European Commission Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General Sustainable Tourism in Europe: Chances & Challenges Podgorica 26 May Edward Tersmette

The “weight” of tourism in Europe  4% of the Community GDP  4% of the total labour force  8 million jobs But with the related sectors:  11% of the Community GDP  12% of the total labour force  24 million jobs

Promoting Sustainable and Competitive European Tourism  Since 2001 :Communications  TSG Report: Feb `07  Public Consultation  Agenda for a Sustainable and Competitive European Tourism (Oct `07)  ETF 2007

Key challenges for the sustainability of European tourism 1. Reducing the seasonality of demand 2. Addressing the impact of tourism transport 3. Improving the quality of tourism jobs 4. Maintaining and enhancing community prosperity and quality of life, in the face of change 5. Minimising resource use and production of waste 6. Conserving & giving value to natural/cultural heritage 7. Making holidays available to all 8. Tourism as a tool in global sustainable development

Principles for achieving a competitive and sustainable tourism Take a holistic and integrated approach Plan for the long term Achieve an appropriate pace and rhythm of development Minimise and manage risk Reflect impacts in costs Set and respect limits, where appropriate Undertake continuous monitoring Use best available knowledge Involve all stakeholders

The European Agenda Sustainable Management of Destinations Sustainability Awareness by Tourists Integration of Sustainability Concerns by Businesses

The role of the European Commission  Mobilising actors to produce and share knowledge  Promoting destinations of excellence  Mobilising the EU financial instruments  Mainstreaming sustainability and competitiveness in Commission policies.For the latter knowledge and analysis of existing policies and jurisprudence are indispensable

Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (a)  Article 2 E  The Union shall have competence to carry out actions to support, coordinate or supplement the actions of the Member States. The areas of such action shall, at European level, be:  (a) protection and improvement of human health;  (b) industry;  (c) culture;  (d) tourism;  (e) education, vocational training, youth and sport;  (f) civil protection;  (g) administrative cooperation.

Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union TITLE XXI ‘TOURISM ’ Article 176 B 1. The Union shall complement the action of the Member States in the tourism sector, in particular by promoting the competitiveness of Union undertakings in that sector. To that end, Union action shall be aimed at: (a)encouraging the creation of a favourable environment for the development of undertakings in this sector; (b)promoting cooperation between the Member States, particularly by the exchange of good practice. 2. The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall establish specific measures to complement actions within the Member States to achieve the objectives referred to in this Article, excluding any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States.

Thank you for your attention Mathieu Hoeberigs tourism/index_en.htm