Daniel Attard ġie maħtur bħala n-negozjatur ewlieni tal-Parlament Ewropew fuq il-viżjoni għat-turiżmu sostenibbli fl-Ewropa.
Din il-ħatra tfisser li Dr Attard se jmexxi n-negozjati f’isem il-Parlament Ewropew dwar kif il-politika tat-turiżmu għandha tiġi riformata sabiex tkun aktar sostenibbli, inkluż kif tista’ tindirizza l-isfidi strutturali li qed jiffaċċjaw diversi reġjuni.
Din il-ħatra saret f’mument deċiżiv, hekk kif il-Kummissjoni Ewropea qed tfassal l-istrateġija tagħha fuq sfond ta’ sfidi dejjem jikbru fil-qasam tat-turiżmu, fosthom dawk relatati mal-infrastruttura, il-ħaddiema, l-akkomodazzjoni u l-enerġija.
F’dan il-kuntest, l-Ewroparlamentari Laburista fisser li t-turiżmu ma jistax u m’għandux jitqies f’iżolament, iżda fil-kuntest tas-setturi kollha li jimpatta: it-trasport, l-enerġija, l-iżvilupp sostenibbli, il-ħarsien tal-ambjent u l-kompetittività ekonomika.
Daniel Attard żied li “it-turiżmu għandu jkun forza ekonomika, opportunità ta’ impjieg u mezz ta’ mobilità soċjali. L-għan hu li jkollna strateġija konkreta li twieġeb għas-sfidi komuni, tipproteġI l-wirt kulturali, u tagħti futur aħjar lil kulħadd, sew l-industrija, il-ħaddiema, in-negozji żgħar, il-familji u l-komunitajiet”.
Huwa qal ukoll li l-ħidma tiegħu se tkun iffukata biex Malta u Għawdex ikunu parti minn viżjoni Ewropea li tpoġġi r-reġjuni żgħar u gżejjer fuq quddiem nett tal-iżvilupp turistiku sostenibbli.
Dr Attard ikkonkluda li għal Malta u Għawdex, it-turiżmu kien u jibqa’ kontributur ewlieni tal-ġid nazzjonali u pilastru ta’ miżuri soċjali u progressivi. Għaldaqstant, f’dan l-inkarigu ġdid il-prijorità tiegħu se tibqa’ d-difiża u t-tisħiħ tal-interessi ta’ Malta fl-Ewropa.
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Daniel Attard appointed as the European Parliament’s lead negotiator on sustainable tourism
Daniel Attard has been appointed as the European Parliament’s lead negotiator on the vision for sustainable tourism in Europe.
This appointment means that Dr Attard will lead negotiations on behalf of the European Parliament on how tourism policy should be reformed to become more sustainable, including addressing the structural challenges faced by various regions.
The appointment comes at a decisive moment, as the European Commission is drafting its strategy against the backdrop of growing challenges in the tourism sector, including those related to infrastructure, workforce, accommodation, and energy.
In this context, the Labour MEP explained that tourism cannot and should not be considered in isolation, but rather in the context of all the sectors it impacts: transport, energy, sustainable development, environmental protection, and economic competitiveness.
Daniel Attard added, “Tourism should be an economic force, an employment opportunity, and a driver of social mobility. The aim is to have a concrete strategy that addresses common challenges, protects cultural heritage, and offers a better future for everyone, whether it be the industry, workers, small businesses, families, or communities.”
He also stated that his work will focus on ensuring that Malta and Gozo form part of a European vision that places small regions and islands at the forefront of sustainable tourism development.
Dr Attard concluded that for Malta and Gozo, tourism has always been, and remains, a key contributor to national prosperity and a pillar of social and progressive measures. Therefore, in this new role, his priority will remain the defence and advancement of Malta’s interests in Europe.