European Tourism Policy: Encouraging and Promoting Sustainable Tourism Development - Essay Example

European Tourism Policy: Encouraging and Promoting Sustainable Tourism Development The European Tourism Forum in 2008 was organized by European Commission in collaboration with the French Presidency. It was held in Bordeaux (Amphitheatre du Casino Bordeaux) on 18-19 September, 2008. The main theme discussed was - "The European Tourism Offer: Quality and Sustainability vis--vis Demand Trends". It has been seen that the EU policy objectives concentrate more on higher spending tourists, improvements in quality and sustainability. The key challenges infront of the tourism department for better tourism sustainability development are to improve transportation to various rural, coastal as well as more urban destinations. It will improve quality employment, reduce seasonality of demand, conserve and preserve culture and heritage and various measures for betterment of travellers, countries and regions. It is also very important to be conscious of sustainability concerns leading to elitism along with meeting needs of those facing economic disadvantages and disabled ones. The tourism company has been very effective in applying most of these. For example making holiday tours in a budgeted way to most visited as well as rural and off beaten places. In the whole European economy, the employment rate of tourism is the highest. On Friday, September 19, 2008 in Panel 3 the agenda discussed was: "Towards Qualitative Employment in the EU". It has been noted that tourism helps in employing even the women, youth and less skilled ones as part-timers and with flexible working hours. But there is a serious need of skill development and job security for sustainable tourism development and to cater to the contributions to growth and employment. It is very important for the ministers in tourism to meet the annual Tourism Forum compulsively for overall tourism development in Europe. It should be taken into account that the central tourism budget is depended upon various areas and EU tourism policy including transport, environment, regional action and culture. On October 7, 2008 was dealt the issue of "EU funding and Networking opportunities for and in tourism". Economic and monetary integration of EU and the introduction of single currency for 15 member states is an important factor. It has also been greatly supported financially by various European financial instruments. From "2007-2013, the Structural Funds and other EU Programmes will financially support the development of tourism businesses, services and infrastructure." More funding is done by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in support of socio-economic development. ........ services and infrastructure." A renewed EU Tourism Policy: Towards a stronger partnership for European Tourism. 'anon'. For promoting tourism, A European Agenda 21 for tourism has been established. It is very obvious that growth of tourism goes hand in hand with social and environmental objectives. The renewed Lisbon Strategy is very essential for sustainable development: improving welfare and living conditions in a sustainable way for present and future generations. Along with this, the Commission points out that economic, social and environmental sustainability are greatly crucial. As a result the Commission launched the preparation of a European Agenda 21 for tourism. It includes: Taking international measures to support tourism related SMEs Growth and employment in tourism sector and business opportunities for SMEs. Providing quality of services and competitiveness. Exchanging of "tourism for all" good practice. Studying employment trends in coastal and sea-related tourism sectors and much more. Publishing a handbook: "How to set up Learning Areas in the Tourism sector" Collaboration with member states, industry and World Tourism Organization to fight against sexual exploitation of children especially by a few tourists. New tourist destinations are always being added now and then. The outer most regions, islands, mountainous regions, sparsely populated northern most regions etc. have been lately added. New competing destinations are emerging rapidly and developing further introducing unique and innovative products and services increasing the competition the EU is facing globally. For the satisfaction of tourists and to secure the No. 1 position in the world tourist destination, a more competitive tourism and sustainable destinations are needed. For marketing Europe as the most attractive tourist destinations, Commission also financed for the creation of European Tourist Destinations Portal including, information about Europe, travelling planning, recommendations on interesting sites etc. Vice President, Verheugen also stated, "Now 20 European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) to offer high quality and sustainable tourism." The main theme of EU Tourism forum is: "Quality and Sustainability" with three sub-themes including: Europe's Adaptability to World Tourism Demand Trends; Integrating Competitiveness and Sustainability Criteria in the Adaptation of the European Tourism Offer; Facilitating the Adaptation of EU Quality Tourism Jobs. So, the main stress is on quality