EUROPEAN ELECTIONS 9J
Recommendations for a self-propagating sector in Europe
The European Tourism Agenda 2030 outlines Brussels’ roadmap, including upcoming measures to enhance passenger rights and to raise workforce qualifications across the continent.
While a formal European debate on the future of the tourism sector is limited, a 2021 European Parliament resolution on sustainable tourism urges the European Commission to respect local authority rights to regulate against overtourism and to consider conditions in extreme regions such as the Canary Islands when shaping tourism-related legislation.
Several political parties touched on tourism in their European election manifestos. For instance, the European People’s Party pledges to strengthen the tourism sector and to promote Europe’s rich cultural heritage, contributing to a revival of tourism within the EU, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tourism is also a concern for the Greens, who advocate controls on short-term tourist rentals to keep city housing affordable and rents low. Likewise, the European Left highlights how tourism activities impact housing access in various regions of Spain, underscoring the importance of biodiversity and balanced land use.
Although the European Union does not hold the direct tourism powers that member states do, it possesses tools to shape and respond to the sector. Tourism employs more than 12 million people and contributes about 10% to European GDP. The Lisbon Treaty, which took effect in 2009, established the groundwork for a European tourism policy by committing to boost the competitiveness of tourism companies and to develop a holistic approach in Article 195.
In recent years, progress has been driven by the European Tourism Agenda 2030, which lays out a broad framework of communications, decisions, measures, and a comprehensive set of tasks for regions, member states, and the Community Government to implement in line with the Transition Roadmap for Tourism. Brussels has accepted this direction.
Ongoing measures in the European pipeline include a review of passenger rights, protection of package travel consumers, and the creation of a common mobility data space. The agenda also calls for developing integrated tourism strategies ready by 2025 and finalizing a skills agreement to raise job qualifications in a sector facing worker shortages by 2030. It addresses education gaps and the need for effective workforce development as part of a broader competitiveness push.
The European Union, while not wielding direct tourism powers, shows its capacity to steer the sector through policy coherence, funding programs, and cross-border collaboration. The agenda aligns with broader objectives of sustainable growth, resilient communities, and inclusive access to travel. It emphasizes the value of cultural heritage, digital integration, and responsible tourism practices that benefit local economies and environments alike.
Key steps include strengthening consumer protections, expanding data-driven mobility planning, and fostering regional strategies that reflect local realities. By 2030, the aim is a more competitive, sustainable tourism sector that safeguards the environment and supports vibrant communities across the European Union.
The ongoing work under the European Tourism Agenda 2030 integrates policy reforms, stakeholder collaborations, and targeted investments to ensure a robust, inclusive tourism sector across Europe.