The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently issued a clear “call to action” to the European Union, urging strong support for the growth of the travel and tourism sector. This sector, crucial for the Old Continent, currently contributes €1.4 trillion to the European economy, employing over 22 million people. According to WTTC estimates, by 2033, it could reach a record figure of €1.9 trillion, creating almost 4 million new jobs.
To achieve this remarkable result, WTTC emphasizes three key areas of intervention: sustainability, ease of travel, and digitization.
Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC, stated, “The travel and tourism sector is a fundamental driver of economic growth in the EU, and the measures outlined in our call to action will ensure that the sector continues to grow sustainably, attract new talent, and thrive. We urge the EU to adopt these recommendations for the benefit of businesses and travelers worldwide.”
Towards a more sustainable future
First and foremost, WTTC urges the EU to legislate on environmental matters to facilitate the ecological transitionand achieve zero-emissions goals in the travel and tourism sector. The call is to enact regulations consistently,integrating and not hindering the work already done in this direction by industry companies.
Promoting ease of travel is another cornerstone of the sector’s development strategy. Therefore, WTTC commits to supporting policies that move towards simplifying visa issuance processes, among other things. The global tourism body encourages the EU to continue its path towards visa abolition and removing existing barriers.
Finally, sector digitization: WTTC calls on the European Union to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The goals to aim for include contactless travel, the introduction of Artificial Intelligence throughout the sector, digitalization of passports, and streamlining visa applications.
