Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-05-13-Speech-1-083"
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"en.20020513.7.1-083"2
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"Mr President, to a considerable number of regions in the Union, tourism is a significant source of income. It appears that, within the countries of the European Union, there is enough to attract both Europeans and non-Europeans in terms of nature, culture and in other respects too. The attractiveness of some regions is so manifest that the income from the tourism sector dominates, sometimes to a large extent, the revenue on the balance sheet. Certainly in those circumstances, prudence is called for. After all, tourism remains a luxury product that is largely dependent on the prosperity and sense of security of the world’s citizens. Even stagnation in one particular link of the tourism chain can have very detrimental effects on the sector as a whole. Recent events in aviation have illustrated this. This is why I should like to call on the policy makers to prevent, where possible, the unilateral bias on tourism by regions.
Not only is the tourism sector very dependent on factors outside of the sector, it is also characterised by a major influence of the seasons. This means, in addition to unilateral financial dependence, that only partial use is made of the labour potential.
Also, the ecological vulnerability of many tourist areas forms an important concern. Areas that are of outstanding natural beauty or that are culturally attractive experience a quantitatively large and growing influx of visitors. This puts such heritage under extreme pressure. The policy should take this point very much into consideration.
These findings do not minimise the problem, but highlight the seriousness of it, certainly if we realise that with the EU’s enlargement, a considerable number of regions will be added to the list of tourist attractions. This is another reason why the measures to be taken in the tourism sector should be well thought through.
We can endorse the overall gist of these remarks that are included in the present resolution. Our struggle concerns the level at which the specific problems would need to be solved and the role which the European Union is to play in this. The EU, especially with its economic and structural policy, undeniably has a great impact on the situation in many of the tourist areas. It is questionable whether adding more tasks to the package of the Commission will strengthen the tourism sector and the Commission itself. After all, most of the expertise about the tourism sector lies with the regions, the Member States and the sector organisations. Initiatives to provide incentives should therefore mainly originate in these bodies.
After this reconnaissance exercise, a number of incentive measures appear to us to be conceivable. As already stated, there is first of all a task for the regions, the Member States and sector organisations. I struggle to think who could match their knowledge and expertise. Not only measures aimed at tourism, but also at activities of other kinds must prevent unilateral dependence on tourism in the regions concerned. A European sector forum could play a useful role in this.
Secondly, the European Commission also has a part to play, not in setting up a specific tourism policy, but in synchronising those areas of policy that impact on the tourism sector. A sector which mainly comprises medium-sized and small businesses. Good communication and harmony between the relevant Commissioners and their services is desirable in this respect. In addition, the Commission will need to support the Member States in their endeavours to establish a stable economic situation in the regions. In our view, developing the versatility of a region is one of those supporting measures.
Thirdly, the European institutions do not appear to have any other role of significance or added value. Accordingly, the inclusion of a legal basis for tourism in the treaties does not receive our support.
In summary, areas which for a large part derive their economic
from tourism deserve attention and encouragement in order to offer them structurally sound prospects. All authorities involved have their own part to play. As far as the European Union is concerned, this means, in our opinion, that in the short term, particularly the synergy within the Commission deserves a boost. Accordingly, I have tabled a few amendments which I would warmly recommend."@en1
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