Live from Brussels – Issue 114

Fred Guerdin ©

Dear readers,

In its recent publication of statistics, Eurostat confirmed that hospitality businesses are still paying the costs of the pandemic. Compared to the last quarter of 2019 the number of bankruptcies in the accommodation and food services sector in Q4 2022 increased by 97.7%.

Despite the very positive data on tourism recovery in 2022 published by the European Travel Commission, we need to remain wary and support hospitality SMEs. Considering shortages in labour forces, inflation and energy prices being high, many SMEs are still vulnerable.

These issues were at the centre of our discussion with the two co-chairs of the SME intergroup of the European Parliament: MEPs Martina Dlabajová and Angelika Winzig. We thank them for continuing to support SMEs in our sector, which constitute the backbone of the European economy.

We are glad to see that the European Commission is also taking its part in rebuilding SMEs by putting forward the SME Relief Package announced last September by President von der Leyen during her State of the Union address.

As highlighted by Commissioner Breton last November during the SME assembly in Prague the package is composed of two main features: combatting late payments and making it easier to do business. Multiple elements are considered to enter this package and we, at HOTREC, would like to integrate the following:

  • Relieving SMEs from the administrative burden they face by limiting the implementation of new rules. The latter should be predictable and proportional for entrepreneurs.
  • Supporting SMEs through their digital and green transition by helping them secure financing: both through bank loans and private/public investors and accessing funding from the European Union.
  • Assisting companies in difficulties, especially entrepreneurs facing bankruptcy.

The other major issue faced by SMEs today is the need to attract staff and help them up-skill and re-skill. I was glad to contribute to a cross-sectoral approach on Overcoming labour & supply chain shortages in Europe. The report was conducted by the European Movement International and sponsored by METRO.

We discussed policy recommendations on labour shortages, especially in the context of the double transition, green and digital. Changing mindsets to establish a culture of lifelong learning, ensuring a better matching between workers and jobs, and enhancing job attractiveness to lead to better work retention were the key propositions we came up with. This issue is one of the examples that demonstrate the need to further strengthen and promote the crucial role of the sectorial social dialogue.

In other news, we are currently putting the hospitality SMEs’ needs and priorities forward in the latest negotiations at the European level on Short-Term rentals, Energy Performance of Buildings and Packaging and Packaging Waste.

We will discuss all these issues and more during our next General Assembly in late April. We look forward to welcoming our members to Costa Adeje on the island of Tenerife.

Stay tuned and enjoy your reading!


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Circular economy



Cutting the mustard of packaging

The packaging saga goes on.

Competitiveness, Market and Economy



Discussing SMEs recovery with MEP Angelika Winzig and MEP Martina Dlabajová

Since the European Parliament does not have a Committee solely focusing on SMEs issues, the SME Intergroup serves as a joint platform for MEPs and stakeholders with an interest in fostering and ensuring a business-friendly environment, in which SMEs can thrive.

Live from the network



Tourism for all: DIVETOUR European project

HOTREC Director General Marie Audren and Public Affairs Manager Marine Thizon took part in the third meeting of the Erasmus plus Divetour project on accessibility in tourism on 8 and 9 March in Barcelona.


HOTREC webinar on bio-waste collection

Jointly with the International Food Waste Coalition, HOTREC hosted on 16 February 2023 a webinar on bio-waste collection.


A roadmap for HORECA glass collection: 30 March

Register to the webseries on glass collection in HORECA : 30 March 2023


RESTwithEU Open Call

If you are interested in it you can check all the information about the Open Call on their webpage.

Short-term rentals (STR)



Member states reach an agreement on EU Short-Term Rental (STR) proposal

On 2 March and after quick negotiations, the EU Ministers approved member states’ negotiation position on the EU STR proposal.

Social Affairs



A financial and administrative solution is necessary to help the EU social dialogue survive!

On 25 January 2023, the European Commission presented an initiative to further strengthen and promote social dialogue at national and EU level.

Statistics



Eurostat data - The hospitality sector hit hard by recent covid-19 crisis and high energy prices

The hospitality sector recorded the highest increase in bankruptcies amongst businesses since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sustainability



European Parliament votes on Energy Performance of Buildings: exceptions and derogations are welcomed, incentives are needed

On 9 February 2023, the Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee of the European Parliament adopted its position on the proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) by 49 votes to 18, with 6 abstentions.


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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
On 27 September 2023, HOTREC, together with other social partners representatives, will meet wit the European Commission to discuss the future organisation of the Social [...]
Events on 08/09/2023
Events on 11/09/2023
Events on 12/09/2023
Events on 18/09/2023