15.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L9/23 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 9 December 1998 on the procedures for implementing Council Directive 95/57/EC on the collec- tion of statistical information in the field of tourism (notified under document number C(1998) 3950) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/34/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 95/57/EC of 23 November 1995 on the collection of statistical informa- tion in the field of tourism ('), and in particular Articles 3, 7 and 10 thereof, Whereas, to facilitate the collection of harmonised statis- tics, the definitions to be applied to the data collection characteristics need to be determined; Whereas, to facilitate data collection, it is necessary to determine the transmission procedures for the data required; Whereas, during the transition period, it is appropriate to grant the necessary derogations to the Member States, to allow them to adapt their national statistical systems to the requirements of Directive 95/57/EC; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Statistical Pro- gramme Committee established by Decision 89/382/EEC, Euratom, () OJ L 291, 6. 12. 1995, p. 32. HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The definitions to be applied to the data collection char- acteristics and the adjustments to the breakdown by geographical areas, in application of Article 3 of Directive 95/57/EC, are those set out in Annex I Article 2 The detailed rules for data transmission procedures, in application of Article 7 of Directive 95/57/EC, are those set out in Annex IL Article 3 The derogations to be granted to the Member States, in application of Article 10 of Directive 95/57/EC, are those set out in Annex IIL Article 4 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 9 December 1998. For the Commission Yves-Thibault DE SILGUY Member of the Commission