Latest News
HomeAssociationsThe new visa rules will boost growth and jobs in the hospitality sector says HOTREC
HOTREC

The new visa rules will boost growth and jobs in the hospitality sector says HOTREC

HOTREC applauded the new package on visa, presented by the European Commission on 1st April 2014, and stressed that measures that help to keep Europe as the world number one tourist destination and that help cutting red tape have the full support of the tourism industry.

ROME – HOTREC welcomed the new visa package during a joint press conference organised together with Vice-President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, at the margins of HOTREC’s 68th General Assembly. The measures facilitate visa processing activities and encourage consular cooperation. Consequently, the number of tourist arrivals in the Schengen area is expected to increase substantially, while the creation of growth and jobs will be enhanced.

HOTREC applauded the new package on visa, presented by the European Commission on 1st April 2014, and stressed that measures that help to keep Europe as the world number one tourist destination and that help cutting red tape have the full support of the tourism industry.

“Instruments that help the sector to create more jobs and to be more competitive, while maintaining safety and security patterns inside the Schengen area are essential in order to keep Europe an attractive tourist destination for travellers coming from third countries, especially from the BRICS”, commented Mr. Kent Nystrom, President of HOTREC.

HOTREC especially welcomes the following measures:

  • The one year touring visa;
  • Online visas;
  • Possibility of issuing a temporary visa at the external borders;
  • Multiple entry visas;
  • Enhanced consular cooperation.

For these reasons, HOTREC calls now the European Parliament and the Council for the swiftly adoption of the two legislative proposals, so that a smarter visa policy for economic growth can be put in place in all Schengen countries, as soon as possible.

European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: “The tourism industry has been one of the strongholds of European economy during the economic crisis. It continues to be a sound economic driver for the EU recovery. At a time when international competition is becoming increasingly fierce with a growing number of countries relying on tourism as a factor for growth we have just proposed  to simplify visa rules to increase the number of tourists visiting Europe. Thus we will give our tourism industry with its many SMEs a further boost.”

HOTREC and UNWTO stress the potential still to be exploited in tourism
At the 68th General Assembly of HOTREC, the European business association representing the hospitality industry, Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of UNWTO (United Nations’ World Tourism Organisation) stressed the societal and economic potential still to be exploited in the tourism industry. More than 1 billion people have crossed a border last year to travel for business or leisure and this number will continue to rise, as travel and tourism are one of the big trends of globalisation.

HOTREC and UNWTO agreed that for both organisations it is important to transform tourism into a true and recognised driving force for Europe’s welfare and development. Mr. Rifai acknowledged last years’ efforts by the European hospitality industry: “I praise the private sector in Europe for its remarkable capacity to adapt to the changes shaping the market and fort thriving during the challenging times of economic crisis”.

“Indeed, the hospitality industry was among the few ones in Europe, which continued creating new jobs during the last years difficult financial and economic situation” – added HOTREC President Kent Nystrom.

This ability of adaptation should be further enhanced by an appropriate market framework so that the European tourism industry is best prepared to accommodate the forecasted rising demands in international tourism. At the end it shall be the society, the whole economy and the tourism businesses to benefit from the still unrevealed potential in international tourism. The recent initiatives of UNWTO might be an appropriate tool to achieve these goals together.

Photo caption: Vice-President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, at the margins of HOTREC’s 68th General Assembly.

News Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | + Posts

Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.

28/03/2024
27/03/2024
26/03/2024
25/03/2024
22/03/2024