Changes from plenary report to adopted text

25. Considers that, in this context, improved destination management should take all vessel port arrivals into account; stresses, furthermore, the need for a balanced and proportionate distribution of scheduled arrivals through berth allocation systems in order to reduce peak-day pressure on destinations and to maximise local economic benefits while minimising environmental impacts on destinations; highlights, furthermore, the need to develop a methodology for calculating the carrying capacity of destinations receiving cruise liner visitors; stresses, in this context, the essential role of destination management organisations (DMOs), together with local authorities and stakeholders, in managing visitor flows and ensuring that cruise tourism contributes to sustainable local development; recommends that the Commission compile examples of good practice to serve as models for other sectors across the EU, building on initiatives such as its 2023 report entitled ‘Good practices for sustainable cruise tourism’, in order to advance tourism sustainability and competitiveness;

26. Emphasises the need for strong, enforceable passenger rights across all transport modes, including complex multimodal journeys, to maintain Europe’s competitive advantage in global tourism, while supporting innovation, competitiveness and investment in the transport sector; takes note of the growing expectations of travellers for reliability, transparency and protection during disruptions and delays, particularly when journeys involve multiple transport modes or operators; underlines, in this context, the need to develop an EU strategy for efficient tourist transport that reduces waiting times, duplicate procedures and administrative obstacles, while advancing the interoperability of tickets and travel documents and the efficiency of border controls; stresses the paramount importance of robust passenger rights for travellers with disabilities and with reduced mobility, first and foremost to strengthen inclusivity and social equity, but also to reinforce Europe’s standing as a provider of accessible, high-quality tourism and transport services, further enhancing the competitiveness of European tourism;

Empowering Europe’s destinations to advance local excellence

27. Warns that unbalanced tourism risks straining destinations, harming local communities and residents, and eroding Europe’s environmental and cultural appeal; underscores, in contrast, that when planned well, tourism holds immense value and potential to generate inclusive benefits, strengthening social cohesion, safeguarding cultural heritage and creating high-quality employment; reiterates that, as an integral component of the EU’s industrial strategy, tourism requires effective governance, including at destination level, and coordinated policy action to distribute demand strategically between established and emerging destinations; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to take action, such as by promoting off-season demand; calls on the Member States to foster the diversification and promotion of less-frequented destinations and activities, and emphasises that these efforts should be supported by data-driven planning and awareness-raising initiatives in order to preserve Europe’s status as a top global destination;

28. Is convinced that the sector’s resilience in navigating diverse challenges requires a clear strategy, well-defined goals and participatory, evidence-based policymaking and legislation; welcomes, in this context, the Commission’s move to develop the first EU sustainable tourism strategy, and acknowledges its potential to provide the Member States, regions and sector stakeholders with a comprehensive framework for shaping a more sustainable, innovative, balanced and inclusive tourism model; believes that the strategy should redefine the role of tourism beyond its immediate economic impact, recognising its contribution to shared prosperity, social cohesion and balanced regional development; calls, in parallel to this strategy, for an implementation plan that assesses the needs and varying levels of connectivity of each tourism region and destination, prioritising tourism infrastructure in vulnerable destinations; stresses that this plan should be supported by an appropriate funding programme, a clear timetable and a strong evaluation process to ensure a coherent and just transition for Europe;

29. Emphasises that, in order to succeed in an increasingly competitive global travel landscape, Europe requires stronger EU-level coordination and investment to elevate its international visibility; calls for the development of a coherent ‘Destination Europe’ framework within the EU sustainable tourism strategy that complements national and regional strategies, strengthens Europe’s global appeal and delivers a consistent, high-quality impression of the continent while celebrating local excellence, supporting Europe’s transition towards becoming a global model destination by 2030;

30. Calls for the establishment of a dedicated directorate-general for sustainable tourism within the Commission;

31. Emphasises that the sector’s cross-cutting nature must be adequately reflected across all relevant EU policies, aligning legislation on transport, the environment, regional and rural development, digitalisation, competitiveness, employment, education and access to affordable housing, and drawing on expertise from all these fields;

