EU travel and tourism to generate €1.7 billion

This year, the EU is expected to generate €1,705.4 billion in economic activity from travel and tourism - a figure that is estimated to rise to €3,066 billion by 2015, according to a World Travel & Tourism Council survey, Sowing the Seeds of Growth.

The demand is expected to rise by 4.1 per cent in 2005 and by 4.1 per cent in real terms between 2006 and 2015 and the total demand from the sector represents 36.6 per cent of the world share, the survey showed.

These figures were quoted by Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech during a press conference yesterday called to give details on the European Tourism Forum, being held in Malta between October 19 and 21.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the travel and tourism sector of the EU generated over 24 million jobs and contributed to four per cent of the GDP; it was responsible for 13 per cent of exports and 8.8 per cent of capital investments.

Last year, international tourism reached a record 763 million tourists of whom 54.4 per cent (415 million) visited Europe.

Based on these figures, it was also clear why the EU, faced with stiff competition from other destinations, was today focusing on quality, sustainability and modernisation, Dr Zammit Dimech said, adding that the importance of the tourism sector for the EU was clear.

It was for this reason that the EU had started organising the European Tourism Forum, the one in Malta being the fourth edition. It will be addressed by the vice-president of the European Commission Gunther Verheugen, showing the importance the EU gave it, and would focus mainly on competitiveness, Dr Zammit Dimech said.

The themes to be discussed in three workshops include better training, the use of IT, better regulations, with an emphasis on the Services Directive proposal, and sustainable development in the field of tourism.

EU tourism ministers will be meeting during the forum and the UK presidency of the EU, the Tourism Ministry in Malta and the European Commission would be stressing the need for the tourism industry to be strong and competitive and that all necessary measures are taken to ensure this.