Robert Ashdown, Secretary General of CLIA Europe, said: “CLIA Europe warmly welcomes the European Commission’s new Strategy for more Growth and Jobs in Coastal and Maritime Tourism, published today.
Despite the economic turndown, the cruise industry in Europe has continued to grow, delivering strong, sustainable growth, and we are poised to keep growing in the future.
We will continue to work with the European Commission to further unlock the potential of Europe’s unique maritime and coastal assets. Together we believe we can boost the tourism industry, and make a significant contribution to growth and job creation across Europe.”
“We are delighted the European Commission has recognised the cruise industry’s major contribution to growth and jobs in Europe. As the Commission acknowledges, in 2012 the industry generated direct expenditures of € 15.5 billion and employed almost 330,000 people across Europe. It was one of the few industries in Europe to grow during the economic crisis.”
Marco Digioia, CLIA Europe’s Government Affairs Director, said: “We strongly appreciate the European Commission’s commitment to help the maritime tourism sector develop and prosper.
We believe that the new strategy will strengthen Europe’s position as the world’s number one tourist destination, by focusing on concrete measures to overcome the hurdles to growth. In this context we look forward to the Commission’s forthcoming Visa Code Review, which we hope will provide an early opportunity to make a positive impact.”
Marco Digioia continued: “CLIA Europe agrees with the Commission that coastal and maritime tourism makes up the economic backbone of many coastal regions and that poor infrastructure in coastal areas is acting as a constraint. Investment in infrastructure such as improvements to the connections between cruise terminals and the hinterland is central to improving tourists’ experiences of a city and beyond, thus encouraging return business resulting in a positive impact on the economy of the region as a whole.”
Despite the economic turndown, the cruise industry in Europe has continued to grow, delivering strong, sustainable growth, and we are poised to keep growing in the future.
We will continue to work with the European Commission to further unlock the potential of Europe’s unique maritime and coastal assets. Together we believe we can boost the tourism industry, and make a significant contribution to growth and job creation across Europe.”
“We are delighted the European Commission has recognised the cruise industry’s major contribution to growth and jobs in Europe. As the Commission acknowledges, in 2012 the industry generated direct expenditures of € 15.5 billion and employed almost 330,000 people across Europe. It was one of the few industries in Europe to grow during the economic crisis.”
Marco Digioia, CLIA Europe’s Government Affairs Director, said: “We strongly appreciate the European Commission’s commitment to help the maritime tourism sector develop and prosper.
We believe that the new strategy will strengthen Europe’s position as the world’s number one tourist destination, by focusing on concrete measures to overcome the hurdles to growth. In this context we look forward to the Commission’s forthcoming Visa Code Review, which we hope will provide an early opportunity to make a positive impact.”
Marco Digioia continued: “CLIA Europe agrees with the Commission that coastal and maritime tourism makes up the economic backbone of many coastal regions and that poor infrastructure in coastal areas is acting as a constraint. Investment in infrastructure such as improvements to the connections between cruise terminals and the hinterland is central to improving tourists’ experiences of a city and beyond, thus encouraging return business resulting in a positive impact on the economy of the region as a whole.”
