21. 1. 89 Official - Journal of the European Communities No L 17/53 COUNCIL DECISION of 21 December 1988 on an action programme for European Tourism Year (1990) (89/46/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas the integrating role of tourism can be turned to account in order to prepare for the establishment, in 1993, of the large area without frontiers ; ‘Whereas tourism promotes greater knowledge of cultures and life styles of Member States of the Community among their citizens, especially young people; Whereas tourism represents an economic sector of major importance for the Member States of the Community; Whereas the European Parliament, in its resolution of 22 January 1988 on the facilitation, promotion and financing of tourism, proposed that 1990 be declared European Tourism Year; Whereas the Ministers responsible for tourism stressed the importance of tourism for the completion of the internal market at their informal meetings on 6 May 1988 and 3 September 1988 ; Whereas the most serious problem confronting tourism in Europe is its over-concentration in the high season with congestion of transport and accomodation services as well as deterioration of the mnatural and man-made environment and under-utilization of capital and human resources in the low season; . Whereas it is therefore important to encourage a better utilization of existing tourism infrastructure and equipment; whereas European Tourism Year should present a valuable opportunity for attaining this objective ; Whereas European Tourism Year can promote greater awareness throughout the Community on the oppor- () OJ No C 293, 17. 11. 1988, p. 12. (3 OJ No C 326, 19. 12. 1988. (%) Opinion delivered on 23 November 1988 (not yet published in the Official Journal). tunities and advantages of extending the tourist season for the regions of the Community ; Whereas efforts should be made during European Tourism Year to encourage citizens of all Member States, especially young people, to travel abroad to acquire a greater awarness of the reality of Europe; Whereas, to ensure uniform application of this Decision, a Community procedure for the enactment of implementing rules should be established; whereas a committee should be set up to provide a forum for close and effective cooperation between the Member States and the Commission in this field; Whereas the Treaty does not provide, for the action concerned, powers other than those of Article 235, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 1990 shall be declared European Tourism Year. Article 2 The objectives of European Tourism Year are, to: — prepare for the establishment of the large area without frontiers, turning the integrating role of tourism to account in the creation of a people’s Europe, — stress the economic and social importance of the tourism sector, snter alia in regional policy and job creation. To this end, coordinated actions shall be undertaken by the Community, the Member States and private organ- izations, in particular to: — promote greater knowledge among the citizens of the Member States, particularly young people, of the cultures and life-styles of the other Member States, — promote a better distribution of tourism over time and location while respecting the quality of the environment, particularly by encouraging the staggering of holidays and the development of alternatives to mass tourism, and of new destinations and new forms of tourism, — promote’ intra-Community tourism, particularly by facilitating the movement of travellers and tourism from third countries to Europe.