Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton told MEPs in the Committee on Transport and Tourism on Tuesday 21 April that he intends to propose holding a European summit on tourism by October.
The tourism industry is one of the sectors most affected by the measures adopted to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to figures put forward by the Commissioner, the revenue losses for 2020 in the EU are at least 50% for hotels and restaurants, 70% for tour operators and travel agencies, and 90% for cruise lines and airlines.
“It is the most fragile fabric of our economy that is affected today”, Mr Breton lamented, pointing out that tourism represented 3 million European businesses, 90% of which are very small and most of which have fewer than 10 employees.
The TRAN Committee MEPs did in fact call for specific measures for tourism, more funding and enhanced coordination. The seven political groups called on the European Commission to present an action plan to help the sector cope with the current crisis.
Mr Breton has repeated many times that he would make tourism his “top priority” and explained that he was considering a two-step response.
Responding to immediate needs
“In the very short term”, the EU intends to respond to the immediate needs of businesses and provide them with a “safety net” by ensuring that the sector will quickly benefit from the various support measures already announced (see EUROPE 12462/3, 12457/18, 12461/17).
Mr Breton stressed in particular that the Commission would ensure that the EIB’s initiative to provide guarantees to European companies (see EUROPE 12468/8) would be implemented in the coming weeks.
The Commissioner also supported the idea of a dedicated budget line for tourism in the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027.
“How can we ensure that the aid will also go to smaller companies and not only to the big players in the sector? Have you considered economic and social criteria for allocating the money?” asked Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg (Greens/EFA, Germany).
Mr Breton replied that he was ready to reflect with the TRAN Commission. Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France), chair of the Committee, pledged that “we will be there to help you”.
The issue of reimbursement of cancelled benefits was also discussed. Urged to make the use of vouchers compulsory by MEP Marian Marinescu, speaking on behalf of the EPP, the Commissioner said it was important “that these vouchers be covered by an appropriate scheme to be protected against bankruptcy”.
“Thinking about what comes after”
For Mr Breton, however, any plan to revive tourism will have to be accompanied by an overhaul of the sector. “It was necessary before this crisis, it has become an imperative to get out of the crisis”, he said.
Tourism should, in his view, be at the heart of the European Green Deal, go digital and become more strategic.
This will involve, among other things, promoting local tourism and limiting ‘overtourism’; finding a balance between traditional players and digital platforms – “some becoming more digital, others more responsible” – and finally, protecting ourselves from “non-EU countries that might see the current crisis as an opportunity to acquire European gems at a reduced price”.
“It is our duty today to reinvent the tourism of tomorrow”: a more sustainable tourism, which responds to local issues, said Ms Delli, interviewed by EUROPE at the end of the hearing. The first step, she said, is to “cushion the economic shock”.
Finally, it should be noted that President von der Leyen’s daily meeting on 21 April included an item on the agenda entitled “Need for smart EU approach” for tourism. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)