Press Release: European tourism: European Commission maps out ideas for the sector’s future

The European Commission presented on 14 November 2001 its ideas on how best to exploit the European tourism sector's competitive potential. Outlined in a Communication on “Working together for the Future of European Tourism”, the Commission highlights the need to enhance co-operation on and the consistency of tourism policies among the stakeholders involved in tourism. These include the European Commission, Member States, regional and local authorities, industry, associations, and tourist destinations. The Commission aims in particular to foster tourism's competitiveness and sustainability. Underlining tourism's contribution to sustainable development, with a special focus on environmental and cultural resources, is high on the list of recommendations, in accordance with the “Agenda 21” guidelines. With a view to providing the tourism industry with a political platform and improving co-operation and co-ordination, an annual European Tourism Forum, a key interface with stakeholder groups, is proposed.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/services/tourism/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/services/tourism/index_en.htm

---