Tourism: EU top world destination. New challenges A few days ago the Commission presented a "communication" featuring 21 proposals "aimed at thrusting Europe’s tourism industry" so as to "keep Europe the world’s top destination". The document outlines a policy in support of this sector, on the assumption that "tourism plays an important role in EU economy". It comprises 1.8 million enterprises, many of these being small and medium-sized businesses. It also caters for 5.2% of employment and contributes to more than 5% of European GDP. "The coming years offer a number of challenges and opportunities that need a concerted approach at a European level, while respecting the different features present in Member States at all levels", states the Executive in a note. Accordingly, "The current demographic trend will mean that in a few years time we will have more aged tourists" while "our tourism products and our infrastructure has to be well-catered for that". Tourism products also need to be "more sustainable", thus taking into account commitments related to climate change and dependence on water and energy for example. "With 370 million international arrivals in 2008, Europe has more than 40% of the global figure – a position which needs to be retained". The Commission’s proposals are marked by specific targets: to improve the competitiveness of the tourist sector in Europe (innovation, extension of the tourism season, improving the tourism socio-economic knowledge); to promote the development of sustainable, responsible and quality-oriented tourism"; consolidate the image and the visibility of Europe; Bolster the integration of tourism in the EU policies and financial instruments.JRC: renewable energies, a fifth of the total In 2009, about 19.9% of Europe’s total electricity consumption came from renewable energy sources. Hydro power contributed with the largest share (11.6%), followed by wind (4.2%), biomass, and solar. The data was published in the report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) presented July 5th titled "Renewable Energy Snapshots". The report shows that renewable energy sources accounted for 62% (17GW) of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU27 in 2009". The share rose from 57% in 2008. This means explain the JRC experts that renewable energy sources increased and now account for a fifth of Europe’s energy consumption. The rest were gas fired power stations, coal, oil (2.1%), waste incineration and nuclear.Organic food: new "Euro-leaf" labelNew EU labelling rules of organic food came into force on 1st July, including the requirement to display the new EU organic logo, the so-called "Euro-leaf". Our hope is that the new EU logo can develop into a widely recognised symbol of organic food production across the EU, providing consumers with confidence that the goods are produced entirely in-line with the strict EU organic farming regulations", according to EU Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development Dacian Cioloº. The “Euro-leaf" design shows the EU stars in the shape of a leaf against a green background "passing two clear messages for consumers: Nature and Europe". The logo will now be obligatory on pre-packaged organic food products (it stays optional for non-packed organic products) that have been produced in any of EU Member States and meet the necessary standards. The new labelling rules also include the compulsory indications of place of farming of the products’ ingredients and code number of the body that had been in charge of the controls. Operators "have a two-year transition period to comply" with these new labelling rules.Also rap and rock for the Millennium Objectives A musical competition for youth between 15 and 25 was set up to raise awareness on world poverty. Each participant will create an original song on the general issue of development, and notably on the eight Millennium Development Goals defined by the U.N. Participants are invited to submit their songs by September 30 on the website www.ifightpoverty.eu with full details on the initiative. The winners will get a professional studio recording of their song and will have the opportunity to perform during the European Development Days in December 2010 in Brussels. Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development said, "Music is a powerful tool to mobilise people from all age and all countries". The Commissioner is "looking forward to many contributions from rap, hip-hop to hard rock".
