During the plenary session (24-25 March 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP, PT), rapporteur, gives a short presentation of his report on EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism. Follows a statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. (This transcription is a result of an authomatic process, please check against delivery).

Brussels

statement

plenary session

MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR, Cláudia (EPP, PT)

SINKEVIČIUS, Virginijus (LT, EC)

Coronavirus outbreak (T)

economic situation in Europe (T)

social life (T)

EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism: report by Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP, PT), and statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment

SOUNDBITE (Original), Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP, PT), Indeed, Madam President, tourism is having to deal with a very dramatic period in its history. Huge amount of losses in tourism companies. This is one of the most resilient sectors in many countries, and therefore, I think it needs help now from the EU. In this report, the parliament has put forward various clear recommendations to the industry of tourism and transport. We need coordination throughout the pandemic. We need European investment. We need member states. Investment in the tourism sector, needs short term liquidity to be able to save jobs, to able to save people's lives.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP, PT), So we need these guarantees for the future. It's going to be difficult to recover from the pandemic. And therefore, the 27 member state recovery plans need to have plans to cover the tourism sector. We need to look at how much the tourism sector in various member states and various regions contributes to the G to GDP. This is why the EU has to do more, has to use its competences here, the European Parliament is ready.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP, PT), We need some sort of strategy. We need a Marshall Plan for the tourism sector commissioner, but we need it yesterday, this plan, because if we leave things as they are. Those that can survive will survive and will control the market and others will lose their jobs. The industry here, the tourism industry, transport industry, it believes in joint European solutions. But for that, there needs to be a political will.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP, PT), The EU has to come together, has to bring its efforts together, has to push forward a European tourism plan. There should be a European tourism agency that has to be created so it can collate the massive amount of data there is out there and that will support policies, we need all interested parties to be involved in that, whether that is directly or indirectly.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP, PT), This report is key to make sure that our compatriots understand that EU can coordinate the EU has measures, has funding to help companies, to help institutions, to help their own citizens in this very, very difficult situation, in this health crisis, Covid-19. It's devastating everybody, this pandemic, but specifically it's having a negative effect on regions with more vulnerable economies.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP, PT), And I think this is the point in time where the European Parliament has to be bold. This report talks about sustainable future proof tourism. We need to be bold, courageous. We need to defend tourism and the transport sector. We need to be able to respond to the expectations our citizens have of us.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, President, Honourable members, Ms. Aguilar, allow me to congratulate you on your report and the constructive ideas for the future of European tourism. The Commission shares your vision and goals for a sustainable, digital and resilient tourism ecosystem. The pandemic has deeply disrupted Europe's tourism ecosystem, weakening its immediate ability to invest and rebound. It has affected all regions of Europe and particularly harshly, those heavily reliant on tourism, including coastal areas, islands and the EU outermost regions.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, At the same time, there is hope. Europeans are eager to travel again as the epidemiological situation remains worrisome. We need to put in place measures that protect public health and ensure safety, but that also allow safe travel and tourism. We need to protect the businesses and the jobs in tourism and exploit the business potential of greening the sector. The EU has mobilised unprecedented emergency support for the tourism ecosystem and individual companies.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, We have also been working with member states to coordinate action on the restrictions of free movement and safety measures thanks to the EU vaccination strategy and efforts made across the EU. We can expect that member states will be gradually reopening to tourists in the coming months to facilitate the safe reopening. The Commission proposed last week a package of measures, including a legislative proposal for digital green certificate. Currently, member states have different conditions of entry, such as PCR tests and quarantine.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, We already have many problems in the recognition of test results from other member states with the rollout of vaccinations. Member states proposed there were solutions on how to allow vaccinated citizens to enter their country and and on how to prove that they are vaccinated. This could lead to a real barrier to free movement and to the functioning of the single market, hence the need for a European solution applied evenly by all countries.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Let me be clear. This certificate is non-discriminatory. It cannot and should not be used as a precondition for free movement, not should it be used as a tool for border control. It will include proof that a person has been vaccinated or results of tests. Information on covid-19 recovery. With the summer travel season approaching, the certificate should be in place by mid-June at the latest. In parallel to the institutional negotiations, the member states and the commission are already working on the technical solution.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, The Commission is counting on your support for its swift adoption. Healthy health and safety standards are key to reassure travellers and tourists. They also guarantee a level playing field for businesses. The commission has asked the European Standardisation Organisation to work on standardisation products for all EU tourism businesses with an easily recognisable visual identity. This should also be ready in time for the summer.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Regarding the long term perspective, the Commission is fully mobilised to help restart the tourism ecosystem with concrete actions following the safe reopening package of last week. The Commission will propose next month an updated industrial strategy. It will include measures to draw lessons from the crisis and strengthen the resilience of single market economy and its 14 industrial ecosystems, including tourism.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, The Commission is also working with member states and stakeholders to develop a European agenda for tourism with the short long term roadmap amongst the priorities, we are considering sustainable destination and tourism services, including EU ecolabel and mass tourist accommodations. The European Year of Rail is an excellent opportunity to boost sustainable ways of travelling and unlock new destinations when tourism can restart.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, We also need digitalisation and improved data sharing to allow for informed safe travel spread across more destinations and of course, upskilling and reskilling of workers, including through the pact for skills in tourism. Due to the pandemic, investments needs of the tourism ecosystem are the highest amongst all industrial systems. In this context, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, along with the new multiannual financial framework, will play a crucial role.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, We hope that member states and the tourism industry will seise this unprecedented opportunities. Honourable members of Parliament, protecting businesses and jobs will be at the heart of the EU's agenda, as will our commitment to help rebuild resilient and sustainable tourism. I am confident that together we can relaunch a stronger tourism ecosystem and maintain the European Union as the world's leading destination.