Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
encouraging European Union nationals
to travel to other member states and parti-
cularly the new accession countries such as
the Czech Republic.
an enhancement of destination manage-
ment policies through more coherent and
consistent planning, supported by the local
population, and expressing cooperation
between public and private sectors. Accept-
ance of health insurance also brings savings
to Czech citizens when travelling abroad.
●
Social and employment policy - this has
wide-ranging importance, but the impact
of regulations governing the use of work
equipment is of particular relevance to
restaurants and ski schools.
●
Small and medium-sized enterprises - as a
significant part of the tourism sector is
created by small and medium-sized
enterprises, EU support and funding mech-
anisms during the pre- and post-accession
periods has assisted an increase in the
number of businesses, providing new con-
tacts, encouraging cooperation, facilitating
the free movement of goods and capital.
Most EU policies influence or are influ-
enced by tourism. These include social policy,
consumer protection, environment policy and
transport. As noted in Chapter 1, tourism is
viewed by a number of bodies within the EU, as
well as the WTO and WTTC, as the industry
that will generate considerable employment in
the next 10 years. Enterprises involved in the
industry are perceived as potential contributors
to a number of the EU's key objectives, such as
those of sustainable development, social and
economic cohesion, quality of life and European
integration.
Most EU laws are resulting in higher stan-
dards and a better overall tourism product.
Implementation of such standards, also deriving
from Western tour operators and by the tourism
market itself, are vital for the Czech tourism
industry to remain competitive.
Free movement of services - the role of the
internet, its visual presentation and ready
availability of tourist information on desti-
nations and products is resulting in the
decreasing role of travel agents. More than
a thousand travel agencies operated in the
Czech Republic in 2003, but this number
decreased to 800 in 2004 and this trend
was continuing for 2005. By contrast,
there has been a strong development of
e-marketing and the availability of secure
online reservations as well as a clear under-
standing of the importance of the role of
destination management.
●
Free circulation of people - one of the most
important documents affecting tourism
development in the European Union is the
Schengen Agreement, which the Czech
Republic has yet to implement. When the
country has signed up to this agreement, it
is likely to encourage stronger leisure inter-
est in the arts, culture, history, and educa-
tion of other European members, opening
new opportunities for segmented tourism
products. At the same time, it will enhance
possibilities for Czech citizens to travel
abroad for holidays, business and education.
●
Transport policy - and the implementation
of directives and regulations - has two
major areas of impact: for land transport,
concerning vehicle licensing, safety and
roadworthiness; and air transport liberal-
ization, opening up domestic routes to for-
eign competitors. Consequent increases in
demand for transport access, safety and
security, and price quality, can result in
increased multiplier effects for the Czech
economy: for example, with an increasing
number of weekend trips especially to
Prague, and in reviving small airports in
the provinces.
●
Foreign Exchange Receipts and
Expenditure
Health protection - the acceptance of
European health insurance within the Union
together with growing health-consciousness
is increasing the demand for wellness and
spa products. The environmental conscious-
ness of European citizens is demanding
sustainability in destinations. This requires
●
As one of the largest international industries,
tourism also has a noticeable impact on the
balance of payments of the Czech Republic.
Development of foreign exchange receipts and
expenditure can be divided into two main
periods - in the first, receipts increased and
