Live From Brussels – Issue 112

 

Dear readers,

Welcome to another issue of our ‘Live from Brussels’ newsletter.

In early October, HOTREC members reunited for our 85th General Assembly in Stockholm. Mr Alexandros Vassilikos, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels in Greece, was unanimously elected as the new President of HOTREC. He will lead a newly elected Executive Committee for a mandate of two years, commencing on 1st January 2023. We are grateful to these individuals for volunteering their time and energy to ensure that HOTREC and our industry are successful in delivering on their ambitions.

The Assembly was also a time to reflect on our current priorities for hospitality in Europe. We discussed the issues faced by our restaurants, hotels and bars : high food and energy prices, inflation, and labour shortages. We also exchanged best practices to tackle these challenges: sustainability practices, training programmes for young people and innovative solutions to recruit and retain staff.

These pressing issues are at the centre of our discussion with Petri Salminen, President of SMEunited, the recognized employers’ organisation of crafts and SMEs in Europe, whom I want to thank for a clear overview of their propositions to support SMEs.

As COP27 is still ongoing, it’s a time to reflect on how the hospitality industry can take part in fighting climate change. Building a more sustainable future for our staff and customers is at the core of our ambition as entrepreneurs. We strongly align with the EU Green Deal’s objective to prevent waste and uphold circularity within our operations. On this topic, the European Commission’s intent to reduce and prevent packaging waste in its upcoming directive review goes in the right direction. However, the Commission needs to set realistic targets allowing our small and micro enterprises some time to shift.

In other news, the long-expected STR initiative was released by the Commission on 7 November 2022. The initiative is an important step and opportunity to level the playing field amongst all accommodation providers, and establish a framework that will protect and benefit consumers, residents, local communities, and the entire EU tourism ecosystem.

We are looking forward to sharing all our key messages with the Members of the European Parliament on 29 November 2022 for European Hospitality Day. 30 delegates from our membership will be exchanging with MEPs on ‘the future of hospitality: Digital, Green and Resilient’ during a working lunch co-hosted by S&D MEP from Malta, Josianne Cutajar.

Stay tuned and enjoy your reading!


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Interview



Discussing SMEs with Mr Petri Salminen, President of SMEUnited

Interview of Petri Salminen, President of SMEunited

Circular economy



EU packaging rules need to be realistic: A thriving hospitality sector depends on it

Let’s unwrap the basics first: we strongly align with the EU Green Deal’s objective to prevent waste and uphold circularity within our operations.

Energy



A swift decrease in energy prices is urgently needed!

We welcome the efforts done by the EU institutions in introducing measures that will help curb energy prices.

Live from the network



How accessibility is good for business

As a service industry always thinking about the consumer first, we reflect on accessibility in tourism and how considering specific access requirements can bring economic benefits.


HOTREC at EquipHotel International Trade Show

On 8 November, HOTREC organised a panel discussion on the digitalisation of the hospitality sector that took place during the EquipHotel international trade show for professionals in the hotel and restaurant sector.

Short term rentals



HOTREC welcomes European Commission proposal for Regulation on Short-Term Accommodation Rentals

On 7 November, the European Commission presented the proposal for Regulation on Short-Term Accommodation Rentals.

Social Affairs



Platform workers: automatic reclassification of self-employed into employees needs to be avoided!

While the European Parliament is preparing its internal compromise amendments within the EMPL committee, and the Council prepares itself to issue its general approach, HOTREC continues actively passing its main messages to the co-legislators.

Sustainability



Council reaches general approach on Energy Performance of Buildings

On 25 October 2022, the Council reached a general approach on the Energy Performance of Buildings recast.


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Calendar

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08 Sep
08/09/2023    
09:00 - 13:00
List of Participants Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Tourism Minister, will join us during the morning for an exchange (timing will be confirmed later) Draft Agenda [...]
Together for EU Tourism (T4T) stakeholder meeting
11/09/2023    
09:00 - 13:00
On 11 September 2023, the European Commission (DG GROW) will organise the first stakeholder event to support the co-implementation of the Transition Pathway for Tourism. This will be a hybrid event, taking place in Brussels and online.
Social Affairs Working Group meeting
12/09/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
On 12 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of its Social Affairs Working Group.
Members session on HOTREC European elections manifesto
14/09/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
On 14 September 2023, HOTREC will organise a members-only session to discuss the upcoming European Elections (June 2024). 
HOTREC Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee meeting
18/09/2023    
09:30 - 13:00
On the morning of 18 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of the Sectoral Social Dialogue (SSD) Committee. 
HOTREC Short-Term Rentals (STRs) Working Group meeting
21/09/2023    
10:00 - 11:30
On 21 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of its Short-Term Rentals Working Group.
Pact for Skills - Coordination meeting
21/09/2023    
15:00 - 16:30
On 21 September 2023 took place the 13th Coordination Meeting on the Pact for Skills - an initiative bringing together different skills national partnerships. The [...]
Social Dialogue reform - meeting with European Commission
27/09/2023    
09:30 - 12:00
Main outcome of the meeting available
Meeting MEP Engerer office - rapporteur Green Claims (ENVI)
28/09/2023    
10:00 - 11:00
Participants: - Sera Cutajar (assistant MEP Engerer (Malta/S&D - rapporteur ENVI committee / Green Claims file)) - S&D political advisor - Marta Machado Main outcome: [...]
Events on 08/09/2023
Events on 11/09/2023
Events on 12/09/2023
Events on 18/09/2023