During the conference entitled “Attracting Investment in Tourism” held in Brussels, the Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis said that, whilst the European Union aims at keeping Europe as a leading destination, improving and maximising the industry's contribution to economic growth and employment is also key to sustaining the tourism sector.

During the panel speech which was also addressed by the Minister of Tourism for Bulgaria Nikolina Angelkova, Commissioner Marianne Thyssen and MEP Istvan Ujhelyi, discussions were held as to how to make better use of European Structural and Investment Funds so as to boost tourism, which is a growth engine for EU regions.

During his opening address, Minister Zammit Lewis emphasised four aspects of the tourism sector on a European level. Above all he said “it is important that the EU and its member states, together with other organisations such as UNWTO and OECD, work effectively together and not as competitors”.

Moreover, he added that the EU commission should also assign more importance to tourism at all levels of the European hierarchy, including at the ministerial level. This will help strengthen tourism, incentivise investment, and increase competitiveness, as well as growth and jobs which will boost the European economy in general.

The third point relates to the funding opportunities which should take into consideration the relevance of tourism to the overall economy, while stressing the importance of creating more funding opportunities in current and future funding programmes. The Minister reiterated “that within the private sector, mobilising investments is essential for job creation, long-term economic growth and competitiveness. In an increasingly competitive environment, and if Europe is to hold its ranking as the number one tourism destination, policy and strategies established at an EU level must have the necessary capacity to deliver added value.”

Finally, the Minister made reference to the importance of further public-private partnership initiatives that can work to further develop the industry. He added that, “since tourism responds rapidly to investment inputs, the EU and all member states should work even closer with the private sector for the creation of further public-private partnership initiatives while furthering the direct relevance on the development of other economic sectors”. The key to maintaining Europe's leading market position lies squarely in investment, by both governments and industry players, added the Minister.