Interview With MEP Elissavet Vozemberg, Chair of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee

As Chair of the Transport and Tourism Committee, what are your top priorities for ensuring that the European tourism and hospitality industry can contribute to the EU’s economic growth in the coming years?

As Chair of the Transport and Tourism Committee, my top priorities for the tourism and hospitality industry rest on three pillars; enhancing sustainability, promoting digital innovation, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Prioritizing sustainable tourism practices, which preserve both our cultural heritage and reduce the degradation of the environment, will ultimately help drive economic growth. Investments in green infrastructure along with institutionalized encouragement of eco-friendly tourism practices are key examples of ways in which we can promote sustainable tourism. Furthermore, these past years, Europe has undergone a vast digitalization. This is another fundamental priority for the sectors of Transport and Tourism, as digital innovation has the capability to streamline operations, open new markets, and of course, improve the experiences of tourists, which is essential for long-term tourism. Finally, SMEs play a crucial role in the European economy, and thus supporting this industry is of mass importance to the TRAN committee and their objectives. In short, by reducing regulatory burdens through the digitalization of administrative practices and offering certain governmental incentives, the TRAN committee aims to reduce the burden of SMEs. By focusing on these areas, we can ensure that the European tourism sector remains a dynamic contributor to the EU’s economy while also addressing the challenges posed by climate change and technological disruption.

How will the European Parliament guarantee that the EU’s sustainability goals are balanced with the competitiveness of the hospitality sector, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises?

The European Parliament has been, is, and will continue to be heavily committed to achieving sustainability goals while ensuring that the certain sectors, such as hospitality sector, maintain and increase their competitiveness, particularly for SMEs. Acknowledging that sustainability is not only imperative for the environment but also a competitive advantage is crucial in this matter. To find the right balance between these two notable objectives, the European Parliament is advocating for policies that incentivize sustainable practices, such as tax breaks for SMEs which invest in energy-efficient practices and work towards reducing harmful waste. Additionally, we strongly advocate to streamline regulations, which will making it easier for businesses to comply with environmental laws and standards without being burdened by excessive costs or a lack of extensive knowledge of the legal framework. As SMEs are crucial to our economy, we are advocating for a tailored approach to support SMEs, so as to effectively help them transition to sustainable models. Our approach ensures that while we strive for sustainability, we do not undermine the competitiveness of the sector, especially for the smaller players who are a vital contributor to European tourism.

In your role as Chair, how do you envision addressing the challenges posed by digitalization and online platforms to ensure fair competition and protect the interests of traditional hospitality businesses?

Digitalization and the rise of online platforms present both opportunities and challenges for the traditional hospitality sector. As Chair of the Transport and Tourism Committee, I believe it is essential to create a fair and balanced regulatory framework that protects traditional business practices while embracing innovation and progress. One of our top priorities is working to ensure full transparency and fairness in the operation of online platforms, especially in the areas of pricing, data usage, and consumer rights. By advocating for clear guidelines on how these platforms should interact with traditional hospitality businesses, we aim to eliminate anti-competitive practices, which pose as obstacles to fair competition and the interests of the traditional hospitality sector. Moreover, as digital innovation is key in the advancement of the EU hospitality sector, we are supporting initiatives that help traditional businesses harness digital tools, which enhance their competitiveness by allowing them to compete in our increasingly digital world. These digital tools range from online booking systems to digital marketing strategies. By promoting a level playing field, the European Parliament and the TRAN committee aim to protect the interests of traditional hospitality businesses while enabling them to benefit from the opportunities that digitalization offers.

HOTREC is the umbrella association of hotels, restaurants, cafés and similar establishments in Europe. We advocate for 47 national associations in 36 European countries. Together we are the voice of European hospitality. Our mission: represent and champion the interests of the industry towards the EU and international institutions, foster knowledge sharing and best practices among our members, promote innovation, and act as a platform of expertise for the sector.