The Polish Presidency of the EU and the European Commission organized a Tourism Conference in Warsaw, chaired by Mrs Katarzyna Sobierajska, Secretary of State Ministry of Sport and Tourism on 16 December to bring together European governments, the tourism industry and airlines to promote tourism. The Conference presented a project, which aims to develop tourist flow between South America and the European Union by making use of available spare airline, tour operator and accommodation capacity during the low seasons.
This initiative is the implementation of recommendations included in the Commission Communication entitled "Europe, the world's No 1 tourist destination - a new political framework for tourism in Europe", COM (2010) 352, in particular prevention of seasonality, increased availability of jobs, strengthen the image of Europe and cooperation with third countries.
The project aims to promote tourism relationships between some EU countries and South America by encouraging 25 000 inhabitants of South America to travel to Europe in the period between October 2012 and March 2013, and 25 000 people in Europe to travel to South America between May and October 2013.
The main objective of the Conference was to familiarize participants with the project of the European Commission "50.000 tourists”, including but not limited to the method of implementation, the expectations of the tourism industry, hotel industry and airlines, as well as the expected results of this initiative.
The Conference was attended by representatives of the European Commission, including the Director of DG Enterprise and Industry Mr. Pedro Ortún, Secretary General Mr. Michel de Blust and Mr. Paweł Niewiadomski Vice-President of European Travel Agent's and Tour Operator's Associations (ECTAA), the European Tour Operator's Associations (ETOA) and representatives of Argentina, Brazil and Chile participating in this project.
Said Vice-President of ECTAA, Pawel Niewiadomski: “This is an opportunity for the industry and the Member States to combat seasonality and create new market segments.”
The conference was addressed primarily to tour operators, the hotel industry, airlines, representatives of the countries of South America based in Poland. More events are planned in 2012 at the travel trade fairs in Madrid, Berlin and Paris.
Date of publication: 19 December 2011