EBI faces a growing to-do list as boating sector faces stronger demand

The European Boating Industry faces a growing to-do list in lobbying the EU as Europe, finally, gets a grip on Covid-19 and its recreational boating sector faces strong post-pandemic demand. The EBI workload, presented by the lobby’s president, Jean-Pierre Goudant, at an online April 20 International Breakfast Meeting, i.e. meeting of EU and boating sector officials, reflects how much more activist the Brussels-based lobby has become lately. The online event was held against a backdrop of rising vaccinations and strong growth forecasts for Europe’s recreational boating sector.

Boat Duesseldorf Director Petros Michelidakis predicted a 4% annual growth rate for the sector between now and 2027. Ismail Ertug, a German socialist and member of the European Parliament, said tourism, long an ignored policy area for Europe, is fast gaining economic significance. He said today better tourism services, sustainability, pan-EU harmonization and ramping up digitalization are key priority issues. Responding to that, the EBI recently struck a closer partnership with the International Council of Marine Industry Associations, joined anti-pollution initiatives and pushed the European Parliament to include its views in a nautical tourism report.

High on the EBI’s to-do list is pan-EU recognition of skipper qualifications, better VAT rules “on boats and marinas and promoting cross-border routes for nautical tourism,” said Goudant.

The VAT issue is about reduced rates for accommodation on marinas and charter boats across the 29-nation EU.

“We believe there should be flexibility for countries to set reduced rates if they wish. This can help create a level playing field across the tourism sector. Tourism must be at the forefront of the green and digital transitions. And that it receives adequate funding to face the difficulties presented by the Covid-19 crisis”, said Goudant during the International Breakfast Meeting. 

Source: IBI News