Tourism is an important economic activity in the European Union with a high potential of contributing to higher employment and economic growth as well as to development and socioeconomic integration also in rural, peripheral or underdeveloped areas.

Statistics in this field are not only used to monitor tourism-specific policies, but also play a role in the wider context of regional policy and sustainable development.

In November 1995, the Council of the European Union adopted a Directive ‘On the collection of statistical information in the field of tourism’ (Council Directive 95/57/EC) requiring the national governments of the EU Member States to provide a regular set of specific tourism statistics.

The Commission Decision of December 1998 (1999/35/EC) implemented some aspects of this Directive. Amendments in 2004 and 2006 concerned the enlargement of EU and recent changes in the world market for tourism.