1. Commission Tourism activities in the EU For a competitive and sustainable tourism: 2012 & beyond
Julia Adelsberger
DG Enterprise & Industry, Unit F.2
Co-operatives, Mutuals, CSR and Support of Tourism Industry
A new consolidated framework for the EU Tourism Policy Communication COM(2010) 352 final
Objective: to make European Tourism competitive, modern, sustainable and responsible
Key principles:
European or multinational dimension
European added value
Principles of subsidiarity and proportionality
Commitment from and involvement of stakeholders of the EU Tourism Industry to cooperate and jointly ensure a successful implementation
24 May 2012

2. The four axes of action
1. Stimulate competitiveness in the European Tourism sector
2. Promote the development of sustainable, responsible and high quality tourism
3. Consolidate the image and profile of Europe as home to sustainable and high-quality destinations
4. Maximise the potential of EU policies and financial instruments
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3. 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. Preserving & giving value to natural/cultural heritage
7. Making holidays available to all
8. Tourism as a tool in global sustainable development
Sustainability principles refer to the following 3 aspects:
1) environmental
2) economic
3) socio-cultural
A suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee long-term sustainability.
The sustainability of tourism covers thus a number of aspects: the responsible use of natural resources, taking account of the environmental impact of activities (production of waste, pressure on water, land and biodiversity, etc.), the use of 'clean' energy, protection of the heritage and preservation of the natural and cultural integrity of destinations, the quality and sustainability of jobs created, local economic fallout or customer care.
24 May 2012

4. Promote the development of sustainable, responsible and high-quality tourism (1/2)
Develop a system of indicators for a sustainable management of tourist destinations
Propose a European “Quality Tourism” label
Period of public consultation
From to
Develop a system of indicators for a sustainable management of tourist destinations
- the intention is to propose a system ( including a useful toolkit for destinations ) at the beginning of 2013
Propose a European “Quality Tourism” label, - the intention is to propose it as a legislative initiative by the end of 2012
based on existing national experience, to increase consumer security and confidence in tourism products and reward rigorous efforts by tourism professionals whose aim is quality of tourism service for customer satisfaction
24 May 2012

5. Promote the development of sustainable, responsible and high-quality tourism (2/2)
Propose a European Charter for a Sustainable and Responsible tourism
Establish or strengthen cooperation between the EU and the main emerging and Mediterranean countries to promote sustainable and responsible tourism development models
Propose a strategy for sustainable coastal and marine tourism
- charter should streamline existing charter initiatives into one single document setting broad principles of sustainable and responsible tourism
-consultation of stakeholders on the first draft of the charter (Feb-Apr 2012)
-possible adoption of the charter by the end of 2012/beginning of 2013
- Euromed seminar on sustainable tourism organised in Brussels June 2012
Propose a strategy for sustainable coastal and marine tourism
- public consultation to be launched mid May and results to be presented during the European Tourism Day ( 27 September 2012, Brussels)
- the Communication planned for 2013.
24 May 2012

