TOURISM EUROPE FORUM (TEF) AND PURPOSE

The purpose of the European Parliamentary Tourism Forum under the acronym TEF would be to facilitate the exchange of information between the European Parliament and stakeholders interested in tourism. The TEF would be a non-profit and independent organisation supported by a wide range of MEPs from different political groups through a Steering Committee.

Main Purposes

1. To promote integration of a well functioning European market for tourism across national borders which is globally competitive and the benefit of the European economy as well as suppliers and consumers of tourism products and services;
2. To provide a focal point and resources for Members of the European Parliament interested in tourism issues as well as a forum for industry-Parliamentary dialogue;
3. To deploy the joint expertise of tourism industry members to spread factual information about tourism to the European Parliament via briefs, meetings, study visits and other regular activities as appropriate.

The value of the TEF would lie in its position as acknowledged and reliable sources of information allowing debate and the issuance of impartial commentaries on key issues in the heart of the European legislative agenda. The TEF would not take in itself positions on specific issues.

In order to guarantéee its independence and neutrality, the TEF would have a dedicated Secretariat, and its membership would represent key stakeholders in tourism (e.g. companies, research organisations, associations). The TEF would provide contributions that are balanced and neutral and foster conditions enabling an open dialogue and improved transparency.

Concretely, the TEF would offer the possibility

• To engage in discussions with MEPs during their events;
• To provide high-level experts, guest speakers;
• To contribute to the drafting of briefing papers;
• To meet with other representatives from the whole industry sector in Brussels;
• To be referred in publications and websites.

For MEPs

• The TEF would be good for getting views across to more engaged MEPs
• The TEF would be useful to get a broader information on specific issues and obtain the opinions from the industry.

For Industry Participants

• The TEF would provide a unique opportunity to engage in an open-minded dialogue with MEPs on the most topical regulatory initiatives affecting tourism and to highlight the political decisions to be made and their potential implications
• Participation in the TEF would be good for networking and for being confronted with different opinions both among MEPs and industry participants.