Following the EU's announcement of the proposed changes to the Schengen Visa Code, David Scowsill, President and CEO of The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) says:

"The World Travel & Tourism Council welcomes the EU visa package announcement by the European Commission yesterday. It will simplify and speed up the processing of visas in Europe and ensure more foreign visitors, increased tourism receipts and more jobs at a vital time for the European economy. But the work is not done. We now strongly encourage MEPS to vote through these proposed changes.

As part of the announcement, Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonia Tajani, stated that "Tourism is Europes growth engine and has been the most important stronghold of the European economy during the recent crisis".' It is rewarding to hear one of Europe's top Commissioners publicly recognising the leading role played by the Travel & Tourism sector in driving the European economy. WTTC speaks on behalf of the sector, with one voice to Governments, encouraging them to appreciate the economic and social importance of the Industry. WTTC and its members work vigorously for visa reform.

WTTC urges Governments to continue to look for ways in which they can adopt smarter visa and border security policies to bolster Travel & Tourism as a driver of jobs and economic growth. We will continue to push for a fundamental change in the minds of Governments - balancing security needs with freedom to travel by moving away from the current approaches to a faster implementation of visa waiver and trusted traveller programmes".

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the industry, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. Travel & Tourism accounts for 255 million jobs globally. At US$6 trillion (9% of GDP) the sector is a key driver for investment and economic growth. For more than 20 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world's leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses. These Members bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, raising awareness of the importance of the industry as an economic generator of prosperity. WTTC's Sustainability Initiative has already concluded a number of projects aimed at driving sustainable economic recovery and growth, namely: the 'Leading the Challenge on Climate Change' report, and 'Climate Change A Joint Approach to Addressing the Challenge'.

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WTTC welcomes EU visa package announcement