Activities of Gheorghe FALCĂ related to 2022/2008(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the implementation of the Updated New Industrial Strategy for Europe: aligning spending to policy
Amendments (42)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
— having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 25 March 2021 ‘on establishing an EU strategy for sustainable tourism’ (2020/2038(INI)),
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the tourism sector represents 11.6 % of all jobs in 2019; whereas The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reported that 3.6 million jobs were lost in Europe in 20201a; The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic, and unprecedented impact on the tourism sector sharply reducing tourism flows and thus the revenues of tourism-related businesses with an overall contribution of tourism to total GDP in Europe that halved from 9.5% in 2019 to 4.9% in 2020; _________________ 1a Relaunching transport and tourism in the EU after COVID-19 Part IV: Tourism sector
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Commission’s policy report ‘Transition Pathway for Tourism’ highlights the need to further accelerate the green and digital transition of the tourism ecosystem, which is mostly composed of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); ith more than 99% of the businesses in the EU tourism sector is composed of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)1b; _________________ 1b European Commission, Annual Single Market Report 2021, SWD(2021) 351 final.
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas travel patterns have changed because of the health emergency, showing a tendency towards uncrowded and close-to-home destinations; whereas the new challenges caused by the geo- political situation;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas tourism is an important and multifaceted industry with significant multiplier effects on other industries, making it a priority in the EU Agenda, yet more visibility is required regarding the coverage of tourism in financial programs and EU policies;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas destinations in peripheral regions, rural areas and islands, including the EU outermost regions, have specific challenges relating to the travelling options available for visitors and thus they are also more vulnerable towards negative socio-economic impact of the green transition;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Recital B e (new)
Recital B e (new)
Be. whereas the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) should ensure economic, social and territorial cohesion and accessibility across the EU and its regions, including rural, remote, mountainous, sparsely populated, peripheral, island and outermost regions, thus stimulating economic growth and job creation and reducing inequalities, fostering digitalisation and innovation, enhancing adaptability and resilience with direct impact on tourism industry;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Recital B f (new)
Recital B f (new)
Bf. whereas a balanced development of transport corridors across Europe, ensuring north-south and east-west connectivity in the whole of Europe, is necessary in order to further strengthen economic, territorial and social cohesion while boosting the recovery and resilience of tourism;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Recital B g (new)
Recital B g (new)
Bg. whereas the adoption by the Commission of the Fit for 55 Package, which intends to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 does not took in consideration the impacts of some specific legislation on the tourism ecosystem and its competitiveness;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Recital B h (new)
Recital B h (new)
Bh. whereas the Commission policy report ‘Transition Pathway for Tourism’ does not include a clear governance and an action plan to answer Tourism challenges and common solutions;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has shown once again that the EU is highly dependent on energy supply from third countries;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas a high level of energy supply dependency, such as on Russia, and high energy prices can be detrimental to the production capacities of European companies;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Transition Pathway for Tourism and calls on the Commission to establish an online stakeholders’ collaboration platform, managed by the Commission to further implement the co- creation process;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Regrets that the monitoring and co-implementation process of the Transition pathway for tourism does not involve the European Parliament, TRAN Committee and the Tourism Task Force, neither other EU institutions such as the Committees of Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee; calls on the Commission to establish a new governance between the EU Institutions;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers it regrettable that the EU multiannual financial framework and NextGenerationEU did not provide any specific funding for the tourism industry which have been significantly negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemics, current war in Ukraine and soaring fuel prices weighing on the demand; therefore calls for an overview of the financing opportunities from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the Multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2021-2027 to better inform and promote financial opportunities for tourism stakeholders in Member States;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Encourages the Commission to create specific calls and actions for tourism ecosystem under the current funding programmes of the MFF 2021- 2027;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Welcomes the Guide on EU funding for tourism and calls on the Commission to map the difficulties and create appropriate tools, by analysing which programmes of the guide are suitable for implementing targets of the transition pathways, to increase the share of tourism and travel companies on total using of funds;
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to support SMEs and micro-businesses (including artisans) in the tourism sector, by fostering innovative initiatives, simplifying bureaucracy and encouraging education and training and provision of funding for upskilling and reskilling (mainly on new digital and green skills), to stimulate new tourism offerings in terms of destinations and experiences; calls on the Commission to establish an European Union Tourism Academy Platform;
Amendment 61 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to set out a new strategy for the EU tourism ecosystem, with a clear action plan, to support investments that contribute to a more sustainable form of tourism and to maintain Europe's standing as a leading destination while maximising the industry's contribution to growth and employment and promoting cooperation between EU member states, particularly through the exchange of good practice;
Amendment 65 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Encourages Member States to apply selection procedures and easing the access to the tourism ecosystem for ERDF- funded tourism investments to support this new strategic orientation;
Amendment 66 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Highlights the importance of sharing knowledge in digitalisation and tourism between different stakeholders to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and research; to develop creative and innovative solutions; and to collaborate with universities, tourism schools and knowledge centres to transfer and produce knowledge for the industry;
Amendment 67 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Amendment 68 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Stresses the need for all Member States to have a well-developed, smart, safe and sustainable TEN-T network which facilitates mobility, connectivity and territorial accessibility across the EU, particularly in peripheral regions, island and outermost regions, in order to promote and boost European and international tourism; calls on the Commission to pay particular attention to missing cross-border links and their completion and to connectivity;
Amendment 69 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 f (new)
Paragraph 3 f (new)
3f. Stresses that a paradigm shift is necessary in order to rebuild the tourism industry; the weak financial situation of tourism operators and liquidity problems, mainly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), may negatively affect investments in the digital and green transition;
Amendment 70 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 g (new)
Paragraph 3 g (new)
3g. Requests the Commission to propose a roadmap towards achieving a major reduction in administrative burdens affecting SMEs in the tourism and transport sectors and reiterates its request to the Commission to draft a comprehensive strategy for the tourism sector.
