According to a study commissioned by the European Commission, an increase in trips to the Schengen area of between 30 and 60 % could be expected if visa rules would be more flexible.
BRUSSELS – Easing administrative procedures while maintaining the same level of security will keep Europe’s position as world’s number one tourist destination
UNWTO statistics speak by themselves – Europe has steadily lost market share in world tourism, decreasing from 64% in 1980 to 51% in 2010. If the situation remains, Europe’s market share is expected to fall to 41% by 2030 as other regions of the world become increasingly competitive and appealing.
The facilitation of the entry of legitimate travellers in Europe by easing the current administrative procedures would help Europe to continue being the world’s number one tourist destination, while maintaining the same level of security within the Schengen area.
Indeed, according to a study commissioned by the European Commission, an increase in trips to the Schengen area of between 30 and 60 % could be expected if visa rules would be more flexible. Over five years, this would mean between 120 and 130 billion euros in total direct spending, translated into between 1.2 and 1.3 million jobs.
For all these reasons, NET (Netowrk for the European Private Sector in Tourism) murges the European Parliament and the Council to come swiftly to an agreement on the Visa Code trilogue negotiations.
In particular, NET calls on the EU institutions to vote in favour of measures such as i) the mandatory issuance of multiple-entry visas – to encourage tourists to visit Schengen countries several times and to facilitate the movement of legitimate workers in the EU; 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).
“It is a must to reduce administrative procedures for travelers willing to reach the Schengen space, while keeping the same level of security around Europe. This is needed, for Europe to keep being world’s number 1 tourist destination and stop decreasing its market share”, commented Christian de Barrin, CEO of HOTREC.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
