Promoting Destination Europe
To enhance the visibility of Europe as a tourist destination and increase tourism to the EU, the Commission is implementing a wide range of communication and promotion activities. It is also taking measures to make it easier to travel to Europe.
Europe, whenever you’re ready
From 2012 to 2014, the Commission ran its first international tourism campaign, ‘Europe,whenever you’re ready’ to encourage international tourists to discover Europe. The campaign had a large impact and plenty of social media coverage.
With contributions from well-known travel writers, journalists, and bloggers, this initiative highlighted Europe's diverse cultural and natural heritage, and showcased the wide variety of unique opportunities that the continent has to offer. Contributors’ first-hand experiences showcased not-to-be missed sights, as well as the ‘roads less travelled’ in a wide range of European destinations.
The booklet, ‘Europe, a thousand different stories - Six themes, one continent: a journey of a lifetime’, was published as part of the campaign.
Visit the website of Europe, whenever you’re ready.
Cooperation with the European Travel Commission
The Commission cooperates with the European Travel Commission (ETC), the non-profit organisation responsible for promoting Europe as an international tourist destination, in particular to non-EU countries.
Since 2012, the Commission has co-financed the preparation and implementation of a dedicated Destination Europe 2020 strategy – a programme of activities designed to increase the visibility of Europe as a destination in key long-haul markets.
The Commission and the ETC have also met businesses and potential tourists in major international events and travel fairs.
The ETC gathers 33 European National Tourism Organisations who collaborate and share best practices, and develop market intelligence for better marketing and promotion of ‘Destination Europe’.
The ETC is responsible for VisitEurope.com
Simplifying visa rules
According to a Commission study of 2012, a total of 6.6 million potential tourists from six target markets analysed were ‘lost’ due to difficulties with visa applications. In order to stimulate the European economy and to facilitate the arrival of tourists to the EU, the Commission proposed important changes to visa rules in April 2014.
From 2012 to 2014, the Commission ran its first international tourism campaign, ‘Europe,whenever you’re ready’ to encourage international tourists to discover Europe. The campaign had a large impact and plenty of social media coverage.
With contributions from well-known travel writers, journalists, and bloggers, this initiative highlighted Europe's diverse cultural and natural heritage, and showcased the wide variety of unique opportunities that the continent has to offer. Contributors’ first-hand experiences showcased not-to-be missed sights, as well as the ‘roads less travelled’ in a wide range of European destinations.
The booklet, ‘Europe, a thousand different stories - Six themes, one continent: a journey of a lifetime’, was published as part of the campaign.
Visit the website of Europe, whenever you’re ready.
Cooperation with the European Travel Commission
The Commission cooperates with the European Travel Commission (ETC), the non-profit organisation responsible for promoting Europe as an international tourist destination, in particular to non-EU countries.
Since 2012, the Commission has co-financed the preparation and implementation of a dedicated Destination Europe 2020 strategy – a programme of activities designed to increase the visibility of Europe as a destination in key long-haul markets.
The Commission and the ETC have also met businesses and potential tourists in major international events and travel fairs.
The ETC gathers 33 European National Tourism Organisations who collaborate and share best practices, and develop market intelligence for better marketing and promotion of ‘Destination Europe’.
The ETC is responsible for VisitEurope.com
Simplifying visa rules
According to a Commission study of 2012, a total of 6.6 million potential tourists from six target markets analysed were ‘lost’ due to difficulties with visa applications. In order to stimulate the European economy and to facilitate the arrival of tourists to the EU, the Commission proposed important changes to visa rules in April 2014.
