Brussels, 28/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a conference on "Tourism in the EU: Involvement and Challenges" on 27 September, in order to celebrate World Tourism Day, under the chairmanship of Hernández Bataller, president of its "Single Market, Production and Consumption" section, and which was attended by Mr Dimitriadis, vice-president of the EESC. Taking part were representatives of the European institutions, various organisations which are involved in tourism, and members of the EESC. "As the Commissioner for Industry and Enterprise Günter Verheugen highlighted, tourism is the leading economic sector which favours growth (...), and which is in the strongest position to achieve the Lisbon objectives for growth and employment", said Mandy Stevens of the British Ministry for culture, media and sport, who was there to represent the UK Presidency. She stated that the main challenge today is to make European tourism more competitive, which will call for the development of a coherent and more streamlined legislative framework (the bureaucratic burden weighing on businesses active in the sector, 92% of which are SMEs, must be reduced, she said), which will allow it to face up to competition from other countries. However, Ms Stevens warned against any kind of chaotic development, which would destroy environmental wealth and architectural treasures, due to the over-exploitation of certain destinations. There are other challenges to be faced, particularly the depreciation of jobs in the sector, together with a certain level of precariousness due to the seasonal nature of the activity, together with difficult hours and inadequate social protection (in certain Member States, 80% of young hotel management graduates, which is the main centre of activity in the field of tourism, leave the profession after two years, according to Kerstin Howald of the European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism Sectors and Allied Branches). Tourism must develop towards greater quality and sustainability, Ms Stevens concluded, a sentiment with which most of the audience agreed. She said that she was eagerly awaiting the political orientations- the first ever adopted by the EU in the field of tourism- of the European Commission to help the Member States develop this sector. These orientations will be presented in Malta by Commissioner Verheugen at the informal meeting to be held on 20 and 21 October by the UK Presidency.
Pedro Ortún, of DG Entreprise at the European Commission, pointed out the touristic vocation of Europe, whose historical and cultural heritage is recognised throughout the world, allowing it to lay claim to first place among the most popular destinations today. Mr Ortún nonetheless warned that the annual rate of growth has recently fallen to a modest 3%, compared to some 10% for destinations such as China or India. A common strategy between the Commission, the Member States and actors belonging to the sector is urgent and necessary, he concluded, because "only a joint approach will allow us to attain our objectives in terms of development of growth and job creation". Manuel Jaén, who was there to represent the Committee of the Regions and the Regional Government of the Balearic Islands, stressed the high levels of revenue generated by tourism in many regions of Europe and which, in some cases, is the main source of income. He particularly stressed actions which could be taken at regional level in order to steer tourism in other directions, quoting the example of the "Leisure 60" programme, which was launched in the Balearics 10 years ago to allow people aged 60 and above greater access to tourist activities, out of season and at attractive prices: "a runaway success", and one which also fulfils the recommended sustainability criteria, he stressed.