EU Commissioner Announces EUR 2.9 Billion for Sustainable Tourism Initiatives

EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas has announced that the European Union will present its first strategy for sustainable tourism this spring, with EUR 2.9 billion available in the short term to improve connectivity between transport modes.

EU Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas confirmed that the European Union will introduce its first strategy for sustainable tourism this spring. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to improve travel within EU borders and address remaining obstacles related to the single market.

Tzitzikostas stated that the EU has implemented measures such as passenger rights, the removal of roaming charges, and world-leading safety standards in air transport. He noted that challenges remain due to fragmentation in areas such as cross-border train ticket purchases and varying professional qualification requirements.

The EU will provide EUR 2.9 billion in the short term for investment in connectivity between transport modes, with a focus on air and maritime transport. The funding aims to promote the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels to reduce carbon emissions associated with tourism.

Tzitzikostas identified overtourism as the second-biggest challenge, after climate action. He said excessive tourism can overburden infrastructure and natural resources and make housing unaffordable for local residents, undermining competitiveness. He called on the tourism industry to ensure that both tourists and locals benefit from tourism activities.

The commissioner highlighted the European Tourism Data Space (ETDS) as a tool for managing tourist flows. The ETDS is intended to handle data for the tourism industry, facilitate secure data exchange, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and establish common standards for key data groups.

Tzitzikostas also referenced “Destination Europe” as a brand access point for sustainable and competitive tourism.