The renewed European tourism policy will aim to focus on better regulation, European Commission vice-president Günter Verheugen said yesterday,.
It will work to cut red tape, modernise existing regulations, simplify rules and improve impact assessments.
Mr Verheugen planned to put this policy framework, which will be implemented in partnership with the member states and the tourism stakeholders, forward to the Commission within the coming months.
He told the fourth European Tourism Forum, which is being held in Malta this year, that a cohesive European policy was necessary to boost the competitiveness of the European tourism industry and create more jobs through the sustainable growth of tourism.
As regards better regulation, this year, the Commission was monitoring 169 new community policy initiatives to ensure they did not hinder the competitiveness of tourism, Mr Verheugen said.
"We will not be proposing any new regulation unless it is absolutely necessary," he clarified, adding that "we will be looking also to review regulations, such as the special VAT regime for travel agents, if necessary."
Tourism, he said, could play a major role in the EU's efforts to create growth and jobs and promote regional development. It was one of the biggest European economic sectors, which was fast expanding and had a promising future.
Europe's demographic evolution promised an even bigger growth in tourism - pensioners were travelling more and infrastructure was gradually being adapted to the needs of persons with disability, opening up exciting new market segments and business opportunities.
Between 2000 and 2006, the Structural Funds should be investing more than €7 billion in tourism projects, Mr Verheugen said, stressing the importance the cohesion policy gave to the industry.
Listing the challenges ahead, he said Europe must become more competitive and create more jobs, safeguard its social achievements and promote sustainability.
"Partnership" in Europe was important to advance successfully in the 21st century.
"While in most cases, tourism is a local issue, there is no doubt that a better partnership at European level between public authorities, the private sector and employees will offer clear advantages to European tourism," he said.
Another important area that called for partnership was the promotion of Europe as a tourist destination, Mr Verheugen said, announcing the launch of the European Tourists Destination Portal on the Internet, which will give access to the websites of all European national tourism organisations at the beginning of next year.
Such a unique access point to European tourism information should give a real boost to tourism, he maintained.
The establishment of a European Destinations of Excellence Award was also worth exploring, he said.
On a more personal note, Mr Verheugen expressed his pleasure to be in Malta, discussing tourism, Malta being an "exceptional tourist destination" in his view.
As commissioner responsible for enlargement, his former role in the previous commission, "I personally have unforgettable memories of this beautiful island," he said.
The Forum was also addressed by UK Tourism Minister James Purnell, who spoke of the close ties between Malta and the UK, evidenced by the fact that 400,000 British visited the island every year.
Expressing his confidence in the fact that the European tourism sector would keep its leading position in world tourism, he said the industry was a hugely important driver of economic growth and prosperity in Europe.
The facts spoke for themselves: the European tourism industry contributes five per cent of European GDP and six per cent of its exports; and employs between seven and eight million people.
"But we must ensure that we have the right framework in place to allow our tourism business to grow."
Better regulation at national and EU level was vital to improve competitiveness of the tourism industries, most of which were small and medium-sized enterprises.
The European Tourism Forum was also addressed by Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who said it was an honour to be hosting the event.
The most important meeting in Europe on tourism was being held in its smallest state, Dr Gonzi pointed out.
For the profitable tourism industry to continue being successful in the EU, an adequate commercial environment should be created - an environment that supports enterprises, ensures flexibility, encourages investment and reduces bureaucracy, Dr Gonzi told the Forum.
He said the government has taken these aims seriously in its pre-Budget 2006 document.
Proposed legislation should encourage competitiveness and be user-friendly for SMEs, Dr Gonzi said.