32. Highlights the importance of structured, multilevel governance models that systematically involve local and regional authorities, DMOs and private stakeholders, ensuring coherent and inclusive tourism strategies; underscores DMOs’ strategic advantage in leveraging their local presence to expand their outreach and build partnerships with all relevant stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem, including SMEs; highlights the fact that many small and rural destinations lack the administrative and analytical capacity to design and implement sustainable tourism strategies, and could benefit from targeted EU support to strengthen their destination management capabilities; calls, furthermore, on the Member States to strengthen the role of DMOs through financial support, technical capacity, coordination of their activities, and the upskilling of workers required to steer destination management effectively;

33. Points out that structured, multilevel tourism governance models should be strengthened through the development and regular updating of destination management plans, coordinated by DMOs in cooperation with regional and local public authorities, tourism stakeholders and residents, ensuring coherent and inclusive approaches and enabling DMOs to coordinate and advertise diversified local tourism products; emphasises that destination management plans should be based on clear sustainability indicators and, where appropriate, on carrying capacity assessments, ensuring evidence-based planning and long-term competitiveness;

34. Observes that adopting a broader regional perspective on tourism can improve the coherence of transport and tourism planning, reduce policy fragmentation, and promote greater equity, integration and cooperation across areas with varying levels of tourism intensity; highlights the key role of local and regional authorities in shaping sustainable tourism strategies, developing thematic cultural routes, promoting local identity, safeguarding cultural and intangible heritage, and supporting community-led tourism initiatives; underscores, at the same time, the importance of integrating tourism with regional reindustrialisation and smart specialisation strategies, ensuring that tourism supports and complements a diversified productive base, rather than replacing it;

35. Highlights the particular vulnerability of tourism-intensive destinations, where resident alienation, overstretched infrastructure, growing environmental impacts and threats to local culture and heritage are becoming increasingly acute; encourages boosting the visibility of less-visited regions and developing regional tourism hubs grounded in heritage, gastronomy, nature and local cultural activities, in order to enhance local excellence and promote a sustainable growth model that moves beyond the saturated sun-and-beach offer; urges the Commission and the Member States, furthermore, to finance initiatives aimed at revitalising historic villages and promoting traditional local products, including the development of green paths and other nature trails and the creation of a label recognising outstanding rural and nature-based tourism environments, similar to the ‘blue flag’ system for beaches;

36. Notes that short-distance, low- and zero-emission travel enhances regional cohesion by keeping value local and reinforcing SME-driven, community-rooted tourism in inland and agricultural areas; underlines the contribution of proximity tourism to easing pressure off overcrowded destinations and sustaining year-round economic activity, labour stability and demographic resilience in sparsely populated regions; stresses the need to reinforce short tourism circuits that connect visitors with micro-producers, such as microbreweries, small wine producers, craftspeople and cultural associations; encourages, in this regard, the creation and EU-level recognition of thematic local networks to promote local and regional heritage and strengthen cultural and regenerative tourism; draws attention to the role of interactive digital tools and thematic digital platforms, thematic interactive maps and event calendars in facilitating visibility and showcasing local excellence;

37. Highlights the positive role of cohesion and development funds for tourism, culture and agri-food investments; notes that regions using these funds should be assisted in adopting tourism methodologies that integrate planning and implementation; calls for stronger EU support for agritourism and farm-to-fork and field-to-fork initiatives that create genuine value chains and authentic tourism experiences; underlines that these models strengthen rural economies, support local producers, diversify tourism offers and contribute to sustainable, high-quality tourism across the EU;

38. Recognises the potential of sports, active and outdoor tourism to contribute to regional development, promote healthy lifestyles and mitigate seasonality, and calls for more systematic integration of sports infrastructure into tourism frameworks; highlights, at the same time, the opportunities offered by health, spa and medical tourism, particularly in ageing societies, and calls for the development of quality standards and cross-border cooperation in this growing sector; emphasises, in this context, the need to raise awareness of inclusion and accessibility in tourism, improve the range and visibility of accessible services, and develop tourism offers that benefit both residents and visitors, especially older people and persons with disabilities;

