Need to accelerate the development of tourism in central and eastern Europe

Motion for a Resolution

Doc. 7822

2 May 1997

presented by Ms STEPOVÁ and others

1.Tourism is already among the world's biggest industries, accounting for almost 30% of world trade in services, employing over 6% of the world's work force and providing a major impetus to national economies. With the present restructuring of the world economy - leading inter alia to a greater role for services, more leisure time and greater mobility of people - tourism will become even more important in the future. If properly developed it can be a major factor for international understanding, peace and prosperity, and lead to a valorisation of local culture and the natural heritage.

2.The tourist industry is, however, developing only slowly in the countries of central and eastern Europe, although these have a vast potential in terms of their rich history and culture, scenic beauty and competitive prices. This tardiness is largely due to a lack of appropriate infrastructure and an underestimation by the governments concerned of the economic and other benefits of tourism, including its synergy effects with other sectors. Tourism in the region is also frequently hampered by red tape and delays at borders.

3.The opening up of new tourist areas would also lead to a better spread of tourist flows across seasons and destinations, easing the pressure on currently overburdened resorts.

4.The Assembly therefore calls on the countries of central and eastern Europe to pay greater attention to the development of tourism, including enactment of appropriate legislation and the fixing of financial priorities, whether it be budgetary allocations or projects agreed with private foreign investors or international financial organisations such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank.

5.At the same time, member states in western Europe should contribute to this development by making available to the countries in central and eastern Europe their expertise in tourist development, and by encouraging their nationals to discover the region as tourists.

Signed: (1)

Stepová, Czech Republic, SOC

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Gusenbauer, Austria, SOC

Hegyi, Hungary, SOC

Iwinski, Poland, SOC

Johansson I-B., Sweden, SOC

Magnusson, Sweden, SOC

Melcák, Czech Republic, SOC

Nistad, Norway, SOC

Ojuland, Estonia, LDR

Schwimmer, Austria, EPP

Steolea, Romania, EDG

Suchocka, Poland, EPP

Svoboda, Czech Republic, SOC

Telgmaa, Estonia, EDG

Verspaget, Netherlands, SOC

Zhirinovski, Russia, NR

Note: 1SOC: Socialist Group

EPP: Group of the European People's Party

EDG: European Democratic Group

LDR: Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

NR: Not registered