Policy activity
ETOA and Policy
The impact of COVID-19 on the European tourism industry has been severe and our response to this unprecedented industry crisis is coordinated through our Coronavirus Hub.
Our work on behalf of our members is further enhanced by our Insight Hub.
We continue to lobby at a European, national and local level on the longer term issues that are critical to supporting the recovery of European tourism and delivering our mission of better tourism in Europe. These pages outline our work on these issues and illustrate ways in which members can get involved.
Sustainability
While illustrating its economic value is important, recognition of tourism’s potentially negative impacts is necessary. Anti-tourism sentiment is a risk to the industry even when unrepresentative of local opinion. Symbolic responses to perceived harm may bring short-term political benefit but can damage well-managed parts of the visitor economy. Cities change continually: there will always be winners and losers in the competition for local resources. We need an honest debate about the compromises and resources needed for tourism to develop in the interests of residents, visitors and business.
Visa policy
Europe’s share of global international tourism arrivals is declining. High quality visa facilitation and border processes are essential to support growth from emerging markets. Only 17% of the EU’s visitors come from long-haul markets. In 2017, growth in international arrivals to non-EU European destinations outpaced growth to the EU: 8% average for EU, and an average of 12% to non-EU southern and Mediterranean Europe, including Turkey. The appeal of non-European destinations is also developing fast: part of that appeal is visa-free travel and smart visa processes. Visa policy remains particularly subject to political risk.
Destination Engagement
Destinations need to be appealing places to live, work and visit. As tourism grows, so does the need for product diversification and smart capacity management. Increased demand, especially in certain sites or at peak times, puts pressure on attractions and infrastructure. The long-term interests of visitors and residents become lost in a polarised, over-simplistic debate. While problems related to tourism in famous cities capture the headlines, a growing visitor economy would be a welcome addition to many destinations, supporting much needed employment. Industry can help.
Tax and tourism
How tourism is taxed is the most influential factor on business viability. The added value of intermediation is often poorly understood. The EU is at a disadvantage for three reasons: it taxes tourism exports, the price of holidays to non-EU destinations is VAT-free, and local taxes have increased significantly. The increase in devolved tax-raising powers through overnight taxes and access charges was noted as a significant factor in competitiveness by the OECD in 2014. Visitors typically do not vote and they are any easy source of revenue. They do notice both price and service level, and they have a choice.
Package travel regulation
European package travel regulation was introduced in 1990 to protect consumers. In practice, it also suppresses innovation and causes market confusion. Much of the growth in retail travel took place outside the scope of the 1990 directive. Its successor came into force in July 2018 (PTD2) and includes welcome modernisation: no more should brochures be reprinted if prices change, electronic updates will suffice; compliance in one EU state is sufficient to sell to consumers in another; the addition of an ancillary service may not necessarily constitute a package. It also introduced the concept of a ‘linked travel arrangement’ that can give rise to several liability, and may therefore deter collaboration within the supply chain.
Brexit
The United Kingdom (UK) is set to leave the European Union (EU). ETOA would like to offer you policy and operational insights into the impact of Brexit on the tourism industry based on guidance published by the European Commission and UK Government.
Policy activity
ETOA attends public meetings, speaks at conference and other events. It lobbies for a better business environments for tourism, and a progressive strategy for the industry at all levels of government.
Strategic Industry Partners