39. Reiterates that the hospitality sector forms a central pillar of Europe’s tourism ecosystem and cultural fabric, rooted in close ties with local SMEs, cultural institutions and regional labour markets, and highlights the essential role of Europe’s restaurants, cafés and bars – predominantly micro-enterprises and family businesses – in generating employment across all skill levels and preserving local identity and cultural heritage; calls for policies that support hospitality businesses in offering high-quality guest experiences, strengthening cultural vibrancy, improving the quality of jobs in the sector, and creating sustainable, long-term value for European destinations;

40. Welcomes the Regulation on short-term accommodation rentals, applicable across all Member States from 20 May 2026, as a positive step towards more effective destination management; expresses concern, however, about the unregulated growth of short-term rentals and their impact on housing, particularly affordability for local residents and essential workers, on social cohesion, including the displacement of residents and communities from their long-standing place in local life and governance, and on urban and essential services, directly impinging on the lives of local people; recalls that the ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union in Joined Cases C-724/18 and C-727/18 stated that the regulation of short-term rentals at the national, regional or local level may be justified by a legitimate public interest, provided that the measures adopted are necessary, adequate and proportionate; calls, therefore, on the Commission to swiftly propose legislation to establish a coherent, data-driven and sustainable EU framework for short-term rentals, defining standards for service provision and clear host categories, and enabling the Member States, including regional and local authorities, to apply proportionate and evidence-based measures, such as night caps, authorisation schemes, offsetting and zoning, recalling that housing policy remains primarily within the competence of the Member States;

41. Reiterates that tourism should be regarded as a strategic opportunity grounded in the sustainable coexistence of visitors and residents; believes that short-term rentals, based on the original premise of personal connection between host and guest, can invigorate local engagement in tourism and enable more authentic experiences; notes that allowing homes to be used for tourism can provide families with extra income and may help finance energy-efficient renovations; highlights, however, that what began as a collaborative economy model has increasingly evolved into a commercialised industry, now largely dominated by commercial hosts managing multiple properties, often operating without obligations equivalent to those of traditional accommodation providers; calls for a clear distinction between commercial and non-commercial short-term rentals; underscores that any regulatory measures should remain proportionate, adapted to local contexts and mindful of local tourism economies and communities, while granting Member States, regions and local authorities the flexibility to design and implement measures suited to their specific local circumstances and housing markets;

42. Highlights the need for robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure that only compliant short-term rental activity is listed on digital platforms, given the platforms’ central role in the short-term rental market, and that illegal short-term rentals identified by authorities should be promptly removed; underlines, furthermore, that clear due diligence obligations for platforms are essential, including the verification of registration numbers, supported by strengthened control mechanisms to prevent fraudulent or invalid registrations, and by effective notice and action and takedown mechanisms to ensure the rapid removal of invalid short-term rental listings; stresses that a new legislative framework should also provide robust mechanisms to support the enforcement of, and compliance with, national or local rules aimed at managing short-term rental supply, including the effective implementation of night caps or other measures such as noise-mitigation requirements;

43. Points out, in this context, that in tourism destinations with certain structural and geographical limitations, such as islands, outermost regions and certain coastal areas, tourism-related market pressures, together with insufficient affordable and public housing, compound the housing crisis; calls for cohesion policy measures tailored to these specific conditions, in line with Articles 174 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;

44. Acknowledges the current limitations of the EU Ecolabel; recognises the need for a unified approach to sustainability labelling in the European tourism sector, enabling the creation of a single, transparent framework that drives sustainable development, peer learning and capacity building, fosters consumer confidence, and enhances the competitiveness, efficiency and global visibility of European tourism businesses and destinations, positioning Europe as a benchmark for sustainable tourism worldwide; stresses that harmonisation does not mean the use of a single certificate, but rather the use of a common methodology for reviewing and establishing clear standards or criteria; underlines the importance of accredited, independent third-party certification to ensure that sustainability claims are substantiated, in line with the EU regulatory framework, including the Directive on consumer empowerment; calls strongly for the extension of coverage to additional segments of the tourism value chain, including cruise companies, tour operators, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) services, attractions, food and beverage services, destinations and community-friendly tourism involving local residents, to support a sustainable transition grounded in thorough impact assessments and stakeholder consultations; stresses, at the same time, that an EU-wide sustainability label should remain voluntary, proportionate, cost-effective, simple to apply for SMEs and supported by training and financial incentives to prevent undue administrative burdens for small tourism businesses;

45. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to support the transition of tourism towards a circular-economy model by promoting actions that improve water, energy and waste-management efficiency, curb overconsumption, prevent habitat degradation, safeguard biodiversity and minimise the environmental footprint of tourism activities on destinations, guided by data-driven decision-making; calls, in parallel, on the Commission to step up support for innovation to reduce food waste and reflect it in the relevant programmes; urges, furthermore, the promotion of short supply chains in hospitality by facilitating market access for micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, including small farms and artisans;

46. Acknowledges that the tourism sector is taking significant steps to reduce its environmental footprint, including phasing out single-use water bottles, improving energy-efficient lighting and water-saving systems, extending the lifespan of furniture through repair and reuse, and reducing food waste, with a solid legislative framework provided by recent EU regulations, such as the Single-Use Plastics Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which are still in the process of implementation; calls on the Commission to conduct a study to identify and assess the gaps in the Single-Use Plastics Directive in relation to tourism and hospitality, and to propose measures to address these gaps, including by providing implementation support and incentives to the industry in order to accelerate, wherever possible, the phasing out of single-use plastics in the EU tourism and hospitality sector, based on a realistic transition time frame and supported by an impact assessment, scientific data and stakeholder consultation, while ensuring that no disproportionate costs are imposed on small operators;

47. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to shift from reactive to proactive tourism development management, supported by enhanced data sharing, and to collect, analyse and use data for destination management and sustainability reporting, stressing that this transition would help to ensure sustainable, high-quality tourism; emphasises that coordinated data exchange across all levels enables real-time monitoring and intelligent forecasting, empowering destinations to manage visitor flows to cultural and natural attractions, prevent overcrowding, manage resources, support efforts to reduce seasonality and adapt flexibly to changes; highlights the fact that the rapid evolution of generative AI risks rewarding large and technologically sophisticated players in the tourism market, exacerbating existing inequalities and leaving many destinations and SMEs behind if support and capacity building do not keep pace; calls on the Commission, in this context, to provide targeted funding and guidance on financial instruments for SMEs to foster data, digitisation and AI uptake in the tourism sector;

48. Calls for a systemic approach to tourism, replacing fragmented market- or product-based logic with integrated governance models; supports the creation of comprehensive metrics covering, among other things, quality job creation, employment conditions, local community well-being, resource efficiency, environmental degradation and carbon emissions, based on globally acceptable calculating methodologies, to promote transparent policymaking, guide responsible investments and enable the comparability of data across destinations; welcomes the development of a globally recognised and harmonised set of destination-level sustainable tourism indicators, noting that the methodology is being piloted by the EU Competence Centre to support data management in smart destinations (D3HUB), with input from 40 European DMOs and the European Tourism Indicator System (ETIS); insists that an EU-level approach to sustainable tourism indicators should be fully compatible with existing frameworks, such as the statistical framework for measuring the sustainability of tourism or the tourism satellite account methodological framework, enabling effective standardisation and benchmarking and ensuring simplified reporting processes that reduce administrative demands on tourism businesses;

49. Stresses that data-centric, multi-tier governance is essential for achieving sustainability and effectively handling unpredictable crises, such as pandemics and other health-related crises, geopolitical shocks, extreme climate and natural events, human-made or technological disruptions and economic downturns, as well as growing structural crises, such as demographic decline, depopulation and housing shortages; stresses the need to factor freight and logistics into crisis-preparedness tools, in view of their vital importance for safeguarding the continuity of tourism services and supply chains; notes with concern that stakeholder reluctance to share data – driven by reservations over technology, data sovereignty, trust, legal risks and costs – is slowing down the rollout of the common European Tourism Data Space; points to the EU Tourism Dashboard and D3HUB as strong examples of how aggregated EU-level insights can guide local action and sustain tourism supply chains in times of uncertainty; reiterates that these mechanisms ensure that DMOs and SMEs have simplified access to interoperable data to support evidence-based decision-making, thereby strengthening and safeguarding resilience across their value chains; highlights, furthermore, the contributions of D3HUB in helping tourist destinations make strategic use of data, stresses that this initiative is essential for strengthening data-driven governance and preparing the sector for the digital transition, and calls on the Commission to ensure its continuity beyond 2026 in line with the EU’s strategic objectives;

50. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop a centralised platform based on verifiable data to map major events across the EU that may trigger local disruptions, especially in vulnerable regions, and to establish a dedicated European crisis management mechanism for tourism to strengthen preparedness, crisis prevention and resilience in the face of future crises; calls on the Commission, furthermore, to integrate the mechanism with advanced crisis-preparedness tools and quick-response measures, including early warning systems, contingency planning, strategic transport infrastructure and corridors, and targeted support through flexible procedures, to enhance tourism resilience and safety;

51. Observes that technology and environmental awareness are driving a shift from passive sightseeing to purposeful, personalised and responsible experiences; highlights the potential of itinerary-generating recommender systems to cultivate community-led, slow tourism such as cycling and hiking that benefits local SMEs, communities, local producers, including those recognised by geographical indications, as well as cultures and products; insists, however, that, to capitalise on this potential, the sector must integrate local groups and citizens into the tourism value chain alongside large corporations, for example through expert support in the use of digital tools, the establishment of multi-stakeholder councils with consultative and advisory roles on licenses, carrying capacity, limits and planning, and the diversification of its offers to reduce market and seasonal dependencies; calls on the Member States to promote school-based educational initiatives and wider awareness-raising campaigns to enhance awareness of sustainable tourism practices;

Shaping the future of tourism with skills and cultural engagement

52. Stresses that a skilled and valued high-quality workforce is the backbone of Europe’s tourism economy; notes that structural challenges, such as low pay in certain tourism sectors, informal employment, part-time and undeclared work, seasonality, limited training and, at times, poor working conditions, continue to perpetuate labour and skills shortages in tourism, further exacerbated by persistent gender inequality, as women represent the majority of the tourism workforce and dominate low-paid, labour-intensive and temporary occupations; acknowledges that in some Member States there has been progress in improving working conditions, working time arrangements and remuneration, including through updated collective agreements following the COVID-19 pandemic; calls, nevertheless, for further advancement towards a tourism labour market based on quality jobs, fair wages, reliable social protection and year-round employment, including during the off-season; draws attention, at the same time, to the value of paid training during working hours and the importance of extending such opportunities to seasonal workers during the off-season;

53. Underscores the ever-increasing demand for an adaptable and crisis-resilient workforce equipped with digital and green skills to implement innovative solutions that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship; stresses that the digital and green transitions offer opportunities to create better, safer and more resilient employment across tourism value chains, and urges that these opportunities be fully harnessed, including through cooperation with regional and local authorities in designing specialised training programmes for tourism professionals;

54. Calls for a coordinated EU-wide agenda to upskill and reskill the tourism workforce, in line with the pact for skills, so as to tackle labour shortages, improve working conditions, overcome mobility barriers, respond to evolving skills demands and strengthen the sector’s long-term attractiveness and competitiveness, ensuring lasting value for European destinations and promoting the European way of life; proposes the introduction of a tourism skills card, designed in close cooperation with social partners and recognised across the Member States and sectors of the tourism industry, to document accredited training, skills, qualifications and professional experience; suggests that training be delivered and co-financed through EU programmes, including the European Social Fund Plus, Erasmus+, the single market programme and the digital Europe programme;

55. Underlines that upskilling and reskilling must go hand in hand with valuing every role – from human connections, which are indispensable for delivering high-quality and culturally-attuned services, to physically demanding roles that sustain many tourism services – ensuring that none of these aspects are lost as the sector shifts towards more digitally driven models; notes that both soft skills and physical work remain undervalued in economic and policy terms, often lacking formal recognition, training or remuneration comparable to that of technical or managerial roles; calls for these skills and roles to be properly recognised, valued and rewarded, as this is essential to raising job quality, advancing gender equality and ensuring that tourism’s human dimension is fully acknowledged and nurtured within Europe’s tourism model;

