Competition law applies across all sectors of the economy, including the art market, recreational activities, education, and the EU’s active tourism and sports sectors. Recent cases have seen competition policy applied to many diverse sectors that fall within these parameters including publishing and gaming.
In the past, the Commission has set forth the main principles on the joint sale of sport media rights and investigated exclusivity arrangements concerning ticket sales arrangements.
Tourism is a critical sector of the economy of the European Union, comprising multiple sub-sectors, that are all subject to the application of EU competition law.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the State aid Temporary Framework ensured that government aid was provided to those sectors worst affected, such as the tourism sector.
Over the lifespan of the Temporary Framework, the Commission approved aid for tourism and many of its subsectors such as: businesses operating from airports (for example, shops, restaurants, ground handling services and car hire); HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés), travel agencies and tour operators, event organisers, passenger rail services, zoos, retailers, passenger ferry services, ski-lift operators, and health spas.