The importance of European Tourism for local and regional development has been one of the key topics of the European Committee of the Regions in 2016. The CoR own-initiative opinion 'Tourism as a driving force for regional cooperation across the EU' by EPP-CoR Rapporteur Hanspeter Wagner, Mayor of Breitenwang in Tirol in Austria, was adopted today in the Plenary session by Europe's local and regional leaders.
"We can hardly overstate the importance of tourism for Europe. Throughout 2016 we have stressed the need for SMEs in the tourism sector to join forces in regional investment platforms for improved access to financing as well as the role of tourism as a promotor of European citizenship. The package also highlights the important role local and regional authorities have in enabling smart development in the sector through cutting red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy. Success doesn't happen by accident – it is born out of creating the proper conditions for European tourism to bloom." Rapporteur Wagner emphasised at the adoption of his opinion.