and competitiveness acquiring sustainability of European Tourism worldwide and to boost growth and employment. On Friday, September 19, 2008 in Panel 3 the agenda discussed was: "Integration Competitiveness and Sustainability Criteria in the Adaptation of the European Tourism Offer". To improve the competitiveness of the European tourism industry the EU policy is based on the experiences gained till date along with considering the present day needs and demands. For e.g. the European Social Funds (ESF) co-finances targets the educational programmes and training to enhance "productivity and quality of employment and services in tourism sector." Competitiveness is also improved by taking various measures as: improving and extending use of Impact Assessment, screening all pending legislative proposals and just simplifying existing European leislation6. ........ employment and services in tourism sector." A renewed EU Tourism Policy: Towards a stronger partnership for European Tourism. 'anon'. The reflections of such funding in the field of tourism can be seen in rural, coastal as well as urban areas. For e.g. from past decade it has been seen that rural tourism has been an important source for providing diversification in holidays well integrated with farming activities as well as helps in developing overall rural economy. The demographic structure of Europe also has a huge impact on its tourism industry. If the number of people above fifty who travel increases, it would hugely benefit tourism. This way the ratio of the healthy older people i.e. above 65 would increase and inturn will increase the ratio of the travellers with much spending power than previous generations. In this way Health Tourism and the tourism related to cultural and natural heritage would surely experience commendable growth. With this, the demand for various types of tourism would also increase. And to meet the changing demand of demography there is a need for sustainability and to fulfil the demand for specific forms of tourism by improving European tourism's competitiveness. The Commission needs to develop close partnership with Member Regulation, in many policy areas. A new policy has been set as: "A renewed EU tourism policy: Towards and Stronger Partnership for European Tourism". This is significantly important for increasing competitiveness of the tourism industry and tourism destinations. Such partnerships are very necessary for promoting better regulation of tourism at national as well as international level being influenced by large number of policies affecting it. "Community institutions, national administrations, professional organisations, employers and employees, NGOs and researchers, should build up partnerships at all levels to improve the competitiveness and demonstrate the importance of European tourism. The development of the collaboration and partnerships in the framework of the renewed policy can be reviewed regularly during the European Tourism Forums." ...................... during the European Tourism Forums." A renewed EU Tourism Policy: Towards a stronger partnership for European Tourism. 'anon'. For preservation and conservation, various Member States, Regional and Local authorities of tourism industry in Europe need to: "... protect, preserve and restore European cultural heritage assets and [calls for] more rigorous management of cultural sites and their visiting arrangements, as well as for greater efforts to improve access for disabled people, an increasing number of whom are travelling for tourist purposes;..." Another supporting action for sustainability of European tourism is the development of official statistics to study the future implications of tourism industry. The International Forum on Tourism Statistics provides a unique platform for exchanging views and experiences for further developments. It is very useful in discussing the major technical issues faced by tourism industry and also strengthens the co-operation between governments, EU member, OECD and non-member organizations and countries. Various measures have been taken to develop and promote EU sustainable tourism. Tourism Unit of European Commission has been entrusted the responsibility to review and carry out these measures in a systematic manner. The general measure to establish an advisory committee has been taken and the Member States are required to consult it. Measures to protect tourists' health and safety are also recommended. Measures on market access, competition and small businesses. To provide professional tourist guides. To create a Community system of statistics in the sector. Measures to stimulate quality and competitiveness. And each time the new measure is proposed the Commission is consulted to review the cost-benefit analysis which is very important for sustainable growth of EU tourism industry. So, the economic importance of tourism on the country and overall development is clearly seen. Sources: 1. A renewed EU Tourism Policy: Towards a stronger partnership for European Tourism. 'anon'. October 25, 2008. 2. Sustainable Tourism. October 25, 2008. 3. European Commission. Enterprise and Industry Tourism. October 10, 2008. October 25, 2008. http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/tourism/index_en.htm Read More