Please accept, dear Commissioner, the assurance of our highest consideration.

Transcription

1 Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker President European Commission Brussels Belgium Subject: Designation of 2018 as the European Year of Tourism and Cultural Heritage 4 April 2016 Europe is the world s leading tourist destination thanks to its fascinating history and rich cultural and natural heritage. A diverse and extraordinary tapestry of art forms, heritage sites, cuisines, languages and festivals are the living legacies of Europe s magnificent and longstanding culture. These legacies are what inspire millions of travellers from around the world to visit Europe each year. The combined power of tourism and culture offers an immense opportunity to foster economic growth and inclusive social development. With 2015 marking the sixth consecutive year of growth for international tourism in Europe, there is little doubt that tourism has become one of the leading sectors of the EU economy, accounting directly and indirectly for almost 10% of the EU s GDP and employing more than 25 million people. In view of the above, and considering that tourism can make a fundamental contribution to the future of the European Union, we would very much like to request your support in declaring 2018 as the European Year of Tourism and Cultural Heritage as proposed by the European Parliament Intergroup for European Tourism Development, Cultural Heritage, Ways of St. James and other European Cultural Routes. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), as the United Nations Specialized Agency for Tourism, is very pleased to support this initiative, alongside all members of the European Travel Commission (ETC) and a number of the European tourism associations that have recently signed the Tourism for Growth and Jobs Manifesto (pleased see the attached list). Moreover, the United Nations has declared 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. Hence, designating 2018 as the European Year of Tourism and Cultural Heritage would be a unique opportunity to build upon the increased visibility the sector will have in the global agenda during 2017, highlighting the leading role of Europe in this area. Considering our common commitment to the development of tourism in Europe as well as to maximizing the benefits the sector generates in the region, we would be very pleased if the Commission were to put forward this proposal to the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. The declaration would be a unique occasion to promote tourism s valuable contribution to the socio-economic development of Europe and the achievement of goals set in the Europe 2020 Strategy. Page 1 of 5

2 In this regard, we kindly ask for your support in initiating the procedure to designate 2018 the European Year of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, and we express our full commitment to continue working with you in maximizing tourism s contribution to supporting peace, economic growth and pride in our shared cultural legacy in Europe. Please accept, dear Commissioner, the assurance of our highest consideration. Ţapardel Ana-Claudia Co-chair of the Intergroup for European Tourism Development, Cultural Heritage, Ways of St. James and Other Cultural Routes Taleb Rifai Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Ujhelyi István Tourism Task Force coordinator, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism Tajani Antonio Vice-President of the European Parliament Ertug Ismail S&D Coordinator - Committee on Transport and Tourism Clune Deirdre De Monte Isabella Anderson Lucy Bach Georges Kyllönen Merja Monteiro de Aguiar Claudia Salini Massimiliano Van De Camp Wim Nilsson Jens Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet Zlotowski Kosma Bayet Hugues Sant Alfred Ivan Cătălin-Sorin Buda Daniel Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Petir Marijana Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Grigule Iveta Page 2 of 5

3 Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Cirio Alberto Member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Delahaye Angélique Member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Estaras Ferragut Rosa Vice-Chair of the Committee on Petitions Mizzi Marlene Vice-Chair of the Committee on Petitions Frunzulica Doru-Claudian Member of the Committee on Development Grapini Maria Member of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Jakovcic Ivan Member of the Committee on Regional Development Kaili Eva Chair of the Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Morgano Luigi Member of the Committee on Culture and Education Plura Marek Member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs Šoltes Igor Vice-Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control Šulin Patricija Vice-Chair of the Committee on Budgets Members of the European Travel Commission Andalusian Ministry for Tourism and Sport Austrian National Tourist Office Tourism Flanders Wallonie-Bruxelles Tourisme Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism - Nikolina Angelkova Croatian National Tourist Board Cyprus Tourism Organisation CzechTourism VisitDenmark Estonian Tourist Board Enterprise Estonia Turismo de Galicia Tourist Board South Limburg Visit Finland Finpro German National Tourist Board Greek National Tourism Organization Hungarian Tourism Icelandic Tourist Board Fáilte Ireland Tourism Ireland Italian Government Tourist Board Latvian Tourism Development Agency Page 3 of 5

4 Lithuanian State Department of Tourism Luxembourg for Tourism Malta Tourism Authority Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Office National Tourism Organization of Montenegro Innovation Norway Polish Tourist Organization Turismo de Portugal Romanian National Authority for Tourism San Marino State Office for Tourism National Tourism Organisation of Serbia (NTOS) Slovak Tourist Board Slovenian Tourist Board Turespaña Instituto de Turismo de España Switzerland Tourism Agència Valenciana del Turisme Stakeholders of the Tourism for Growth and Jobs Manifesto ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International) Amadeus EARTH (European Alliance for Responsible Tourism and Hospitality) ECF (European Cyclists' Federation) ECTAA (The European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Association) EDEN (European Destinations of Excellence) EFCO & HPA (European Federation of Campingsite Organisations and Holiday Park Associations) EFFAT (European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions) EGWA (European Greenways Association) ESPA (European Spas Association) ETAG (European Travel and Tourism Advisory Group) ETF (European Transport Workers' Federation) ETLC (European Trade Union Liaison Committee on Tourism) ETOA (European Tourism Association) ETTSA (European Technology and Travel Services Association) Eurail Group EuroGites (European Federation of Rural Tourism) European Boating Industry FEST (Foundation for European Sustainable Tourism) FEG (European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations) HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés in Europe) IRU (International Road Transport Union) ISTO (International Social Tourism Organisation) NECSTouR (Network of European Regions for Sustainable and Competitive Tourism) UNI Europa NET (Network For The European Private Sector In Tourism) Future for Religious Heritage AirBnB Page 4 of 5

5 HOTREC Centre Balears Europa Balearic Islands Government Gabriel Barceló Milta Region of South-Limburg World Travel & Tourism Council Turistec Eureka European Holiday Home Association European Network for Village Tourism Genuineland Fondacioni Europa Instituto Politécnico de Leiria Page 5 of 5