The ten countries that joined the European Union last May could generate 3 million jobs and 47 billion euros ($56 billion) in added economic output if they boosted their tourism industry to western standards, according to an industry survey released on Monday.
The travel and tourism industry represents an average of 7.3 percent of gross domestic product in the 10 new members, compared with 8.3 percent in their 15 older EU counterparts, the London-based World Travel and Tourism Council said..
Hungary and Poland were cited as the new member states with the most earning potential. Hungary could expect to create 900,000 jobs and Poland 1.5 million jobs, according to research published by the WTTC..
The industry group, whose members include leaders of 100 of the world's biggest travel-related businesses, urged the EU to make boosting tourism and travel in the new countries, mostly in eastern Europe, a high priority..
It called on the EU to make laws concerning taxation, competition and liberalization more "intelligent and sensitive" to the tourism sector and increase "targeted investment" into transport networks..
"Positive action would increase demand for domestic, inbound and outbound travel and tourism among all EU member states," said Jean-Claude Baumgarten, council president..
The report was based on data collected annually by the WTTC and Oxford Economic Forecasting..
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