Labour member of the European Parliament, Joseph Muscat has appealed to the European Commission to keep its pledge to streamline the regulatory regime governing tourism, to press for an agreement to have restaurants benefit from a reduced VAT rate, and to make sure that EU rules help ports in countries such as Malta to attract more cruise liners.

Mr Muscat was speaking during a debate on tourism during the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg. He reminded European Commissioner Gunter Verheu-gen, who is responsible for this sector, that during the Tourism Forum held in Malta he stated the commission’s commitment to review the current regulatory regime – some 250 directives, rules and regulations – that the European Union imposes on the tourism sector.

Mr Muscat said that there was the need for progress in this streamlining process and that the European Parliament, the National Parliaments and stakeholders need be more closely involved.

“Unfortunately, one of the few changes we have heard of during the past weeks was that relating to the increase in visa charges for non-EU citizens to travel to our countries. Has the commission taken into consideration the effect that this might have on the tourism sector?” asked Mr Muscat.

He expressed his disappointment at the fact that restaurants have yet again been excluded from qualifying for a reduced VAT rate. This business sector deserves to be assisted. Lip service on its own will no longer do, he said.

The Labour representative also pointed out the need to enhance competitiveness in the cruise liner business, where European ports are facing stiff competition from non-EU terminals simply because the latter are not bound with certain rules. This is a sector which has significant potential and whose development must be facilitated.

Turning to synergetic marketing campaigns, Joseph Muscat said that smaller countries and regions in the EU needed to be made more visible both inside and outside the continent.

“These countries do not have the necessary resources to fund a fully-fledged, stand-alone campaign in, say Asia. Nevertheless, the EU can help by coordinating a synergetic campaign,” the Labour MEP said.