On the occasion of HOTREC’s 78th General Assembly, the leaders of 43 national hospitality associations in 31 European countries call on the next European Commission to prioritise tourism by attributing it explicitly to a European Commissioner’s portfolio.
“Tourism is the third socio-economic activity in Europe and one of the backbone of the EU economy. It brings more than 13 million direct jobs and keeps growing. Its importance for Europe’s growth and jobs should be visibly reflected in the structure of the next European Commission” said Mr. Jens Zimmer Christensen, President of HOTREC.
“Tourism is impacted by various EU policies falling under the portfolio of several EU Commissioners. This makes necessary for the next Commission to attribute tourism to the portfolio of one Commissioner tasked with the overall coordination of all other Commissioners’ policies impacting tourism” stated Mr. Christian de Barrin, CEO of HOTREC.
Currently, tourism is not explicitly recognised in the portfolio of the Juncker Commission. It is supervised with all other sectors of the economy by the Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, whom HOTREC would like to thank, as well as DG Grow, for their support over the five past years.
For further information: www.hotrec.eu
PRESS CONTACT: Alessia Angiulli, +32(0)2 504 78 45, alessia.angiulli@hotrec.eu
