European Union News - Tourism

Eurostat published its figures regarding tourism in the EU in 2011. In 2011, EU residents made 1.0 billion holiday trips, of which around one quarter were trips outside the country of residence. Highest share of outbound holiday trips in Luxembourg and Belgium and Spain was the top foreign destination of EU residents.

According to a Flash Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission, EU holiday makers, as many as 88% spent their vacations somewhere within the EU, either in their own country or in another Member State. Spain (12%), Italy (8%) and France (7%) are still the most preferred destinations.

The European Commission announced that it reached an agreement with The European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Associations (ECTAA) for promoting the pan-European emergency number '112' on their websites, on e-tickets, and at major tourist destinations.

The European Mobile and Mobility Industries Alliance (EMMIA), a scheme boosted by the European Commission, aims to develop more sustainable solutions in the field of mobility by enhancing transnational cooperation and access to mobile services.

The European Commission announced that the Access City Award 2013 to the city of Berlin. The prize, which aims to encourage cities to share their experience and to improve accessibility for the benefit of all, has been awarded in recognition of Berlin's comprehensive and strategic approach to creating an accessible city for all.

The French city of Marseille has been de venue for the signature of an agreement between the European Investment Bank and the Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce (ASCAME) aimed at encouraging the development of sustainable tourism as a way to support the development Mediterranean economies. This agreement will develop a first cooperation agreement signed in November 2009.

The report on the state of the Schengen area was published by the European Commission. Among the conclusions, the Commission highlights that the Visa Information System (VIS) has worked well but the European institution will continue to find ways to improve the data collection and analysis of irregular migratory movements.

The European Commission adopted a Communication that examines how the implementation and development of the common visa policy could help growth in the EU by facilitating travel opportunities for third country nationals willing to visit the EU.