Budapest forum set to focus on new challenges

By Véronique Vallières

Date: 30/09/04

THE EU is now the world's largest tourist region, with 53% of the world market since its enlargement to 25 member states on 1 May.

The future challenges and opportunities for the tourism industry will constitute the hottest topic at the third annual European Tourism Forum, in Budapest on 15-16 October. The forum's main objective is to heighten cooperation between all stakeholders in tourism. Other main issues, such as employment and new trends in tourism, will also be discussed.

"One of the important points [at the forum] will be tourism in the new member states," said Francesco Ianniello, head of the tourism unit in the European Commission's DG enterprise directorate-general. "But old member states also participate to a great extent; their stakes [in the industry] are quite high."

Ianniello believes that most new member states should cope well with the rising demand in tourism. "Most of these countries, such as Malta and Cyprus, have a long tradition in tourism."

Even Baltic states are traditionally used to having a high number of visitors each year, he said.

Tourism currently employs 8 million people in the EU and represents 5% of total employment as well as of the Union's gross domestic product. The industry is expected to create as many as two million jobs over the next decade.

After the 2004 enlargement the EU has become the world's largest tourist region holding 53% of the world market. Preview of the Third Annual European Tourism Forum on 15-16 October 2004.