Enlargement of the European Union

The Enlargement of the European Union will help create a ''more complete and coherent European tourism industry, which should be recognized in the future European Constitution'' according to the World Tourism Organization.

''With the fall of political borders and increased awareness of tourism products in the new Members of the 'EU family', we may expect an increase in East-Western European tourism flows and vice-versa, ''says the WTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli. ''The new countries are not juct destinations, but tourism-generating markets as well.''

It reveals that Europe is a very stable tourist destination compared to other large regions in the world. The enlargement process contributed to this by inducing international arrivals not only in the new Member States, but also between old and new Memeber States. The still existing gaps in income and the differences in travel habits open a tremedous number of business opportunities and offer incentives to improve competitiveness.