CoR Seeks to Set Up Varied Tourism Services for Seniors

The EU’s CoR (Committee of the Regions) in charge of natural resources is calling on the Commission to make senior tourism central to Europe’s digital agenda, adopting in the process a cross-sectoral approach that will involve different organizations in areas such as healthcare, accessibility and transport.

The committee in late November tabled a draft presented by Sluis Mayor Annemiek Jetten on age-friendly tourism, which it says has enormous potential. The CoR is stressing the need for an integrated approach to age-friendly tourism, which “takes into account both the diverse needs of seniors as well as the strengths of local economies”.

Mrs Jetten also insists that more funding should be made available for seniors under the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).

“With a spending power estimated at more than 3 trillion euros, senior citizens can make a significant contribution to Europe’s tourism industry,” Mrs Jetten said, adding that “seniors who practice tourism are less confronted with health problems and also less exposed to the risk of social isolation”.

With this in mind, the CoR is calling on policymakers to develop affordable and varied tourism services, identify good practices among senior citizen organizations, set up exchange programs for elderly travelers and expand visa exemptions.

The draft opinion is set to be adopted at the February 2016 CoR plenary session.