European Tourism

Policies of the European Union concerning Tourism in Europe

The EU tourism industry generates more than 5% of the EU GDP, with about 1,8 million enterprises employing around 5,2% of the total labour force (approximately 9,7 million jobs).

When related sectors are taken into account, the estimated contribution of tourism to GDP creation is much higher: tourism indirectly generates more than 10% of the European Union's GDP and provides about 12% of the labour force.

FACT SHEETS

Key EU Policies

• Cooperation in Tourism
• CALYPSO - Social Tourism

Promoting EU Tourism

• Sustainability and Competitiveness of EU Tourism
• Community's Commitment for Tourism
• EU Programmes, Funds, Initiatives

EU Enterprise and Industry Contacts

LATEST NEWS

Skiers swish down the slopes... on Danish flatlands — 13 February 2012, 09:43 CET

Building a ski slope when you live in Denmark's flatlands may seem like a pipedream, but not for one intrepid cereal farmer.

Euro Disney reports that sales edge up — 07 February 2012, 13:30 CET

Euro Disney, which operates a giant Disney resort near the French capital, said on Tuesday its first-quarter sales rose 1.1 per cent despite difficult conditions as it attracted more visitors.

Football: Whose Euro 2012 base-camps are where — 06 February 2012, 19:15 CET

Thirteen of the 16 teams qualified for Euro 2012 have favoured Poland over tournament co-host Ukraine as the location for their base-camps, including five who will play their group stage matches in Ukraine.

Football: 13 of 16 Euro 2012 teams pick Poland over Ukraine — 06 February 2012, 18:18 CET

An overwhelming 13 of the 16 teams qualified for Euro 2012 have opted for base-camps in Poland, tournament organisers said Monday, leaving fellow-host Ukraine virtually out in the cold.

Football: Fan lobby set to caution Euro 2012 price hikes — 03 February 2012, 18:37 CET

Europe's football fan lobby is ready to take action amid raging concerns over snowballing accommodation prices in Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, it said Friday.

Tourism in Europe: Occupancy of tourist accommodation surpasses the pre-crisis level - Issue number 8/2012 — 31 January 2012, 22:50 CET

First results for 2010-2011 evolution of tourism in Europe, focusing on nights spent in collective accommodation establishments, but also looking at holiday trips made by EU residents.

Bulgaria opens to Schengen visa holders to boost tourism — 25 January 2012, 18:24 CET

Bulgaria said Wednesday it had decided to offer visa-free business and tourist travel to all Schengen visa holders, despite remaining outside Europe's border-free travel area.

EU launches talks with Kosovo on visa free regime — 19 January 2012, 18:05 CET

The European Union on Thursday opened talks with the authorities in Pristina aimed at allowing Kosovans to travel to the EU's passport-free Schengen zone without a visa, officials said.

EU greenlights US passenger data deal — 14 December 2011, 00:08 CET

European Union ministers have approved a deal with the United States to allow US authorities to keep airline passengers' personal data for 15 years, after a privacy outcry in Europe.

Football: Poland aims to reap rewards from Euro 2012 — 08 December 2011, 10:13 CET

Just six months before kick-off in Euro 2012, Poland is already looking far beyond the tournament as it eyes the long-term benefits of hosting the football showcase.

Football: Poland aims to smooth life for fans at Euro 2102 — 05 December 2011, 15:49 CET

Euro 2012 co-host Poland on Monday launched what it billed as a landmark one-stop-shop accommodation and travel service for the hundreds of thousands of fans expected at the showcase football tournament.

Football: Polish hotel prices leap for Euro 2012 — 01 December 2011, 22:11 CET

The hotel trade in Poland has jacked up its prices as the country prepares to host football's European championships next year along with neighbour Ukraine, where costs also look set to skyrocket.

Europe launches Chinese language tourism website — 01 December 2011, 22:36 CET

The European Travel Commission (ETC) on Thursday launched a Chinese language version of its tourism website in a bid to attract more wealthy Chinese holidaymakers to the crisis-hit continent.

Europe lagging in bid to streamline air traffic: EU — 25 November 2011, 17:24 CET

The European Commission told Britain, France and Germany on Friday they were falling behind in efforts to create a pan-European airspace that would cut costs and reduce flight delays.

US, EU sign airline passenger data sharing deal — 22 November 2011, 22:28 CET

The United States and the EU have signed a draft pact on sharing passenger data for flights between the two continents, which both sides have welcomed as a significant step forward.

Finland agrees to two-track Schengen for Bulgaria, Romania — 15 November 2011, 13:19 CET

Finland has dropped its opposition to membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Europe's passport-free Schengen area, allowing them to join in two stages, Finnish EU Affairs Minister Alexander Stubb said Tuesday.

EU, US pen new passenger data deal to ease privacy fears — 10 November 2011, 17:00 CET

The European Commission and the United States have penned a new deal allowing US authorities to keep airline passengers' personal data for 15 years, after a privacy outcry from Euro-MPs.

Euro Disney hit by EUR 56m loss despite higher revenue — 09 November 2011, 12:08 CET

French theme park operator Euro Disney on Wednesday reported a net loss of 55.6 million euros in the year to September due to decreased real estate profit and higher costs.

Aviation grappling with new taxes and rules: AAPA — 04 November 2011, 10:07 CET

Aviation will play a key role in global economic recovery but is struggling to cope with new taxes and regulations, the head of Asia's airline association said Friday.

Kosovo launches biometric passports — 31 October 2011, 16:57 CET

Kosovo on Monday started issuing biometric passports in the hopes of boosting its chances of obtaining visa-free travel to European Union's Schengen zone for its citizens.

Italian union urges better controls to save Pompeii — 27 October 2011, 19:12 CET

The cultural heritage wing of Italy's main labour union UIL has urged better surveillance of the ancient city of Pompeii after an ancient wall collapsed on Saturday following flash floods.

EU to give EUR 105m to help save Pompeii — 26 October 2011, 20:08 CET

The European Union will provide up to 105 million euros to rescue and restore the ancient archaeological site of Pompeii, European Commissioner Johannes Hahn said on Wednesday in Rome.

Bulgaria's Schengen accession 'matter of fairness': Barroso — 13 October 2011, 22:32 CET

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso Thursday backed Bulgaria's bid to join the visa-free Schengen area, saying accession was a "matter of fairness" once all requirements had been met.

New Visa Information System goes live - guide — 13 October 2011, 18:20 CET

The Visa Information System (VIS) started operations as from 08:00 CET today. Visa applications will now be processed much faster thanks to the use of biometrics (fingerprints and a digital facial image) which will facilitate the identification of visa holders and help to avoid identity theft. This new system will allow for a quick and effective exchange of data on short-stay visas among Schengen countries. The VIS will also reinforce the integrity of the system and strengthen trust among its member states. The first consular posts to be connected to the system are those in North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia).

EU, China to sign accord on tourism — 07 October 2011, 06:37 CET

The European Commission hopes to sign a joint declaration of cooperation in tourism with the Chinese authorities by year's end, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani announced.