An industry report claims that the ten new member states of the European Union (EU) could receive a huge economic boost if they improved their appeal to tourists.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the new member countries could create three billion new jobs and e46bn (£13bn) in GDP if they tap into their tourism potential.

Hungary and Poland are singled out as having the greatest potential, with a combined untapped economy of E20bn and two million jobs.

This week, the WTTC revealed a new manifesto to the EU, highlighting the opportunities and benefits of investing in tourism-related infrastructure and technology.

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president, WTTC, said: “The EU has a unique opportunity to welcome the new member states with a travel and tourism development plan which can create wealth and jobs across the entire EU community.

“Positive action would increase the demand for domestic, inbound and outbound travel and tourism among all EU member states. This manifesto sets out the opportunity and guidelines for the EU institutions and member states to drive the potential for travel and tourism growth.”

According to the WTTC, the ten new member states could reach the target of e46bn (£13bn) by simply catching up with the rest of the EU. Last year, the tourism industry represented and average of 7.3 per cent of GDP in the ten new countries, while the figure for existing EU countries was 8.3 per cent.

The manifesto calls for cooperation between the private sector and central and local governments to ensure that public money is put into transport networks, airports and air traffic management. This, the WTTC argues, will lead to higher traffic flows – which will, in turn, attract further private investment.

WTTC is a global forum for the tourism and travel industries and comprises of chairs and chief executives of tourism organisations around the world.