 25                *
        aimed at greater knowledge of cultures and life-styles
         of other Member states .
                                          estimated cost      1.000.000 Ecus
         Financial assistance of up to 40% of the cost of the
         operation could be granted . Applications for grants should
         be submitted to the Commission by Member States after they
         have made an initial choice of projects on the basis of
         potential efficacity to attain the objectives set out in
         the Decision .
                                                          . *
 ---pagebreak---                              - 2 -
       The Commission after receiving the opinion of the steering
       Committee provided for in Article 5 of the Decision on the
       applications submitted by Member States in regard to eligi ¬
       bility , priority and, as far as possible equity of distribu¬
       tion at Community level, will inform the Committee of its
       decision to support or reject particular projects or request
       additional information .
       Decisions on grants will be taken quarterly by the Commission
       in respect of applications received in the preceding quarter
       according to the following table :
       Applications submitted during             Decisions to be taken
             1st quarter 1989                    end of 2nd quarter 1989
             2nd quarter 1989                    end of 3rd quarter 1989
             3rd quarter 1989                    end of 4th quarter 1989
             4th quarter 1989                    end of 1st quarter 1990
             1st quarter 1990                    end of 2nd quarter 1990
             2nd quarter 1990                    end of 3rd quarter 1990
       Projects selected for grants should be designated " Community
       projects for European Tourism Year".
       The competent authorities of the Member States shall have
       the responsibility for the control and carrying out of
       Community projects for European Tourism year .
        On their completion, they shall submit payment applications
        to the Commission accompanied by a report on their execution
        and all necessary proof of costs incurred .
C. Activities to be fi nanced ent i re ly f rom_t he_Commun2l^_Budgc t
   1 . Administrative expenses and year logo
       - remuneration of temporary staff engaged by the Commission
       - rent of office and equipment for preparation of European
          Tourism Year
       - logo for European Tourism Year .
                                       Estimated cost 1989    300.000 Ecus
                                       Estimated cost 1990    500.000 Ecus
                                                                           A0
 ---pagebreak--- 2 . Compétitions and prizes
    Prizes for competitions shall be provided as follows :
    - Best organisation of welcome of tourists by a town
       or village in each Member State
                                     Estimated cost    15.000 Ecus
    - Best welcome for young people by youth hostel or
       similar establishment in each Member State
                                     Estimated cost    72.000 Ecus
    - Best organisation , presentation and promotion of three
       cultural itineraries involving several Member States .
                                     Estimated cost    75.000 Ecus
    - Best artistic production by young people on the theme
       of travel in Europe :
       1  photographie compétition : Estimated cost    45.000 Ecus
       1  short film competition   : Estimated cost    45.000 Ecus
    - Best tourism display in a secondary school
                                     Estimated cost    24.000 Ecus
    - Best drawing of travel in Europe in a secondary or
       primary school .              Estimated cost    24.000 Ecus
                               TOTAL ESTIMATED COST   300.000 Ecus
3 . [ nferratien and publicity campaigns
     In the mass media of all Member States for off-season tourism ,
     cultural , social and rural tourism and other means of
     information on alternative destinations .
                                     Estimated cost 1989   900.000 Ecus
                                     Estimated cost 1990 1.000.000 Ecus
 ---pagebreak---                           Financial Sheet
Relating to proposed Council Decision ( EEC ) N *.
regarding the Declaration of a European Tourism Year 1990
                                                            I
1•   Budgetary   Line concerned :
     B 587 "Actions in the field of Tourism "
2.   Budgetary availability for Current Year
     2 MECU
3.   Carry-over amounts approved or requested by Commission
     Nil
4.   Expedlture resulti.ng from prososed Decision
4.1  for current year - nil
4.2  for succeding years :
     An allocation of 5 MECU over 2 years , subject to the
     availability of annual appropriations .
         1989                 1990                 TOTAL
       1.200.000            3.800.000            5.000.000
5.   Other financial consequences of the Decision :
     The preparation of European Tourism Year will lead to a
     considerable increase of work-load necessitating
     additional equipment and staff for a certain period .
     Budgetary provision is made for this under
     " Administrative costs " in the detailed financial
     description .
 ---pagebreak---                                2
6.   Calculation method
     A detailed financial description figures in the following
     table                                                        ,
              ITEM               1989       1990      TOTAL
 Co-financing of pilot actions
 to promote off-season as well           1.000.000  1.000.000
 as cultural , rural and
 social tourism
 Co-financing of actions to
 develop young persons                   1.000.000  1.000.000
 tourism
 Administrative costs
 including temporary personnel
 and E.T.Y. logo                 300.000   500.000    800.000
 Prizes and competitions       –           300.000    300.000
 Information and publicity
 campaigns in the mass-media     900.000 1.000.000  1.900.000
 to promote off-season
 tourism cf all kinds
 TOTAL                         1.200.000 3.800.000  5.000.000
                                                               •4
                                                            I
 ---pagebreak---                             COMPETITIVENESS ANO EMPLOYMENT IMPACT STATEMENT
        Sub J.*■£■?■ : Proposal for a Council Decision on an action programme for the
                         European Year of Tourism ( 199U ).
  1 . What is the main reason for introducing the measure ?
       The main reason reason for introducing this measure is to provide a framework
       for the demonstration of policy measures to combat seasonality and tourist
       concentration which are the main concerns of all Member States in tins field,
       and additionally to prepare the tourism industry for the completion of the
       internal market .
 2 . Features of the businesses in question .             In particular :
       ( a ) Are there many SME 's ?
      ( b ) Have any mergers been noted in any regions which are :
                      ( i ) eligible for regional aid in the Member States ?
                      ( ii ) eligible under tne £RDF ?
      ( a ) The tourism sector in all Member Stales is compr i sod prcdorn in.mt ! y u I :. ME * s .
      ( b ) There are no notable mergers of businesses in this sector .
3 . What direct obligations does this measure impose on businesses ?
     This measure does not impose any direct obligations on businesses .
                                                                                    I
A. what indirect obligations are local authorities likely to impose on businesses ?
     Local authorities are not likely to impose any indirect obligations on
     businesses .
 ---pagebreak---                                         r 2
                                                                                *
  5.  Are there any special Measures in respect of SME 's ?
      Please specify .
      All the measures envisaged in the action programme are in favour of the
      businesses in the tourism sector/ which are mainly SME 's .
  6.  what is the likely effect on :
      ( a ) the competitiveness of businesses ?
      ( b ) employaient ?
     The effects on both the competitiveness of businesses and employment are
      likely to be positive .
  7. Have both sides of industry been consulted ?
     Please indicate their opinions .
     A meeting was held in March 1938 with the representatives from the Member
     States together with public and private operator* of the tourism sector . The
     proposed initiative was received with considerable interest by all parties
     who pledged their support to cooperate with the Commission in its preparation .
i