Brussels, 30/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European ministers of tourism and culture met in Naples on 30 October for their informal meeting, on the theme of Tourism and culture in Europe: innovative actions for jobs and growth.
The work was led by the Italian Minister for culture and tourism, Dario Franceschini. The ministers discussed subject such as cultural routes, the protection of cultural sites and heritage, and the revision of the regulation on visas, which is preventing tourism in Europe from reaching its full potential.
“We must focus more on tourism and culture. Not just because it is a key factor in our identity, but also because these allow us to reinforce dialogue with third countries, particularly the Mediterranean countries”, the minister said. The Commissioner with responsibility for tourism, Nelli Feroci, stressed the threat that the European Union could lose its place as the leading tourist destination in the world, as shown by recent statistics. He said that the member states need to work together, do more to develop cross-sectorial synergies and promote competitiveness by cutting the red tape in the administrative procedures weighing down on the sector, such as in the matter of visas. The informal meeting was followed in the afternoon by the 13th Tourism Forum (30-31 October).
In a press release, the network NET (Network for the European Private Sector in Tourism) called upon the tourism ministers to do all in their power to speed up the revision procedure of the EU regulation on visas, which has been held up at first reading at Council level for seven months, particularly over security issues, related to concerns of terrorist acts or attempted illegal immigration. This situation of stalemate is clipping the wings of tourism to European destinations, as 72% of the world's population has to apply for a visa to travel to the European Union, according to NET. Large markets such as China and Russia are large consumers of trips to Europe, but continue to be faced with lengthy procedures to obtain a visa. Simplifying the procedures could boost travel within the Schengen zone by 30% to 60%, NET continues. “We understand that a visa system is needed to protect the citizens, but we also need a visa system which is more consumer-friendly”, said Kent Nyström, chair of HOTREC. In the view of Tom Jenkins, CEO of ETOA, “visa obligations should remain rational and respectful” and “security issues should be carried out intelligently”. The president of ECTAA, Lars Thykier, added: “the tourism ministers need to shout about the benefits of improving the rules on visas”. (IL)