A renewed EU Tourism Policy: towards a stronger partnership for European Tourism

On February 2005, the Commission proposed a new start for the Lisbon Strategy focusing the European Unions efforts on two principal tasks delivering stronger, lasting growth and more and better jobs.

Since 1997, the potential of tourism to generate employment and growth has been recognised at EU level on several occasions. Globalisation, demographic changes and the evolution in transport are decisive factors in driving the rapid growth of this industry. With its variety of attractions and quality of its tourism services Europe is the world leading tourist destination. Tourism is therefore an activity which can play an important role in the attainment of the Growth and Jobs Strategy goals.