The Launch of the Working Group Tourism on Tourism for Growth and Jobs Manifesto
On 25th of May SME Europe of the EPP, the European Travel Commission, Amadeus in cooperation with the European Tourism Manifesto stakeholders and MEP Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar hosted a Network Reception in the European Parliament for the launch of the Working Group on: Tourism for Growth and Jobs Manifesto.
The Tourism for Growth and Jobs Manifesto highlights the key EU Policy priorities for the sector in the coming years on topics ranging from skills and qualifications to sustainability and competitiveness of Europe´s tourism. Over 20 European organisations have already signed up to the Manifesto which seeks to ensure that the continent remains an attractive destination and that the sector continues to make a significant contribution to the EU economy. This sector stimulates economic growth by generating income, employment, investment and exports. It also generates valuable spin-off benefits, including preservation of cultural heritage, improved infrastructure, local community facilities and stronger awareness of European citizenship.
Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar MEP, Member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, Member of SME Europe, Chair of the SME Working Group on Tourism opened the reception by welcoming the attendees, and expressing her gratitude to all organizations, participating in the manifesto, and those who supported the event. She outlined that over 20 of Europe´s public and private tourism actors signed the manifesto and that it could not have come at a better time. She explained that in order for the manifesto speak with one voice, a new strategy is needed to do more for this important industry by creating sustainability and competitiveness for Europe´s tourism.
Dr. Paul Rübig MEP, the Honorary President of SME Europe pointed out in his speech, that the real world has to meet the virtual world, by modernizing infrastructure and creating a level of playing field.
The Keynote Speaker of the event was Antonio Tajani, the Vice-President of the European Parliament and Former Commissioner for Tourism and the Honorary Member of SME Europe. Mr. Tajani opened by emphasizing the significance of tourism as a leading economic sector, which seeks new advertisement strategy not only to sustain, but also increase competitiveness with other continents. He said that we need to develop the Tourism sector by investments, as it has always been a leading industry. The Vice-President also suggested, that we need to take care of the younger generations by offering them the best education, and reassuring them that there will be professional, skilled labour working in this industry. The actors and stakeholders of this sector need to work together to find solutions in cooperation with the European Parliament, European Commission and the Council of the European Union.
Juan Jesus Garcia Sanchez, the Senior Advisor of Amadeus IT, started his statement by introducing Amadeus saying, that it provides the technology, which keeps the travel sector moving. Therefore he also found it important to support the Tourism Manifesto from the beginning and he wishes to invite more stakeholders to participate.
The concluding speech of Eduardo Santander, the Executive Director of the ETC and Chairman of the manifesto, pointed out that nevertheless the sector in the European Union is losing competitiveness, it remains still the number one destination for tourism. “Now that we have a common voice through the manifesto, the needs of new economic policies could reach the European politicians much more easily, now we also have a chance to modify and create a new economic environment, which will bring the possibility of reform to the industry of Tourism.”
