EU Commissioner Tzitzikostas calls for sustainable tourism – ITB Berlin | News
EU Commissioner Tzitzikostas announces the EU strategy as a “crisis and future-proof tourism model”. 2.9 euros bi. should be made available in the short term for better connectivity between modes of transport.
The first EU strategy for sustainable tourism will be presented this spring. This was confirmed by EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas. Tzitzikostas said the European Union has already achieved a lot in making travel within its borders easier and more attractive. Many of the obstacles that still existed reflected that the Single Market was still a work in progress.
In addition to Europe’s many natural attractions and cultural diversity, political stability provided great opportunities for the expansion of tourism, especially in times of crisis. Much had already been achieved at European level, for example in the areas of passenger rights, the abolition of roaming charges and leading safety standards in air transport.
Structures that are ‘more resilient and future-proof’
“But we will continue,” Tzitzikostas said, “because international competition is getting stronger.” What is needed, he said, are “more resilient, smarter and future-proof” structures on which to build sustainable and inclusive tourism for the next decade. The existing fragmentation was a source of wasted time, unnecessary costs and emissions. He cited as examples the purchase of cross-border train tickets and the varying requirements for professional qualifications.
The carbon footprint must be reduced, he said. In the short term, the EU would provide €2.9 billion for investments, especially in air and maritime transport, to promote renewable and low-carbon fuels.
Organizers must limit overtourism
Tzitzikostas described overtourism as the “second biggest challenge” after climate action. If too many tourists overload infrastructure and natural resources, and if housing becomes unaffordable for locals, this undermines competitiveness. The Commissioner urged the tourism sector to ensure that added value is created for both tourists and locals. “In the long run, quality wins,” he warned.
The European Tourism Data Space (ETDS) could help manage tourist flows. It is designed to handle industry-wide data and provide secure data exchange, support for small and medium-sized businesses, and common standards for key data groups. Finally, Tzitzikostas recommended “Destination Europe” as a brand entry point for sustainable and competitive tourism.
