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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Meeting DG HOME + DG GROW: Ukrainian refugees
01/03/2023    
14:00 - 15:00
On 1 March 2023, HOTREC held a meeting with DG Home and DG GROW on the Ukrainian refugees topic.  Participants to the meeting European Commission [...]
Pact for Skills - coordination meeting
02/03/2023    
15:00 - 16:30
Main outcome of the meeting available
09 Mar
09/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
Presentation and draft minutes are now available.
European Platform Undeclared Work - Ukraine refugees sub-group
09/03/2023    
10:00
Participants:  Participants of ELA (European Labour Authority), labour inspectors from Member States, European Federation of Employers; HOTREC (Marta Machado) Agenda Subgroup on displaced persons and [...]
10 Mar
10/03/2023    
11:00 - 12:00
ExCom Video Conference Link ExCom draft agenda - 10 March 2023 Draft Minutes of ExCom meeting of 25 January 2023 Antitrust Statement HOTREC Statutes HOTRE [...]
14 Mar
14/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
We are delighted to invite you to the Social Affairs Working Group meeting, taking place on 14 March 2023, online. Please register by using this [...]
Sectoral Social Dialogue meeting
20/03/2023    
10:00 - 13:00
We are delighted to invite you to the next Sectoral Social Dialogue (SSD) meeting, which will be hybrid, taking place on 20 March 2023 (from [...]
23 Mar
23/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
SAVE THE DATE: 23 March Exact timing and agenda TBC
Online Series: 90 Minutes to Close The Loop
30/03/2023    
14:00 - 15:30
Online Series: 90 Minutes to Close The Loop Episode 9 – broadcast live on the 30th of March 2023 at 14:00 to 15:30 Roadmap for [...]
Events on 01/03/2023
Events on 02/03/2023
Events on 10/03/2023
Events on 14/03/2023
14 Mar
Events on 20/03/2023
Events on 30/03/2023