European Tourism

EU moves to end state rail monopolies — 10 January 2013, 17:50 CET

In proposals likely to infuriate Germany, the Commission will this month urge an end to Europe's last rail monopolies and so open the lucrative passenger market to competition from 2019.

Armenia eases visa rules for EU countries — 10 January 2013, 13:41 CET

Armenia on Thursday lifted visa requirements for EU travellers in a bid to build closer ties with the 27-nation bloc and balance Moscow's sway on the ex-Soviet state.

EU misses cost-cutting 'Single European Sky' deadline — 04 December 2012, 17:34 CET

EU Member States have missed a key deadline in a drive for a safer, cheaper, more climate-friendly "single" European sky, triggering warnings by Brussels of imminent legal action.

Russia warns EU of visa retaliation — 27 November 2012, 11:57 CET

Russia on Tuesday warned the European Union that Moscow was considering retaliation if the bloc further delays dropping visa requirements for Russians.

EU visa policy — 07 November 2012, 17:03 CET

The border-free Schengen Area cannot function efficiently without a common visa policy which facilitates the entry of legal visitors into the EU, while strengthening internal security. The EU has set up a common visa policy for short stays, i.e. stays up to three months, which is applied through the delivery of so-called "Schengen visas". In 2011, the present 26 Schengen States issued around 12.6 million Schengen visas.

EU looks at easing visas for Russians, Chinese — 07 November 2012, 18:50 CET

With newly-affluent Russians and Chinese queuing up to tour the EU, Brussels has urged European nations to facilitate travel visas to help spur badly-needed economic growth.

Visa checks 'useless against terrorists': Commissioner — 29 October 2012, 20:38 CET

The European Union should make it easier for foreign tourists to visit the bloc, a senior EU Commissioner said on Monday, arguing that ardent visa checks did little to keep determined terrorists out.

EU to sanction states in bid to cut air traffic delays — 11 October 2012, 14:16 CET

The European Commission said Thursday it will take legal action against EU governments over a decade-long failure to make a reality of a "single" European airspace that would slash costs and delays.

New Maritime Agenda — 09 October 2012, 13:51 CET

A European agenda for creating growth and jobs in the marine and maritime sectors was adopted on 8 October by European Ministers for maritime policy and the European Commission at a conference in Limassol organised by the Cypriot Presidency. Five years after the launch of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy, the Member States and the Commission reaffirmed that a dynamic and coordinated approach to maritime affairs enhances the development of the EU's 'Blue Economy' while ensuring the health of seas and oceans.

EuroDisney gets EUR 1.3bn loan from Walt Disney — 18 September 2012, 22:51 CET

Euro Disney, the struggling theme park near Paris, said Tuesday that it has received a loan of 1.3 billion euros from its parent the Walt Disney company, allowing it to refinance a large part of its existing debt.

Water Framework Directive and monitoring — 03 August 2012, 16:27 CET

The Water Framework Directive covers all waters, including inland waters (surface water and groundwater) and transitional and coastal waters. Article 8 of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets out the requirements for the monitoring of surface water status, groundwater status and protected areas: "Monitoring programmes are required to establish a coherent and comprehensive overview of water status within each river basin district." The objective of monitoring is to establish an overview within each River Basin District. It should also permit the classification of all surface water bodies into one of five classes and groundwater into one of two classes.

Parasols on strike as Italy's private beaches protest — 03 August 2012, 16:29 CET

Thousands of Italy's private beaches kept their parasols closed in peak summer season on Friday in a symbolic protest against a new European Union directive that could force many to shut down.

Russia, Italian firm sign EUR 1bn Caucasus tourism deal — 23 July 2012, 11:33 CET

Russia and a top Italian construction firm on Monday signed a deal worth 1.0 billion euros to build infrastructure for developing tourism in the violence-plagued Northern Caucasus region.

Poland aims to reaps long-term rewards from Euro 2012 — 23 July 2012, 00:36 CET

With the dust settled on Poland's disappointing campaign at the European football championships, the country is upbeat about what it sees as a resounding success off the pitch.

Flight cancellation insurance must be sold as 'opt-in': EU — 19 July 2012, 12:19 CET

Sellers of online air tickets must indicate the final price as well as surcharges and fees but cannot include flight cancellation insurance by default, the European Court of Justice ruled Thursday.

Life-saver 'eCall' system for new cars urged by MEPs — 03 July 2012, 17:58 CET

The European Parliament on Tuesday demanded all new cars be forced to be equipped by 2015 with an electronic emergency system known as eCall.

EU sets conditions for Kosovo visa free regime — 14 June 2012, 15:39 CET

The European Union on Thursday handed Kosovo a stringent list of almost 100 conditions to meet before Kosovans can travel to the EU's passport-free Schengen zone without a visa.

Quality of bathing water - 2011 bathing season — 23 May 2012, 15:31 CET

To allow Europeans to make an informed choice on which beach to choose, an annual report on the quality of coastal and freshwater bathing areas, as reported by EU Member States is prepared. This year the report has been prepared by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in cooperation with the European Commission DG Environment. The report assesses the bathing water quality in all 27 EU Member States in the 2011 bathing water season and thereby gives an indication of the areas where the quality of bathing is expected to be good this year.

Tourism in the European Union — 18 September 2012, 22:19 CET

Policies of the European Union concerning Tourism in Europe.

EU rebukes Britain over freedom of movement laws — 26 April 2012, 14:00 CET

The European Commission gave Britain an ultimatum Thursday to respect the freedom of movement of EU citizens, threatening court action should it fail to abide by EU laws within two months.

Sarkozy wants EU partners to toughen border controls — 24 April 2012, 11:37 CET

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, chasing far-right voters in a troubled re-election bid, will press EU partners Thursday to make it easier to recall border guards in Europe's visa-free travel area.

EU-US anti-terror data-sharing deal finally approved — 19 April 2012, 16:55 CET

A controversial deal enabling transfer of EU air passenger data to US authorities as part of the global fight against terrorism was finally approved Thursday in the European Parliament.

No more low-cost benefits for low-cost airline staff — 19 April 2012, 10:58 CET

Low-cost airlines will no longer be able to offer low-cost social welfare coverage to staff under new EU rules adopted Wednesday by the European Parliament.

Expedia, TripAdvisor file EU complaint against Google — 03 April 2012, 15:31 CET

The travel websites Expedia and TripAdvisor have filed complaints as part of a probe into whether Google is abusing its position on the Intenet, a Commission spokesman said on Tuesday.

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.