91998E2498

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2498/98

by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Community aid for tourism undertakings investing abroad

One of the objectives which will have a major impact on the Community tourism sector is its internationalisation, both in terms of attracting tourists to the European Union and selling services or operating facilities abroad.

A dual objective can be achieved in this way, by exporting the technological capacity of Community tourism undertakings and contributing to development in a large number of developing countries, in addition to the support provided to Community tourists visiting the countries concerned.

Can the Commission list the Community programmes which supply aid for Community tourism undertakings investing abroad, and can it provide information on the experience gained in this respect and any changes which it considers necessary in order to strengthen the presence of Community tourism undertakings outside the EU's borders, particularly in developing countries?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 1998)

The Commission shares the honourable Member's point of view regarding the growing internationalisation of tourism in the Member States and its major contribution to international trade, especially with non-member countries. Indeed, for the Member States tourism accounts for a third of all imports and exports of services, while direct investment by Community undertakings in non-member countries in 1995 amounted to ECU 4 700 million in the hotel and catering branch alone(1).

Although the Community does not have any specific programme to foster tourism investment by European undertakings in non-member countries, there are several Community programmes and schemes of a horizontal type that can help. This applies, for example, to actions as part of the new European strategy for market access and improving the process for liberalising services.

Also, as part of talks at the World Trade Organisation, and more especially as part of the GATS agreement on services, the Community is playing a prominent role in securing commitments to open third countries' markets and improve the terms governing investments and ventures by European undertakings in the sector of tourism.

As part of policies for development and cooperation with non-member countries, financial instruments such as ECIP, EBAS and Alinvest can promote the internationalisation of European tourism undertakings outside the Community and make it easier to export their knowhow.

The latest reports on Community measures affecting tourism(2) contain a review of the main actions that have benefited tourism undertakings in this context.

(1) Eurostat, Balance of Payments - Quarterly Statistics 2-98, p. 70; European Union Direct Investment - Yearbook 1997, p. 73.

(2) COM(97) 332 final and SEC(97) 1419.