For a New EU Integrated Tourism Policy

Tourism is a major economic activity with a broadly positive impact on economic growth and employment in Europe. It is also an increasingly important aspect in the life of European citizens, more and more of whom are travelling, either for leisure or business. As an activity which impinges on cultural and natural heritage and on traditions and contemporary cultures in the European Union, tourism provides a textbook example of the need to reconcile economic growth and sustainable development, including an ethical dimension. Tourism is also an important instrument for reinforcing Europe's image in the world, projecting our values and promoting the attractions of the European model, which is the result of centuries of cultural exchanges, linguistic diversity and creativity.