Debate: Saving the summer tourism season - EU support to the hospitality sector
Date: TUESDAY, 27 APRIL 2021
Speaker: Ana Paula Zacarias
Language: EN

The debate is very timely as we find ourselves at a critical moment to take decisive action in favour of tourism and the hospitality sector just before the start of the summer season in Europe.  Tourism is a key pillar of the EU economy with great potential for economic growth and for creating employment. It is also essential for forging our common identity and strengthening the mutual knowledge of our rich cultures. The COVID-19 crisis has put the sector under heavy economic strain. It has been particularly severe on SMEs, which in fact constitute the vast majority of the enterprises active in the tourism sector. Therefore, we have to act without delay in order to provide the necessary financial support to alleviate the lack of liquidity faced by many tourism businesses, to prevent massive job losses and to help the sector out of recession. We must also take into account that the tourism ecosystem will take longer to recover from the crisis than the other sectors as a large number of enterprises – mostly, as I said, SMEs – were not prepared and had no cushion allowing them to survive despite the measures taken by the Member States. In parallel, we have to make rapid progress in reversing the epidemiological situation and reducing the spread of the coronavirus by accelerating the vaccination process. This means increasing the production capacity for vaccines and ensuring their availability in all Member States, leading to an earlier resumption of safe mobility across Europe. In addition, we need to have a better coordinated approach to the lifting of restrictive travelling measures within the EU and towards third countries. All these matters were discussed at the informal meeting of ministers of tourism that was held on 1 March. The European Parliament also has a major role to play, together with the Council, in the approval of the Regulation on the Digital Green Certificate to facilitate the free movement of travellers within the EU as soon as possible under safe conditions. The Council has agreed on a mandate, and I very much hope that Parliament will adopt its position during this plenary session, so that interinstitutional negotiations can start without delay in order to have the framework in place for the summer. I will of course participate in this debate tomorrow. I’m confident that this certificate, if properly equipped with the necessary guarantees of non-discrimination and the protection of personal data, will greatly contribute to this objective. While the EU tourism sector is currently facing serious challenges, it also offers great opportunities for the future. The deep crisis can act as a catalyst to transform the sector, while maintaining Europe as a leading destination. The Portuguese Presidency encouraged all parties involved – Member States, the European Parliament, the Commission, the private sector – to promote and support the transition of European tourism from a model focused on quantitative growth to a quality-based approach, leading to sustainable development and quality jobs. Through digitalisation and innovation in tourism, we can achieve a more competitive and sustainable tourism offer in Europe, allowing for the emergence of new business models. For that purpose, we will also have to concentrate efforts and deploy the appropriate means for the development of the necessary skills, including digital skills.  Tourism policy should also contribute to reaching the EU climate goals and the objectives of the Paris Agreement in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Green investment by public authorities and private actors will be required in the coming years to strengthen competitiveness and support the sustainable growth of the tourism sector in Europe. This holistic vision can be set out in a coordinated European agenda for tourism 2030-2050, underpinned by shared priorities and functioning as a roadmap towards a sustainable, innovative and resilient tourism ecosystem. This is a key element of the Council conclusions on which we are currently working with Member States, to be adopted in May, and I’m glad to see that this common objective has also been reflected in Parliament’s report. The Presidency is committed to working with the other institutions, international organisations and tourism stakeholders on the development of a shared agenda for the future of the sector. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to invite the representatives of the European Parliament responsible for tourism policy to discuss all these issues at the High-Level Forum for Sustainable Tourism that the Presidency will hold on 14 May in Porto, in order to prepare the ground for the launch of the European agenda.