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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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