PRESS RELEASE- LAUNCH OF EUROPEAN TOURISM ADVOCACY COALITION (ETAC)

The Association of Accredited Public Policy Advocates to the European Union launches the EUROPEAN TOURISM ADVOCACY COALITION (ETAC)

Situation Analysis

 Efforts by airlines, distributors and online and offline travel agents to influence EU policy-making have been fragmented to date. On issues of common concern such as travel facilitation, inter modality, market access and a consistent consumer protection regime, messages have been muted due to a lack of cooperation and coordination. The European travel industry needs to engage policy makers with one voice to create more impact and deliver better policies for businesses and consumers. Hence, the need to highlight the sector’s value in job creation, its contribution to European GDP and the value travel and tourism brings to all four corners of Europe.

Tourism industry representatives have long argued that the EC's tourism officials should concentrate more on general EU legislative issues affecting tourism businesses, ensuring that tourism concerns are taken fully into account into the drafting of new legislation or the preparation of new policies. The interests of industry and policy makers must be aligned so that tourism's potential may be fulfilled. This entails effective policy development and coordination that involves proper consultation with the industry. There must be sufficient review of proposed EU measures to identify those that may affect tourism, and there must be proper consultation with the industry on all resulting policy proposals.

The creation of ETAC will ensure that the needs and priorities of travel and tourism are recognised, debated and addressed at the highest political levels with the goal of delivering a fully functioning travel market in Europe. ETAC will advocate for policies that promote travel to and within Europe and will be all inclusive targeting both public sector (National tourism administrations, Destination Management Organisations at national and city level, Provincial Governments and Local Communities) and the private sector (Accommodation, Food & Beverage, Recreation and Entertainment, Events and Conferences, Tourism Services, Transportation) in European tourism because it is important to involve both public and private stakeholders and create a platform for dialogue regarding legislation and regulations affecting tourism, infrastructure, promotion, vocational education and environment.

The Role of ETAC

ETAC’s core strategic priority will be to advocate on behalf of the collective travel industry within the European Union and to ensure that the concerns and interests of the travel community, and all those employed by it, are effectively represented within the EU decision-making process. ETAC will strive to achieve this goal through a variety of tools which include conducting extensive grassroots and grasstops outreach campaigns, coordinating comprehensive efforts, bringing industry leaders and government officials together to discuss issues critical to travel and tourism.

Key Objectives

• Research and communicate the impact of travel;
• Enhance and leverage the industry’s influence;
• Cultivate constructive cooperation and interest among corporations, organizations, and individuals participating in the European travel industry;
• Engage, inform and mobilize the industry;
• Provide a forum for members in which to network and act on matters affecting corporations, travel, and their individual interests;
• Advocate and protect the interests of members and their corporations or organizations on legislative and regulatory matters (easing of processes, removing barriers, managing threats to travel)

 Key Issues to be addressed

• An open market in services
• Lessening legislative, administrative burden
• Continued improvement in applicable visa regimes
• A competitive fiscal environment for business and consumers
• Freedom of movement for visitors and professionals into and within EU
• Improving perceptions of welcome, service, experience and value for money
• Operational cost control and efficiency
• Increased product range
• Capacity management to allow growth and maintain quality
• Adequate infrastructure and services for visitors including groups
• Fit-for-purpose booking and logistics systems
• Evolving products and services for existing and emerging origin markets
• Consumer protection and passenger rights
• Transparency and informed choice for consumers
• Improved infrastructure and service for visitors
• Environmental management
• Security
• Energy
• Foreign relations
• Inward investment
• Raising awareness of the general economic benefits of tourism.

 Targeted Coalition Members

• National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), National Tourism Authorities (NTAs), Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs)- Free Unlimited Subscription
• Destination Management Organisations (DMOs)/Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs)- Free Unlimited Subscription
• Travel Associations at both EU and Member State Level
• Corporations (Hotels, Airlines, Travel Agencies, Tour Operators)
• Media Friends- Free Unlimited Subscription
• Trade Shows and Events Organizers
• Colleges/Universities/NGOs

Proposed Advocacy Action Plan

Travel and destination movers-and-shakers in Europe must think globally but act locally to influence policy and political change. This means professionals in Europe need to unite under the message of tourism as an economic and job engine, but then ‘individually’ roll up their sleeves at the EU and national level to educate, communicate and build critical relationships with policy makers.

 Specific Actions

• Identify the key people in government (at both EU and national level) who influence tourism policy;
• Establish and strengthen relationships with Member State government stakeholders as well as with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and EU Commission officials;
• Develop advocacy materials that show how the tourism industry drives business and jobs in Member States and beyond;
• Feed key politicians and influencers a steady stream of real-time, localized and tourism impact data, such as how many jobs are supported, how much revenue is brought in, and what looming issues could negatively affect tourism and subsequently jobs and tax revenues;
• Have industry members tell about challenges or barriers they’re facing on visas, custom issues, transportation and aviation needs;
• Help to block legislation that would deeply cut government tourism budgets;
• Develop a Pan-European grassroots advocacy programme;
• Become more effective story tellers and partner with the media to communicate how tourism help combat economic and business worries by generating employment, promoting cities, supporting local communities and aiding in the understanding of local culture.

 For further information, please contact Mr. Christian D. de Fouloy, Chairman

e-mail: aalep@numericable.be

Website: www.aalep.eu

Tel: + 32 2 330 51 76

Mobile: + 32 497 48 21 11