1st Mediterranean Hotel ForumBarcelona, 26 Nov 2015

Tourism as a catalyst for the economic activity between North and South and vice versa

George DrakopoulosPresident & CEO tourism generis

Importance of tourism for the EU

Tourism is a major economic activity in the European Union with wide-ranging impact on economic growth, employment and social development.

The European Commission works to address these with policies and actions.

Policies & ActionsNorth & South

Economy structure Development stageTourism’s contribution to GDP

Egypt 12,8% Spain 15,2% Greece 16.7%

Denmark 6,8% Germany 8,9% Poland 4,4%

South supports North?

Tourism encourages and supports an intenseeconomic activity between North – South andvice versa.

Southbound with the flows of tourists andNorthbound with the flows for capital goods.

Southbound

Northbound

Capital equipment & technical knowhow forgeneral and special infrastructure (airports,shipping ports, highways, telecommunications)

Tourism coaches for transport

Cars for rentals

Furniture, china & glassware for hotels

Laundry & kitchen equipment for hotels

Foreign languages for professionals

Europe 2020 strategyputs forward 3 priorities

Smart growth

Sustainable growth

Inclusive growth

Smart growth

among targets Tourism contribution

More employment for women & young people

Tourism creates employment in a wide range of activities, on different levels of knowledge and specialisation, mainly for young people and mostly in the regions

How to boost smart growth?

flagship initiatives Tourism contribution

Digital agenda the majority of transactionsto be made on line

Innovation quick adoption of new technologies e.g. green hotels

Sustainable growth

among targets: Tourism contribution

reducinggreenhouse gas

UNWTO initiativeon Climate and Tourism

more renewables in final energy consumption

solar panelswater recycling

energy efficiency Hotel Energy Solutions Project

Inclusive growth

among targets: Tourism contribution

75% employment ratefor people aged 20-64

..as said before...

at least 20 million fewer people in OR at risk of poverty and social exclusion

geographical expansion labour intensive nature spread of employment .....................................particularly relevant in

remote and rural areas where many of the poor live

Conclusions here(recommendations next slide)

Balanced growth

Equal opportunities

Priorities within reason

Tourism it is an industry

recommendation