EUROPE FACTS & FIGURES
EUROPE FACTS & FIGURES EUROPE: SUSTAINED GROWTH IN PEAK SEASON 2018 Robust intra-European demand and improved air connectivity boost growth momentum European destinations reported healthy growth last summer despite rising political risks and less relaxed financial conditions posing a threat to the global economic outlook. Growth momentum was boosted by robust intra-European demand and improved air connectivity, notably from China. remains solid. In the US, economic expansion and a stronger dollar underpin sustained income and consumption growth. Virtually all reporting destinations posted growth from this market which is expected to increase by +8% in 2018. Chinese travellers were a source of extensive arrivals growth in several Balkan Valletta, Malta According to the European Travel Commission’s latest report, “European Tourism - Trends & Prospects 2018”, 32 out of 34 reporting destinations registered some form of growth over the summer period, with 1 in 4 enjoying double-digit expansion in arrivals. Europe saw a +7% increase in international tourist arrivals the first half of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 with growth led by Southern/Mediterranean destinations. © Marie-Lan Nguyen Turkey (+23%) saw double-digit increases from all reported source markets. Fading security concerns and the depreciation of the lira added to Turkey’s attractiveness to foreign holidaymakers. Sizeable increases were also recorded in Greece (+19%) thanks to its seasonal appeal and diversified offering whereas in Serbia (+15%) a visa- free policy for Chinese travellers and better air connectivity boosted arrivals growth. Malta (+16%) benefitted from its capital being a designated European Capital of Culture in 2018. In Iceland (+6%) robust travel demand from the US and Russia was able to offset declines from a wide range of source markets while “borrowed” market share now returning to Northern Africa and Turkey may explain Spain’s slowdown (-0.1%). Amidst escalating trade wars and volatile economic conditions, travel demand from Europe’s key long-haul source markets destinations based on year-to-date data. The Turkey Tourism Year in China supported the upsurge in visitor numbers in Turkey (+87%) while improved air connectivity drove growth in Serbia (+104%), Montenegro (+64%) and Croatia (+41%). “To avoid further slowdown and capitalise on the potential of tourism to create jobs and to facilitate economic growth, the European Travel Commission calls for better coordination of the instruments steering the European tourism industry. Tourism stakeholders and decision-makers, at all levels, should coordinate to invest wisely in more sustainable and innovative tourism products and services to improve the European visitors’ experience” said Eduardo Santander, Executive Director of ETC 32 OUT OF 34 REPORTING DESTINATIONS REGISTERED SOME FORM OF GROWTH OVER THE SUMMER PERIOD
Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #41 2019 Winter Edition 27 27 © Diego Delso INNOVATION AND DIGITALISATION TOP OF EUROPEAN TOURISM AGENDA Iconostasis in the church of the Cocoş Monastery, Romania SCHENGEN NEWS: ROMANIA AND BULGARIA SET TO JOIN, AND STRENGTHENING OF V.I.S. An overwhelming majority of the European Parliament members voted in December in favour of a resolution that calls on the admission of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen zone. According to Schengenvisainfo.com, the resolution requires from the European Council to act swiftly, so both countries join the EU’s border-less zone as soon as possible. The report was approved by the members of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament in November. Now that the European Parliament members have also approved it, the European Council must vote unanimously in order for both countries to join the area. Meanwhile, the European Union Council agreed on Wednesday, December 19, to negotiate the mandate of the Visa Information System (VIS), in a bid to strengthen security in the Schengen Area. The EU ambassadors agreed on the upgrade of the VIS, which was previously proposed by the European Commission in May last year. The proposal was then passed to the EU Council. The Visa Information System is the Schengen Database that contains information on persons that apply for Schengen visas. These changes have been proposed with the aim of a better responding to the evolving challenges on security and migration as well as to improve the management of EU’s external borders The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) stressed the importance of tourism and technology providing opportunities for innovation and creating the jobs of the future, in its 63rd European Commission meeting held in Prague, Czech Republic. As UNWTO and its European Member States gathered last June to set the agenda for the region, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili described the Organisations´s intention to make innovation part of the solution to the challenge of marrying continued growth with a more sustainable and responsible tourism sector. In a strategic discussion on innovation and the digital transformation, Mr. Pololikashvili made clear his vision to create an ecosystem of government policies, funds and strategic projects that nurture disruptive ideas and entrepreneurship, for which he enlisted the help of Member States and private sector members in the region. “Together we can set a vision that considers tourism as a policy priority, a knowledge creator and innovator, and a sector of maximum value for all”, said Mr. Pololikashvili. Also at the meeting, UNWTO outlined plans for improving skills, education and specialized tourism training under the newlylaunched UNWTO.Academy, and reaffirmed its engagement with Europe to face safety and sustainability challenges related to managing large tourist numbers 63 rd Meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Europe
