Major European Hospitality industry stakeholders call for stronger focus by the EU institutions on the sector’s recovery

11 associations and trade unions representing the European hospitality industry and its value chain warmly welcome this week’s discussions at EU level on the survival of the sector.

COVID-19 severely impacted the hospitality industry and its value chain, with establishments being forced to shut down at short notice as part of the collective fight against the virus and many workers being laid off temporarily or definitely.

These hospitality businesses are part of the European social and economic fabric, bringing diversity and vitality to city centres, rural communities, villages and tourist areas across Europe, and providing millions of jobs. This is part of the European way of life, combining tourism, high-quality food, services and culture.

European Parliament Plenary this week: hospitality and tourism high on the agenda It’s been a year since Commissioner Breton announced “A Marshall Plan for the European Tourism”. We appreciate the EU Institutions’ recognition of the massive long-term impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on our industry and their will to further discuss strategies out of the crisis.” But much remain to be done.

In particular, we warmly welcome today’s European Parliament Plenary meeting discussion on ‘Saving the summer tourism season – EU support to the European hospitality sector’, and tomorrow’s vote on the Digital Green Certificate, and look forward to the outcome of the debate.

Up next: continued support and EU funding still needed! Earlier this year, we addressed a letter to the EU Institutions’ Presidents calling for the setting up of a hospitality Task Force to discuss the impact of COVID-19, and deliver a roadmap for the recovery. We still believe this to be essential to grant a faster and solid recovery. We welcome the answer of President Von der Leyen we received today who acknowledges the “vital role the hospitality industry plays for the local economy in our regions, cities, villages and tourist areas. Its contribution not only to the economy but also to our social and cultural fabric cannot be underestimated”.

Increased predictability for hospitality businesses, their workers and suppliers, the development at national level of clear health and safety protocols and dedicated financial and policy support to the hospitality value chain will also be crucial to ensure the sector becomes a motor for growth and employment again.

We believe this will be essential to grant a faster and more solid recovery.