6. Preparatory action European Destinations of Excellence “EDEN”
Objectives:
Enhance visibility of the emerging, non traditional European tourist destinations of excellence
Award sustainable forms of tourism
Create a platform for the exchange of good practices at European level, promote networking between awarded destinations which could persuade other destinations to adopt sustainable tourism development mode
EDEN 2007 “best emerging rural destinations”
EDEN “tourism and local intangible heritage”
EDEN 2009 “tourism and protected areas”
EDEN 2010 “aquatic tourism”
EDEN 2011 « tourism and regeneration of physical sites »
Forthcoming EDEN « tourism and accessibility »
In total 98 awared destinations ( around 400 runners-up )
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7. Key facts Accessibility (1) 80 million disabled people in Europe
77 million people over 65 in Europe
48%: disabled tourists in Germany who would travel more often if more accessible services were available
£ 300 m: contribution of international visitors with physical impairment to England
£ 2 bn: contribution of disabled travellers to domestic visitor economy in UK (2009)
€ 4 bn: Additional turnover from accessible tourism in Germany if facilities were improved.
Access is a right: Enshrined in the UN Convention for the Rights of People with Disabilities signed bythe EU and the 27 EU Members
GPB 2 = EUR 2,5
GPB 300 = EUR 368
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8. Accessibility (2) EP Preparatory Action 2012 Actions Planned in 2012
Budget: 1 million €
Objectives:
- To raise awareness
- To disseminate and reward best practices
- To improve skills
- To foster innovative solutions
- To promote more accessible services and facilities
- To incentivise and reward accessibility efforts
3 Calls for tenders to assess: EU-wide economic impact of accessible tourism (including travel patterns/demand), “performance check” of current supply (including information provision), mapping of dedicated skills
1 Call for proposals to reward operators who have made “accessibility” an element of their competitiveness
Use of existing framework contracts for promotional campaigns
To avoid a loss of potential travellers
All of the above mentioned actions, as well policy decisions in general, need to be based on solid information. Improving the socio-economic knowledge base for tourism has therefore been among our first concerns.
This is why we will establish a Virtual Tourism Observatory.
24 May 2012

9. Virtual Tourism Observatory (1)
origins: the 2010 Commission Communication
aim: make the tourism sector more competitive
target actions: evidence-based policy making needs
main task: improving the socio-economic knowledge base for tourism
offering quality and transparency: open to the public
24 May 2012

10. Virtual Tourism Observatory (2)
Main components:
Facts, figures and trends
Analysis and reports
Policy watch
Feasibility study: advice and database
Duration: 12 months Budget: +/- 270 kEUR
Bids: from 6 countries
Winner: Office for National Statistics (UK)
Contract signed in December 2011
Once up and running, it will provide socio-economic data on tourism at European level, policy analysis, together with a best-practice library for policies or policy watch
24 May 2012

11. Eurobarometer 2011-2012 (1) Eurobarometer (1)
Theme: Attitudes of Europeans towards Tourism
Fieldwork: January 2012
Number of countries: 34
EU-27, Croatia, FYROM, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Serbia and Turkey
Interviewed population:
This year’s bonus: Country fact sheets
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12. Theme: Attitudes of Europeans towards Tourism
Eurobarometer (2)
Theme: Attitudes of Europeans towards Tourism
15 questions:
Comparability and consistency with the past EB results: frequency and duration of travel
Better information on destination
Key disabling factors (e.g. crisis)
Satisfaction
Motivation
Future plans for holidays
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13. contact: entr.f.2@ec.europa.eu
Questions?
contact:
24 May 2012

14. Back up slides
Legislation
Cycling
Skills
ICT Platform
24 May 2012

15. Preparatory action « Sustainable tourism » Iron Curtain Trail (ICT)
( )
Objectives:
Promote environmentally sustainable tourism
Highlight the increasing importance of cycling tourism, its benefits and regional economic impacts
Promote a trans-border cycle-tourism trail, which follows the former iron curtain.
24 May 2012

16. Sustainable Tourism PA 2010
The call for proposals 2010 "Promotion of cycling tourism in the European Union as means of sustainable tourism development" .
Overall objective - to provide added value in improving the sustainability and competitiveness performance of European cycling tourism.
Specific aim - supporting and promoting cross-border and transnational cycling routes and cycle networks with a view of being able to contribute, directly or indirectly, to reducing CO2 emissions in the tourism industry.
Result: 6 cross- border/transnational projects awarded with grants for development and promotion of the Iron Curtain Trail – EuroVelo 13 as well as the St James Way – EuroVelo 3 cycle routes
24 May 2012

