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Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis, Maltese Tourism Minister, Mr. Tony Zahra,
President of MHRA and European Commissioner Karmenu Vella
during the Malta General Assembly.
Mr. Eiki Nestor, President of the Estonian Parliament, and
Mr. Verni Loodma, President of the Estonian Hotel and
Restaurant Association during the Tallinn General Assembly.
Photographer : Erlend Štaub
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2016
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2017 HOTREC ANNUAL REPORT
Commissioner Vella and Minister Zammit attend HOTREC’s Malta General Assembly
On the occasion of HOTREC’s 73
rd
General Assembly inMalta, on 27-28 October 2016, HOTREC received European
Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for the portfolio of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and
Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis, Maltese Tourism Minister as guest speakers.
Commissioner Vella highlighted the economic importance of tourism in Europe, in particular coastal tourism,
which together with cruise tourism, yachting and marinas, provides almost 3 million jobs and generates
revenues of 400 billion euros in the EU. He announced a call for proposal making available €1.5 million to
promote maritime sites across Europe. He encouraged businesses to embrace innovation to invest in upskilling;
to develop vocational training alliances; to continue promoting Europe as a destination in third countries, namely
in China, in order to make Europe an even more attractive destination.
Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis, presented the priorities of the upcoming Maltese Presidency. The organisation of
a high-level conference on the completion of the Digital Single Market was one of the points announced. The
Presidency will also stimulate discussions on visa facilitation and liberalisation agreements and is willing to
envisage a solution on the Visa Code reform. Substantial progress will be done in the negotiations relating to the
revision of the Waste Framework Directive (which incorporates measures on food waste reduction).
HOTREC fully welcomes the Commission and Council Presidency priorities in the field of tourism. Europe is the
heart of worldwide tourism and should be put at the centre of European economic policy.
HOTREC discusses innovation within its 74
th
General Assembly in Estonia
As digitalisation is changing the nature of our daily life and of the hospitality industry, as well as being one of
Estonia’s driving force, HOTREC organised a specific session on innovation as part of its 74
th
General Assembly
held in Tallinn on 27 April 2017. At the initiative of the President of the Estonian Hotel and Restaurant Association
(EHRL), Mr. Verni Loodmaa, and in presence of the President of the Estonian Parliament, Mr. Eiki Nestor, dozens
of delegates from the hospitality sector across Europe discussed how innovation is changing the hospitality
sector as it is currently working.
In particular, the delegates were presented with the result of a new study from TCI research about designing
the future of the hospitality experience, which was showing the need for even further innovation in hospitality
in Europe to better meet consumer expectations. Besides, examples of new technological developments in the
industry were also presented. The participants also discussed the success of the “e-Estonia programme, digital
society and infrastructure” which gave Estonia a strong leadership in Europe on the digitalisation of the economy,
a phenomenon which also affected the hospitality industry.