by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 2:15 PM ET, Wed February 14, 2024
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) issued a call to action for the European Union today, February 14, to encourage the region to support the travel and tourism industry in three key ways.
The European travel industry employs over 22 million people and contributes 1.4 trillion euros to the EU economy. According to the call to action, that number could grow to reach 1.9 trillion euros by 2033, one-tenth of the total EU economy. The industry’s projected growth would also add 4 million more jobs, to reach one in eight jobs across the region.
Member states and stakeholders are encouraged in the call to action to invest in more sustainability and reach net zero emissions targets, simplify the visa process, provide visa-free travel, and implement greater industry digitalization, including ethically adopting AI.
"The Travel & Tourism sector is a key driver of economic growth in the EU and the measures within our Call to Action will ensure the sector continues to grow sustainably, attract new talent and prosper,” said Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO.
“We urge the EU to adopt these recommendations for the benefit of businesses and travelers globally,” Simpson continued. “As the sector modernizes and unlocks the digital transformation of travel, together with the European Union we can achieve unprecedented growth."
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