17. Sustainable Tourism PA 2011 (last year)
Scope and objectives enlarged to cultural tourism
Raising awareness of the contribution of different cultures to a common European identity,
Promoting the role of cultural tourism as a factor for sustainable economic development, European citizenship and intercultural dialog;
The call for proposals 2011: "Promotion of trans-national thematic tourism products in the European Union as means of sustainable tourism development" focused on the enhancement and promotion of different thematic transnational tourism products such as: routes/itineraries/trails (either physical or virtual) contributing to the development and promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism in Europe.
Result : 5 projects awarded with grants ( DanubeHIKE, Greenways4Tour, EuroVelo.com, LIMESTourism Connection and PER VIAM Pilgrim's Routes in Action - Via Francigena and the Pilgrimage Ways)
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18. 2012 follow up of the PA « Sustainable Tourism »
Implementation of projects awarded with grants in 2011
Sustainable Tourism PA expired. Integration of some of its objectives in the activities financed under the EIP.
EIP 2012 budget - tourism targeted actions - 6 mln euros in total for all tourism actions:
- a call for proposals forseen in the 2nd quarter on supporting the enhancement and promotion of trans-national thematic tourism products in the European Union as means of sustainable tourism development (1, euros).
Objectives:
- Strenghten transnational cooperation with regards to cultural and sustainable tourism
Encourage a higher involvement of small and micro enterprises and local authorities
Stimulate the competitiveness of the tourism industry by means of an enhanced focus on diversification of tourism thematic products
24 May 2012

19. Legislation on Environmental Aspects - 1
Eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS): voluntary tool available for any kind of organization aiming to improve its environmental and financial performance particularly with regard to:
energy efficiency
material efficiency
water
waste
Biodiversity
emissions
24 May 2012

20. Legislation on Environmental Aspects - 2
Eco-label for accommodation services and campsites whose products comply with a set of criteria. These criteria aim to set limits on the main environmental impacts from the three phases of the life cycle of tourist accommodation service (purchasing, provision of the service and waste). In particular they aim to:
limit energy consumption
limit water consumption
limit waste production
favor the use of renewable resources and of substances which are less hazardous to the environment
promote environmental communication and education
24 May 2012

21. Legislation on Environmental Aspects - 3
Environmental Impact Assessment: protect the environment and the quality of life by ensuring proper assessment of the environmental effects of public and private projects
Aspects covered:
Ski-runs, ski-lifts and cable-cars and associated developments
Marinas
Holiday villages and hotel complexes outside urban areas and associated developments
Permanent camp sites and caravan sites
Theme parks r
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22. Legislation on Environmental Aspects - 4
Bathing Water Quality: ensures that tourists have access to bathing water of adequate quality
An yearly report is published on the quality of coastal and freshwater bathing areas as reported by Member States for the beaches located within their territory. Maps and tables are made available with detailed information on specific bathing areas which can be helpful for tourists to decide on a tourism destination and also for tourist businesses, for example, in deciding on business expansion
24 May 2012

23. Create dedicated sections, based on skills, in EURES
Face global competition – deliver high-level services to more demanding tourists – upgrade skills – adapt to new technologies
Short term
Medium term
Long term
Create dedicated sections, based on skills, in EURES
Mainstream tourism skills in other EU policies
Ensure transfer of best practices
Develop a Tourism Skills Competence Framework
24 May 2012

24. Skills (2) Main objectives EURES Mainstreaming Competence framework
- Align and bring together offer and demand of the sector
- Enhance mobility – follow tourism season
- Hospitality ongoing,
others to follow
- Secure adequate attention to tourism
- Ensure cooperation and synergies between programs
- Take stock of good practices, materials and facilitate transfer
3 steps:
Map requirements
Identify gaps in provision of training
Fill the gaps
24 May 2012

25. „Stimulating ICT innovation for SMEs in the tourism sector”
ICT Initiative
1.Policy
2.Technological
3. Operational
High level group
Sherpa group
„Stimulating ICT innovation for SMEs in the tourism sector”
Business support portal
Counsel and advise
HLG: 1x/year
Sherpas: 2-3/year
Call awarded to TourismLink Consortium (Hotrec, ECTAA, ITH and ZN)
17/1/ Kick-off meeting
Call for tenders: before summer break
Practical support portal for tourism businesses
Results 2012/2013
24 May 2012
Business focus