INDEED TOURISM MATTERS !

Tourism is a key sector of the European economy. It is an important driver of economic growth and job creation. It is the third largest socio-economic activity in the EU. Tourism accounts for 10% of the EU GDP if sectors linked to tourism are taken into account. The sector consists of ,about 1,8 million enterprises, employs 10% of the total EU labor force, and provides 12 million jobs. It comprises a wide variety of products and destinations involving many different stakeholders, both public and private: hotels and similar accommodations, travel agencies and tour operators, restaurants and destination management organizations.

Of the total 1.8 million companies, accommodation represents 14%, travel agent and tour operators 5% bars and restaurants around 81%. If the number of people employed is considered, the hospitality sector employs almost one fourth (23%) of the 12 million persons working in the industry while food and beverage activities less than three fourth (73%).

When considering the turnover, tourist intermediaries generate 24% of the 587 billion euro yielded by the industry compared to the 22% of the hospitality sector and the 54% of the bar and restaurants . The market is concentrated in four countries: Germany, Italy, France and Spain  where almost half of the activities are located (55% of accommodation, 45% of intermediaries and 58% of bar and restaurants).

• Europe is the world's number one tourist destination, with a market share of 52%. The number of international tourists arriving in the EU is forecast to increase by 140 million each year until 2025.
• Tourism represents a major socio-economic activity in the EU with a wide-ranging impact on economic growth, employment and social development, and it could therefore be instrumental in addressing the current economic and employment crisis.
• Tourism policy priorities contribute to at least three priorities of the Juncker Commission namely suitable growth and jobs, the connected digital single market and a deeper and fairer internal market.
• Coastal and maritime tourism is the largest maritime activity in Europe and it represents more than a third of the maritime economy employing 3.2 million people. The sector has been a lever for growth and job creation, particularly in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions.
• Sustainable, accessible and responsible tourism helps preserve the local environment and to bring lasting results in terms of regional growth, accommodates the increasing quality demands of travellers and helps companies to compete.
• European cultural tourism plays an important role in promoting Europe's rich cultural diversity, strengthens European identity and promotes cross-cultural exchanges and multicultural understanding.
• Regions play a fundamental role in the development and implementation of tourism-related policies at the regional level.
• Digitisation opens up a number of opportunities for travel companies in Europe.

In order to ensure that Europe retains its position of number one destination in terms of international tourist arrivals and support the development of a competitive and sustainable tourism industry, Commissioner Bienkowska has set out 8 priorities for the European Tourism Strategy. These priorities include:

1. Streamlining the regulatory and administrative framework impacting tourism;
2. Digitalization of tourism SMEs- building on the Digital Single Market initiative;
3. Upgrading skills and competences across the tourism sector;
4. Promoting sustainable tourism, among other through the adoption of a European Charter for Sustainable and Responsible Tourism;
5. Promoting tourism in the low and medium seasons, in particular for senior and young tourists;
6. Improvement of 'intermodality' and transport connectivity
7. Joint promotion of Europe as a tourist destination
8. Improvement of the governance structurre, both within the EU institutions and within the industry.