Feb03GovtReport

In its November 13, 2001, statement titled “Working Together for the Future of European Tourism,” the European Commission proposed an operational framework and measures to be undertaken with the aim of strengthening European tourism. Both the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers endorsed its approach. One of the measures put forth concerned an improved interface between European tourism stakeholders, including an annual European Tourism Forum.

On December 10, 2002, more than 450 participants from a wide range of backgrounds in tourism gathered in one of the largest meeting rooms of the European Commission for the first European Tourism Forum, to discuss and find solutions to the challenges confronting the European Union (EU) tourism industry.

The European amusement parks industry was well represented with a seven-person delegation, five of them being CEOs of parks.

The main issues on the table were cooperative efforts and perspectives of European Tourism; sustainability; and business impact assessment.

By choosing these topics, the European Commission wanted to contribute to a EU-wide debate and process, complementing the efforts to improve sustainable competitiveness in the European tourism sector.

More than 27 speakers and moderators and another 70 attendees expressed their opinions about the various topics. It immediately became very clear again that we work within a very diverse industry and that it will always be difficult to “speak with one voice” or to reach 100 percent agreement about the ways the EU should address the needs of the European tourism industry.

Although many of the speakers expressed that the time for talking was over, now was the time for action, it was not clear what actions needed to be undertaken and who was going to do what. Commissioner Erkki Liikanen accurately expressed this situation in his closing speech: “The fact that stakeholders might have diverging views is not a problem—it is a challenge. Such views need to be expressed with the common interest at heart. We need a wide consultation and thorough debate to reach solutions acceptable to all.”

Commissioner Liikanen looked directly at the representatives of the industry when he emphasized, “You, the sector, and its interests, are invited to do what is needed to contribute to success. Be prepared to provide good information that allows impacts to be properly assessed. Think ahead.”

There can be no doubt that his is one of those great challenges for our parks industry as well. If we want the European Union to assess the impact of its measures on our industry, we will need good information and data on our industry to get such a system really working to our advantage.

One concrete outcome of this European Tourism Forum was the promise that Italy, which will be chairing the European Union during the second half of 2003, will host the second European Tourism Forum in December 2003.

Recently the amusement industry has experienced rapidly increasing insurance premiums, but it is not likely to bethe case in the long run. For example, in the U.K. increases of 200 percent and above on insurance premiums have been quite usual, and Australia has reported similar increases.

This negative effect could be caused by several factors. Most important, there is a continued increase in liability claims from employees and guests at parks and resorts. The claims culture has rapidly grown to become the most influential issue in determining the price we pay for insurance.

We are aware of the need to continuously review our claims management procedures to ensure we are acting in the best interests of all concerned. More important, we are an industry that fully accepts its responsibilities to provide a safe environment for our guests.

In the U.S. some states are considering a Uniform Rider Behavior Safety Act, which places more responsibility on the riders to behave in a safe way to protect themselves and others. This action is to be applauded and encouraged if we are to reduce the liability claims history and increase our chances of positively influencing our premiums.

We should review our risk management policies and claims handling procedures, as well, which can provide opportunities for positive action and potential basis for your insurer to take another look at his premium.