Tourism

International Driving Permits

The FIA Tourism Services Department participated in two sessions of the UNECE Working Party on Road Traffic Safety (WP.1) this year – the 86th session from 13-17 March 2023, and the 87th session from 25-29 September 2023. The Department also held two International Driving Permit (IDP) Network meetings following these WP.1 sessions.

The focus of the IDP Network meetings was to update the Network on the discussions taking place at WP.1 and to actively engage with the topic of domestic and international driving licenses. The meetings also further clarified Clubs’ positions on the future format options of the IDP.

The FIA strengthened its position within WP.1 by advocating for and securing a return to a driver permits discussion forum involving an Informal Group of Experts. This expands the decision-making process so that a more practical solution can be found, with emphasis on who is mandated to issue IDPs and the minimum-security features to be introduced.

These discussions will continue through early 2024 in conjunction with the WP.1 Informal Group of Experts meetings.

Carnet De Passages En Douane (CPDS)

Key Figures in 2023

Sales of Carnets de Passages en Douane (CPDs) in 2023 were extremely strong with the highest total sales since 2015. The biggest growth markets were seen in the Middle East.

The Carnet de Passages en Douane YouTube page also generated significant visibility and, by the end of 2023, the English language version of the CPD instructional video had amassed 129,000 views. The Arabic version garnered just under 20,000 views and a Spanish version was also made available. The CPD website also launched its ‘trip planner’ feature which allows users to pre-route their anticipated trip and determine where a CPD is required.

The FIA Tourism Department continues to explore new geographical expansion opportunities for CPD use, with a focus on Asia as a market, specifically the Ashgabat Corridor.

Advocacy 

In February, June, and October 2023,  the FIA was present at UNECE in Geneva, Switzerland for the Working Party on Customs Questions affecting Transport (WP.30). 

In December 2023, an Informal Group of Experts on the Digitalisation of CPDs was created to receive input from the contracting parties to the 1954 and 1956 Conventions on Temporary Importation of Private and Commercial Vehicles, respectively.  

The FIA and the World Customs Organization (WCO) continued to collaborate on the 1999 Istanbul Convention for Temporary Importation of Vehicles.  

In 2023, the FIA Tourism Department also worked with the United Nations World Tourism Organization, with a special focus on sustainable tourism practices and road safety. 

VIAFIA

In 2023, a total of 370 questions were answered through VIAFIA’s Problem-Solving Network (PSN). In total, over 950 questions have been answered since the launch of the platform.

Over 260 users are currently on VIAFIA. The FIA Tourism Department continues to improve topic information and upload related material, with more than 3,500 topics updated in 2023.

VIAFIA 3.0 was also launched this year. The latest iteration features expanded search results, and allows the ability to select multiple countries when posing a question to the Problem-Solving Network. Looking ahead, VIAFIA will explore AI potential within the site and continue to identify points of improvement for user experience.

Youth Engagement 

In 2023, the partnership between École Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in Switzerland and the FIA was reaffirmed, with the aim of investigating potential expansion into China. EHL students conducted a study outlining ways in which the Federation could contribute value to the country and enhance advantages for mobility users, the government, and Member Clubs. In a separate initiative, three student groups at EM Lyon worked on the development of a roadmap for the expansion of FIA activities into India and China.