The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism (TRAN) committee has backed a series of proposals aimed at reshaping how tourism is managed across the European Union, with a focus on sustainability, connectivity and local communities. The non-binding resolution comes as the EU prepares to unveil its first ever common tourism strategy in the coming months.
Adopted by 33 votes in favour, four against and four abstentions, the report highlights the need to rebalance tourism flows, improve transport links and ensure that the sector continues to benefit both travellers and residents.
“I welcome the strong support for my report shaping Europe’s first sustainable tourism strategy. It delivers on connectivity to rebalance flows beyond hotspots, strengthens culture as the keystone of quality tourism, advances environmental action, boosts skills and mobility, and ensures short term rentals serve communities, rather than exploiting them,” said MEP Daniel Attard, Transport and Tourism committee rapporteur.
Redirecting flows to tackle overtourism
A central concern for MEPs is the growing pressure on popular destinations. According to the committee, around 80% of travellers visit just 10% of global destinations, creating significant strain on infrastructure, housing and local communities.
To address this, MEPs advocate redirecting visitors towards lesser known areas, including rural regions, mountains and remote destinations. They point to experiences such as gastronomy, wine, beer, heritage and cycling tourism as key tools to diversify demand, extend travel beyond peak seasons and generate income in emerging destinations.
This approach echoes broader EU ambitions to better manage tourism flows and ensure that local communities remain at the heart of the sector.
Connectivity at the core of sustainable tourism
Improving transport connections is another priority identified by the committee. MEPs call on the European Commission to include a dedicated support mechanism in its upcoming tourism strategy to strengthen air, sea and land links to emerging destinations.
They also propose measures to make travel more sustainable and seamless, including support for electric vehicle leasing and charging infrastructure, the expansion of cross border night trains, and the rapid rollout of integrated ticketing systems covering rail, air and maritime transport.
Short term rentals under scrutiny
The resolution also addresses the impact of short term rentals on local communities. While welcoming new EU rules set to apply from 20 May 2026, MEPs warn that unregulated growth can lead to housing shortages, loss of authenticity and the displacement of residents.
They call for a stronger EU framework to define service standards, clarify host categories and allow member states to introduce caps, authorisation schemes or zoning systems where necessary.
Eco taxes and community benefits
MEPs highlight the growing use of environmental tourism taxes in several European destinations, noting their potential to fund projects that benefit both residents and the environment.
They suggest that sharing best practices across the EU could help regions design effective schemes that support sustainable tourism while maintaining competitiveness.
Addressing skills shortages and supporting heritage
Labour shortages remain a major challenge for the sector. To improve mobility and working conditions, MEPs propose the creation of a tourism skills card, enabling workers to document qualifications and experience across borders.
The report also recognises the role of cultural professionals, local organisations and volunteers in preserving Europe’s heritage. MEPs urge the Commission to develop guidelines that encourage cultural volunteering and strengthen community engagement.
A strategy in the making
The committee’s recommendations come at a pivotal moment for European tourism policy. As reported by Travel Tomorrow, the European Commission is preparing to present its first common tourism strategy in spring 2026.
European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas has underlined both the scale and urgency of the task. With tourism accounting for around 10% of EU GDP and supporting millions of businesses and jobs, the sector faces mounting pressures from climate change, geopolitical instability and infrastructure constraints.
The upcoming strategy is expected to focus on maintaining Europe’s global leadership, ensuring benefits for local communities, and investing in innovation, mobility and skills. It will also address a critical workforce gap of around one million workers in the tourism sector. In this context, the TRAN committee’s proposals offer a clear signal of Parliament’s priorities ahead of the strategy’s release.
