Parliamentary question

Question for written answer to the Commission

In connection with the measures taken to contain the spread of Covid-19, the meeting industry (trade fairs, conferences, etc.) was one of the first sectors that was forced to shut down. Given the nature of the work, it will also be among the last to reopen.

This is an activity which is labour-intensive and where human knowledge is key. The collapse of businesses in this sector would entail the loss of many jobs and valuable know-how. Given the multiplier effect of activities in this industry, its collapse would also cause further economic, social and societal harm more broadly (trade fairs have an impact on the development of businesses and the sale of their products; conferences generate additional income in tourism and provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and behaviour in many areas of activity, etc.). In Slovenia, these activities provide around 15 000 jobs in total. Europe-wide the figure is far higher. We would therefore like to know:

1. Given the specific situation facing the meeting industry in connection with the crisis resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, is the Commission drawing up tailored measures for this sector to mitigate the consequences and accelerate the recovery?

2. Is the Commission, together with the Member States, drawing up guidelines for an exit strategy for the meeting industry?

Answer given by Commissioner Thierry Breton on behalf of the European Commission

The MICE segment (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions) is among sectors benefiting from a number of emergency measures put in place by the Commission to alleviate the immediate burden on firms affected by COVID-19. It should also benefit from for ‘Next Generation EU’, a new recovery instrument of EUR 750 billion, as well as from targeted reinforcements to the 2021-2027 EU budget proposed by the Commission on 27 May 2020. The Commission proposal recognises tourism, including MICE, among the most affected sectors. While Member States will ultimately decide on recovery priorities and investment needs, tourism should be supported under this ambitious recovery instrument, while also remaining eligible for financial aid under several EU programmes.

The gradual reopening of the meeting industry as part of a broader tourism sector has been facilitated by the comprehensive package of initiatives to resume transport and tourism in a safe manner adopted by the Commission on 13 May 2020. In the autumn 2020, the Commission will hold a tourism convention to have a collective dialogue about long term vision of tourism in the EU and its transformation in view of its sustainable recovery and green and digital transition. This long term vision will encompass the whole tourism ecosystem, including the MICE segment.