On Friday 18 March, the Ministers for Tourism of the EU Member States will discuss the issues of intra-European tourism and sustainable tourism at an informal meeting in Dijon.
The competent ministers will begin the day by addressing the issue of tourism by European citizens within the EU. In the context of a slow recovery from the health crisis and given that European citizens account for a large share of international arrivals in the EU, it is necessary to “put the emphasis” on this issue, said the French Minister Delegate for Tourism, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.
“There have certainly been significant revenue losses, but it is an attractive driver”, Mr Lemoyne added, adding that part of the discussions will focus on “best practice” in this area.
“Before, we were all in a kind of mindset where everyone played their own score, with very strong competition. It still exists, but we have developed this habit of talking regularly”, he stressed.
In addition, Member States are also expected to take stock of the issues of sustainable tourism and the digital and environmental transitions.
In this respect, particular attention should be paid to the European Commission’s proposal to create a ‘first transition path’ for the tourism sector. This text, presented last February by the European Commission, should make it possible to increase the resilience of tourism by working with professionals in the sector.
“Consultations are underway on this issue, and Member States will be able to take stock of what they expect from the Commission in terms of measures. Tourism is not an EU competence. Some Member States are keen to maintain the subsidiary nature of the Commission’s intervention”, said the French Minister Delegate.
Package travel and short-term rentals
The discussions will also cover two other topics, namely the revision of the Package Travel Directive and the forthcoming European Commission initiative on short-term and seasonal rentals.
“As regards seasonal rentals, this meeting will be an opportunity for the Commission to take the pulse of the Member States”, said Mr Lemoyne.
The same applies to the revision of the Package Travel Directive, where Member States will be asked to indicate the approach they would like to see.
“There are several approaches, via recommendations, amendments, a more in-depth review. It will be interesting for the Member States to give their feelings on this subject”, Mr Lemoyne said.
On 15 February, the European Commission opened a public consultation on the revision of the Package Travel Directive (see EUROPE 12891/9). This analysis should, among other things, make it possible to strengthen the mechanism of protection against the insolvency of operators in the tourism sector and to improve passengers’ rights (see EUROPE 12751/10).
Although the sector is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, the ‘Fit for 55’ package (see EUROPE 12764/10) is not expected to be one of the central topics of this informal meeting. Several parts of the package directly concern the tourism sector, starting with the decarbonisation of the aviation sector (see EUROPE 12903/17).
“This is not the place to debate ‘Fit for 55’. We need to learn lessons and make the sustainable transition a green thread, but the debate will be conducted more at the level of transport”, the French Minister Delegate replied to EUROPE. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)