The Network for the European Private Sector in Tourism, which gathers
the main travel and tourism and trade associations in Europe, is calling
on the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee (LIBE) to adopt a smart Schengen Visa package.
According to UNWTO, Europe has steadily lost market share in world tourism,
decreasing from 64% in 1980 to 51% in 2010. If things remain unchanged, as
other regions of the world continue to step up their efforts to increase tourism
flows, Europe’s market share is expected to fall to 41% by 20301
.
In this context, facilitating the entry of legitimate travellers to Europe by
removing red tape from the current Visa Code could to a great extent improve
Europe’s outlook as a world leader in tourism. The European Commission
forecast that the rules within its legislative proposal would strongly facilitate
Schengen visa processing, leading to an increase of visitors of up to 60% and
generate up to €25 billion in additional revenue for the EU every year2
.
The LIBE Committee, which is due to hold its vote on the package of measures
that the European Commission proposed, therefore has a unique chance to
keep Europe as the world’s number one tourist destination for years to come.
In particular, NET calls on the LIBE MEPs to vote in favour of the mandatory
issuance of multiple-entry visas so as to encourage tourists to repeat visit to
Schengen countries and to facilitate the movement of legitimate workers in the
EU. In this context, it is important to keep the definition of VIS registered
regular traveller flexible, so as to ensure that high numbers of legitimate
travellers can opt to apply for multiple-entry visas.
Other high-impact proposals NET supports include:
i) the possibility for the
traveller to apply for their visa at the consulate that is closer to their place of
residence;
ii) not make the proof of accommodation compulsory;
iii) to give applicants a longer period to lodge their application, in order to allow them to
plan their trip;
iv) to support a visa fee waiver extension (e.g. for minors); and
vi) to include tourists in the scope of touring visa.
Tourism is a key growth and employment driver in Europe, particularly at this
crucial time of economic recovery. In 2014, tourism represented the thirdlargest
socio-economic sector within the European Union, generating 10% of
GDP and employing 13 million people 3,91% of which are working in small and
medium-sized enterprises.
About NET
NET, the Network for the European Private Sector in Tourism is a high-level contact group
comprising various trade associations. Its members are CLIA, ECTAA, EFCO&HPA, ETOA,
HOTREC, IAPAA, IRU. Our purpose is to develop common goals for industry and work with
policy makers and other partners to achieve them. For more information please email NET.
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