Tourism is an important economic activity in the European Union
because it contributes to:
- Employment and economic growth
- Development and socioeconomic integration in rural, peripheral or underdeveloped areas
Uses of the Data
Tourism statistics can be used to monitor:
- Tourism-specific policies
- Regional policy and sustainable development
History of Data Collection
- 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) which required the EU Member States to provide regular and specific tourism statistics
- December 1998 − The Commission Decision (1999/35/EC) implemented some aspects of this Directive
- 2004 and 2006 − Amendments in 2004 and 2006 concerned the enlargement of EU and recent changes in the world market for tourism
- July 2011 - The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted a new Regulation concerning European statistics on tourism and repealing Council Directive 95/57/EC, with reference year 2012 onwards (Regulation (EU) No 692/2011).
- October 2011 - The European Commission adopted the Regulation (EU) No 1051/2011 implementing Regulation (EU) No 692/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning European statistics on tourism, as regards the structure of the quality reports and the transmission of the data.
