Brussels, 21/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - In Malta on 20 October, Enterprise and Industry Commissioner outlined the policy guidelines to be adopted by the Commission to develop tourism in EU Member States. Although the EU does not have any direct powers in this field, Verheugen felt it would be useful nonetheless for the Commission to contribute to helping this expanding industry not be outranked by competing tourist destinations. He said that to translate this policy into practice in the coming period the Commission will concentrate our actions in a number of areas favouring partnerships and optimal use of resources.
The European Commission's policy will focus on three main sets of actions: 1) Better Regulation and policy coordination. The Commission will not propose any new regulation unless it is absolutely necessary: 'We will be looking also to review regulation, such as the Special VAT regime for travel agents, if necessary,' said Verheugen. The Commission urges Member States to avoid cumulative administrative burden for the tourism industry, saying it would be concentrating on integrating tourism into other policies initiatives that may impact on tourism, like the maritime policy. 2) Improved use of the available European financial instruments. The Commission will not create any new financial instruments but will continue to aid the tourism industry in new Member States through the Structural Funds. 'We must all make sure that this money will be used efficiently, by exploiting all possible synergies amongst actors, projects and resources,' said Verheugen. 3) Actions addressing specific tourism-related issues. 'If tourism does not develop in a sustainable way, it endangers the natural and cultural environment,' said Verheugen: 'Ethics and responsibility are important components of the attractiveness and competitiveness of European tourism.' The Commission has set up a Tourism Sustainability Group, composed of representatives of all actors and aiming to make proposals to the Commission for the preparation, by 2007, of an Agenda 21 for the European Tourism. This should assure an adequate integration of the relevant EU policies and instruments to the goal of sustainability. 'At the beginning of next year the European Tourist Destinations Portal will be launched on the Internet. It will give access to the web sites of all European National Tourism Organisations. This unique access point to European tourism information should improve greatly the promotion of the attractive and diverse set of European destinations to the third countries.' 'It is worth exploring the possibility to establish a 'European destinations of excellence award'. This award would reward destinations chosen by the Member States as good examples… It should recognise and reward worthwhile efforts to promote sustainable tourism by all the stakeholders of the various destinations. It would promote the exchange of good practice and enhance the image of European destinations, without affecting the normal competition between the various destinations.' Gunter Verheugen added that in the next few months, the European Commission will be publishing a report on all the tourism priorities he outlined in Malta.