56. Encourages stronger cooperation between tourism businesses, education providers and public authorities to advance high-quality training programmes and apprenticeships and to address future skills demands; underlines the importance of targeted initiatives – such as industry-aligned curricula, clear career pathways and mentorship programmes – that boost the attractiveness of hospitality careers for young people and help build a stronger, more skilled workforce in the sector; insists that these initiatives must translate into quality employment outcomes, including long-term contracts, real opportunities for career progression and wage increases;

57. Underlines that culture, deeply woven into our way of life, is fundamental to Europe’s tourism appeal and to our national and European identities; recalls that this cultural fabric encompasses, among many other elements, sustainable traditions, archaeological heritage and local languages, whose preservation reflects genuine respect for regional and national identities and the continuity of local communities; welcomes the efforts undertaken by certain Member States to return cultural works and artefacts to their places of origin; highlights the new Culture Compass for Europe strategic framework as a key instrument for strengthening the cultural dimension of EU policies; calls on the Commission, given the EU’s diverse and richly layered tourism offer, to place EU incentives, such as DiscoverEU, European Capitals of Culture and the European Heritage Label, at the forefront of promotion of Destination Europe within the new sustainable tourism strategy;

58. Commends the vital role of professional cultural workers, local organisations and volunteers as custodians of Europe’s cultural heritage, whose work ranges from site maintenance and conservation to public engagement through community outreach and guided tours; highlights their role in strengthening Europe’s distinctiveness and attractiveness as a global tourism destination; notes that precarious working conditions and inadequate remuneration often fail to reflect the value of their contribution in safeguarding and transmitting Europe’s cultural heritage, a situation that may be further aggravated by increasing competitive pressure from platform-based services that undercut the prices of cultural tours and guiding services through tipping practices and connection fees;

59. Recognises, in this context, the remarkable commitment of volunteers, who dedicate significant personal time, including during their annual leave, to support cultural preservation in Europe; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, to propose guidelines to incentivise and enable individuals to engage in cultural volunteering, including through supportive measures that facilitate participation and promote the recognition of cultural volunteers across the EU; stresses that promoting cultural volunteering reinforces the goals of the European Year of Skills and enhances current EU programmes, such as Erasmus+, by encouraging intergenerational learning, the exchange of skills and deeper cultural engagement; stresses that the long-term objective is professionalisation, and calls for a passion-to-profession scheme that would enable training, certification and fair remuneration, co-financed through Erasmus+, Creative Europe and the European Social Fund Plus, to help those who preserve our identity to develop viable careers of their choice; underlines that the scheme should remain voluntary, with cultural leave never being tied to professional commitments; encourages the Member States to foster volunteering in ways that enrich cultural life and complement professional cultural employment, rather than replacing it;

60. Stresses the importance of ensuring that EU funding is made available for intangible heritage under the next MFF in order to provide direct support for initiatives that protect and showcase cultural traditions – from maritime and nautical practices such as sailing to local languages and craftsmanship, including geographical indications – ensuring their intergenerational transmission and strengthening community engagement in sustainable, responsible tourism; underlines the importance of ensuring fair recognition for those investing in heritage and skills, and highlights the need to include indigenous and community-led tourism initiatives that safeguard ancestral knowledge, conserve biodiversity and foster authentic, culturally respectful experiences that sustain local livelihoods; calls, furthermore, for EU funding to support producer associations working to register a geographical indication under Regulation (EU) 2023/2411, recognising this as a key instrument for enhancing regional craft heritage;

61. Stresses that funded projects should promote knowledge transfer across areas and sectors and harness the strategic potential of tourism to safeguard intangible heritage and enhance its social and economic benefits for local communities, with a more even territorial distribution and fairer allocation of value across the tourism value chain; points out, furthermore, that funding should prioritise projects that advance territorial cohesion, especially in regions where intangible heritage is most at risk and where cultural tourism can foster local development and support population retention; underlines the role of public-private partnerships in strengthening the tourism sector’s ability to protect, promote and enhance cultural heritage, and calls for deeper collaboration between authorities, industry and community actors to maximise sustainable outcomes;

62. Calls for annual reporting to Parliament on progress towards sustainable tourism, drawing on the operational roll out of the EU Tourism Dashboard and measurable indicators covering the environment, connectivity, infrastructure readiness, quality of employment and local community well-being, to inform funding decisions and future reforms;

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63. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.