EU Welcomes Commitments of Businesses and Authorities for a Greener, Digital and Resilient Tourism Sector in Europe
In a statement issued today, June 29, the EU Commission stressed that these promises stem from specific objectives developed jointly by the Commission and tourism stakeholders such as public authorities, destination management organizations, large and small companies, business associations, and NGO-s, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
In addition, it is worth noting that the promises are considered part of ongoing efforts to support a rapid recovery of European tourism and strengthen its resilience through sustainability and digitalization.
“For example, among the pledges published today, one region aims to have all their tourism service providers connected to an online booking tool by 2030, providing a commission-free regional online booking system,” the statement reads.
The Commission also revealed that other promises include the commitment of a cruise ship company to make all of the key materials used on board fully circular by 2025, followed by their ambitious actions in waste separation and water recycling.
“In addition, several regional authorities and destination management organizations have committed to establishing or have already established tourism strategies with concrete measures for increasing the share of sustainable services, the digital offer of information, and transparent mechanisms for collaborative governance with stakeholders,” the statement also noted.
As a result, the Commission concluded that the promises published today respond to the Commission’s call for tourism actors to participate in the implementation of the Transition Route for Tourism, an action plan that serves the transition of the sector, created in conjunction with industry stakeholders.
The call was answered by 112 organizations from 20 EU member states, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Moreover, many more promises are on standby and are expected to be published in the fall of 2022.
Previously, the Commission proposed that the EU budget be supplemented with an additional € 114 billion in grants under NextGenerationEU in order to boost the economy, maintain sustainability and create new job vacancies.
The Authority also explains that green and digital investment will remain the focus of the EU, while also addressing the urgent needs of the current crisis.
In this regard, Commissioner Johannes Hahn pointed out that the EU is continuing to present extraordinary amounts of funding only in order to support Europe’s recovery and address current and future challenges.
He also added that the budget remains an important tool that the Union has at its disposal to provide clear added value to people’s lives.