Measures for the tourism sector in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak
20.4.2020
Question for written answer E-002363/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Valter Flego (Renew)
According to World Tourism Organization estimates, compared with 2019, this year we can expect international tourist arrivals to fall by around 30%. One month after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European tourism sector has already posted revenue losses exceeding EUR one billion. In these difficult circumstances, the global travel and tourism industry could see 75 million job losses, including 6.4 million in the EU, accounting for almost half of the European tourism sector's current workforce. Restaurant facilities, hotels and private lets have been hit hardest. Owing to the difficulties facing the tourism sector, many tourists have also been forced to postpone travel.
In light of the foregoing, I would like to ask the following questions:
- 1.Following the example of the guidelines adopted on reimbursing and offering vouchers to air passengers, does the Commission intend to introduce similar coordinated measures to compensate users of tourism services and facilities?
- 2.Considering that tourism is a Member State competence, does the Commission, in view of the seriousness of the situation, intend to propose special compensatory measures to help Member States support hotels, the nautical sector, travel agencies and private letting companies, in order to stave off the worst case scenario in which facilities close and workers are laid off?