The enlargement of the European Union (EU) was hailed as the start of a new opportunity for Europe and its citizens. This opportunity exists not least in Travel & Tourism, and building on its TSA research, WTTC undertook a groundbreaking examination of the industry's latent potential in the 10 new member states which sets out this opportunity and guidelines for the EU Institutions and member states to drive the potential for Travel & Tourism growth.

Further detail

WTTC has been working closely within Europe for a number of years to encourage the bodies of the EU Institutions and EU member states to give greater priority to Travel & Tourism.

In April 2005 following a meeting with Commission President Barrosso, an informal advisory group of WTTC Members was founded. This WTTC delegation has met twice with Vice-President Verheugen, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry and the Council has been able to contribute a new policy communication for Travel & Tourism. In April 2006, Jean-Claude Baumgarten met with Mr Barrot, Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport.

WTTC is also working closely with the Association of European Airlines (AEA) on specific lobbying issues, such as the taxing of aviation for development aid. WTTC has been keeping up pressure on this front in responding to the European Parliament's controversial moves to introduce kerosene taxes and ticket taxes on the aviation sector with a press release clearly stating WTTC's opposition to such moves and the growth such action would stifle with far-reaching effects.

Agenda 21 Steering Group

The European Commission is working on an Agenda 21 - a plan for sustainable development - for the European Travel & Tourism industry. As a member of the steering group, WTTC has helped to guide the EU's development of this initiative.