Business & Economy
July 18, 2025
Mediterranean Observer
Mediterranean Observer
Commission Proposes Revised ETIAS Travel Authorisation Fee Ahead of 2026 Launch
The European Commission has proposed increasing the application fee for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) from €7 to €20. ETIAS, which will be mandatory for visa-exempt non-EU travellers entering the EU, is designed to enhance security and streamline entry procedures. The fee adjustment reflects inflation since the 2018 adoption of the ETIAS […]
April 15, 2025
Mediterranean Observer
Mediterranean Observer
EUTourism Stakeholder Event
The European Commission will be hosting an EUTourism Stakeholder Event on the 27 May. Get informed of the latest policy developments in Brussels, including updates on the future EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, single digital booking & ticketing, multimodal services for seamless travel, EU-funded projects and more! Be inspired by examples from smart tourism destinations and […]
2min
8191
April 14, 2025
Mediterranean Observer
Mediterranean Observer
UN Tourism: World Tourism Barometer – January 2025 Edition
UN Tourism published the first edition of the 2025 World Tourism Barometer, which can be accessed here. This report delves into a number of topics, such as: International tourist arrivals, 2024 International tourism receipts, 2024 Best performing destinations and markets, 2024 UN Tourism Confidence Index Outlook for 2025
1min
8577
March 25, 2025
Mediterranean Observer
Mediterranean Observer
Policy Update | Waste Framework Directive Revision
The EU institutions adopted the revision of the Waste Framework Directive. Key elements of the revised text include: 30% per capita reduction in food waste by 2030 from retail, distribution, restaurants, and households, based on the 2021–2023 average; 10% reduction in food waste by 2030 from processing and manufacturing, also benchmarked against the 2021–2023 average; Reduction targets are legally […]
1min
7785
March 11, 2025
Mediterranean Observer
Mediterranean Observer
EU Council adopts VAT in the digital age package
The Council has approved the VAT in the Digital Age package, modernising EU VAT rules to align with the digital economy. The reform, aimed at boosting competitiveness, reducing VAT fraud, and easing administrative burdens, includes a directive, a regulation, and an implementing regulation. Key measures include: fully digital VAT reporting for cross-border B2B transactions by […]
1min
8846
March 10, 2025
Mediterranean Observer
Mediterranean Observer
A Union of Skills to equip people for a competitive Europe
The EU recently launched the Union of Skills initiative to enhance basic skills, promote lifelong learning, and support workforce mobility across the EU. By 2030, it aims to reduce underachievement in literacy, mathematics, science, and digital skills to below 15%. The initiative also includes a Skills Guarantee pilot to help workers in restructuring sectors transition to new careers […]
1min
8358
March 5, 2025
Mediterranean Observer
Mediterranean Observer
Applications Open: European Capital of Smart Tourism and European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2026
The European Commission is launching the 2026 editions of the European Capital of Smart Tourism and European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions, inviting cities across the EU and Single Market Programme (SMP) countries to showcase innovative smart and sustainable tourism practices. Applicants must submit their proposals online by 30 May 2025 (17:00 CET). Shortlisted […]
1min
7439
February 20, 2025
Mediterranean Observer
Mediterranean Observer
The EU agrees to reduce food waste and set new rules on waste textile
The European Union has taken a significant step towards sustainability with a provisional agreement between the Council and the European Parliament to reduce food waste and introduce new rules on textile waste management. The agreement sets the first-ever EU-level targets for food waste reduction by 2030, including a 10% reduction in processing and manufacturing and […]
2min
10029
January 16, 2025
Mediterranean Observer
Mediterranean Observer
Eurostat: Nights booked via online platforms up 18% in Q3 2024
According to a recent report by Eurostat, in Q3 2024, the EU’s short-term rental market experienced notable growth, with 366.2 million guest nights booked via platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and Tripadvisor. This marked an 18% increase compared to Q3 2023 (310 million nights) – highlighting the ongoing rise in demand for platform-based accommodations. Growth […]
1min
4368
November 21, 2024
Mediterranean Observer
Mediterranean Observer
Online Webinar: 10 Digital Trends to Watch in the World of Restaurants
HOTREC and TOPOSOPHY are hosting a webinar on the top 10 digital trends transforming the food service industry, from innovative menu engineering and AI-driven solutions to the rise of automation. Date: November 29 – 10:00 AM Tailored for SMEs, this session will explore practical solutions to boost productivity and efficiency through technology. Click here […]
1min
8947