Amendment 71 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 h (new)
Paragraph 3 h (new)
Amendment 81 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to include the tourism industry in the EU data strategy and to support the establishment of data spaces that will benefit the sector by creating a framework for improved data sharing; in this context, invites the Commission to harmonise data collection rules on tourism statistics and calls on the Commission to create a Tourism common data space;
Amendment 84 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Believes that short run solutions are very important and tourism governance needs to be improved by developing a bold and dedicated EU tourism strategy (The European Agenda for tourism 2030/2050), in partnership with different authorities at all governance levels and industry players, with clear aims, objectives, funding opportunities and implementation plan;
Amendment 87 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Highlights that investments in digital infrastructure, tourism data strategy, implementation of emerging technologies and development of employees' digital skills and competences are essential.
Amendment 96 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to facilitate multimodal journey planning and ticketing through digital services while better regulating the activity of online booking platforms and booking platform intermediaries; calls for the EU framework for short-term rentals to be strengthened, proportional and for new policies to be implemented with a view to enhancing transparency;
Amendment 102 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 104 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to set up a European Agency for Tourism, which among other tasks, shall provide intelligence to the EU and its Member States, enabling them to devise informed strategies based on collected and analysed tourism data, operating crisis management mechanisms, technical support to micro enterprises and SMEs to increase their ability to access and make use of EU funding and financial instruments, and to promote the EU destinations;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to consider the impact of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine on the European industry and its capacities in current and future initiatives and objectives;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls on the Commission and Members States to ensure technology neutrality across the whole transition in order to secure competitiveness; stresses that the exclusion of certain technologies will only weaken the industries ability to pivot in times of crisis or when technologies prove themselves financially, economically or environmentally unsustainable; insists therefore that the most sustainable way of achieving the climate goals is a technological open and cost-efficient way, including all technologies that contribute to reach climate neutrality;
Amendment 155 #
6a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to adopt a holistic approach when it creates incentives to support strategic industrial sectors and their supply chains, such as food, pharmaceutics and others, which are facing a sharp increase of energy, transport and raw materials' costs due to the current conflict in Ukraine; stresses that ensuring sufficient access to affordable, secure and diversified clean energy throughout the single market is going to be key to continue with its integration and to pursue the European industry’s transformation plans, boost its green transition and its global competitiveness; underlines how the development of efficient and integrated logistics networks and infrastructures can ensure a smoother access to transport, energy and digital services increase competitiveness of businesses, reduce barriers in the single market and widen markets for products and jobs; reminds the importance of diversification of supplies and material circularity in particular to reduce reliance on third country imports and increase Union's energy and resources independence;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Underlines the importance of a fully integrated circular economy to create an efficient and decarbonised industry; calls on the Commission to undertake analyses on how products can be recycled and reintroduced into the product cycle; calls on the Commission to give particular consideration when it comes to funding and tender opportunities of the European Union to projects of companies that are innovative frontrunners as regards building and advancing the circular economy;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Is concerned about the increasing level of administrative burden for companies; stresses that Europe is experiencing a turning point due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic; calls on the Commission to introduce a moratorium on bureaucracy, as companies are already severely challenged by high industrial energy prices, in some cases insufficient energy infrastructure, complications in logistics and shortage of skilled workers;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Underlines that the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) intends to prevent the risk of carbon leakage on the EU market; states that it is essential to avoid the risk that products exported from the EU are replaced by more carbon intensive goods on the global market; calls on the Commission to present a legislative proposal to develop WTO- compatible solutions, such as an export adjustment mechanism, to be implemented to avoid carbon leakage on European exports, while preserving emission reduction targets; reiterates that in order for CBAM to be efficient in lowering carbon leakage, all possible circumvention practices should be addressed;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Considers the roll out of the hydrogen economy for the success of the Fit For 55 goals essential; in this regard stresses the need for a broad-based strategy for the importation of renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen and low- carbon energy from as many naturally suitable regions as possible is necessary, also to reduce fossil dependencies;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. Calls on Member States to diversify their energy mix in order to increase the EUs energy security; the energy mix needs to continue to include sources such as LNG and nuclear in order to avoid energy crisis, market distortion, inflation and energy poverty; emphasizes the need for biomass as a renewable source, as well as support for sustainable forest and land management, needed for long-term storage, adaption and removal of carbon;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to bring down the time needed to issue permits substantially and create fast-track permitting procedures for infrastructure that supports industry in the energy transition; calls on Member States and the Commission to establish permitting procedures with a clear governance structure that establishes legal certainty in order to attract the necessary investors and lower the investment risk;