On enhancing connectivity, preserving cultural heritage, and driving local excellence in European tourism: destination management and regional tourism growth

on enhancing connectivity, preserving cultural heritage, and driving local excellence

in European tourism: destination management and regional tourism growth

(2025/2120(INI))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in particular Articles 174, 195 and 349 thereof,

–having regard to the Commission communication of 29 January 2025 entitled ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’ (COM(2025)0030),

–having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation’ (COM(2025)0085),

–having regard to the Commission communication of 26 July 2023 entitled ‘Towards a Common European Tourism Data Space: boosting data sharing and innovation across the tourism ecosystem’,

–having regard to the Commission communication of 17 May 2021 on a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU Transforming the EU’s Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future (COM(2021)0240),

–having regard to the Commission communication of 1 July 2020 entitled ‘European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience’ (COM(2020)0274),

–having regard to the Commission communication of 27 May 2020 entitled ‘Europe’s moment: Repair and Prepare for the Next Generation’ (COM(2020)0456) and the accompanying staff working document entitled ‘Identifying Europe’s recovery needs’ (SWD(2020)0098),

–having regard to the Commission communication of 13 May 2020 entitled ‘Tourism and transport in 2020 and beyond’ (COM(2020)0550) and to the adoption of the Tourism and Transport Package,

–having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 entitled ‘The European Green Deal’ (COM(2019)0640),

–having regard to the Commission communication of 22 May 2018 entitled ‘A new European Agenda for Culture’ (COM(2018)0267),

–having regard to the Commission communication of 24 October 2017 entitled ‘A stronger and renewed strategic partnership with the EU’s outermost regions’ (COM(2017)0623),

–having regard to the Commission communication of 2 June 2016 entitled ‘A European agenda for the collaborative economy’ (COM(2016)0356) and to Parliament’s resolution of 15 June 2017 thereon,

–having regard to the Commission communication of 20 February 2014 entitled ‘A European strategy for more Growth and Jobs in Coastal and Maritime Tourism’ (COM(2014)0086) and the Commission staff working document of 30 March 2017 on nautical tourism (SWD(2017)0126),

–having regard to the Commission communication of 30 June 2010 entitled ‘Europe, the world’s No 1 tourist destination – a new political framework for tourism in Europe’ (COM(2010)0352) and to Parliament’s resolution of 27 September 2011 thereon,

–having regard to the Commission report of 4 February 2022 entitled ‘Transition pathway for tourism’ and its stocktaking reports for 2023 and 2024,

–having regard to the Commission report of 2020 entitled ‘The EU Blue Economy Report 2020’,

–having regard to the Council conclusions of 1 December 2022 on European Agenda for Tourism 2030,

–having regard to the Council conclusions of 27 May 2021 on Tourism in Europe for the next decade: sustainable, resilient, digital, global and social,

–having regard to its resolution of 25 March 2021 on establishing an EU strategy for sustainable tourism,

–having regard to its resolution of 19 June 2020 on transport and tourism in 2020 and beyond,

–having regard to its resolution of 24 October 2019 on the negative impact of the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook on EU tourism,

–having regard to its resolution of 14 November 2018 on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 – Parliament’s position with a view to an agreement,

–having regard to its resolution of 29 October 2015 on new challenges and concepts for the promotion of tourism in Europe,

–having regard to its resolution of 8 September 2015 towards an integrated approach to cultural heritage for Europe,

–having regard to its resolutions of 25 October 2011 on mobility and inclusion of people with disabilities and the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 and of 18 June 2020 on the European Disability Strategy post-2020,

–having regard to Decision (EU) 2023/936 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on a European Year of Skills,

–having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment,

–having regard to the draft opinion of the European Committee of the Regions of 23 September 2025 entitled ‘Towards sustainable and resilient tourism in the European Union: Strategy for balanced and adaptive management’,

–having regard to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism,

–having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights,

–having regard to the report by Enrico Letta of April 2024 entitled ‘Much more than a Market’,

–having regard to the report by Mario Draghi of September 2024 entitled ‘The future of European Competitiveness’,

–having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

–having regard to the report of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A100000/2025),

A.whereas the EU remains a global leader in tourism despite prevailing economic and geopolitical headwinds, with the sector projected to contribute 10.5 % to the EU’s GDP, following strong momentum in early 2025;

B.whereas the economic value of tourism is increasingly overshadowed by social and environmental costs;

C.whereas the concept of sustainable tourism is central to driving the sector’s competitiveness, safeguarding Europe’s cultural and natural heritage, and balancing the needs of visitors and local communities; whereas sustainability rests on three interdependent pillars – economic, social and environmental – none of which can exist in isolation;

D.whereas connectivity is fundamental to travel and tourism, linking people with places, cultures and experiences; whereas, however, current travel and tourism patterns present significant challenges, given that 80 % of travellers visit only 10 % of global destinations; whereas many remote and peripheral regions remain underserved because of their geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and the high cost and travel time required to reach them;

E.whereas transport accounts for the largest share of tourism’s carbon footprint; whereas sustainable tourism cannot be achieved without sustainable mobility; whereas, despite rail representing only around 10 % of journeys made today, far behind car (64 %) and air travel (17 %), recent research suggests that 82 % of Europeans are open to greener travel choices;

F.whereas the rise of specialised (nautical, medical, wellness, sports, cycling, etc.) tourism creates new opportunities for peripheral regions to showcase their unique landscapes and heritage through place-based development strategies;

G.whereas smart tourism aims at strengthening destination management, elevating visitor satisfaction and delivering lasting value to local communities; whereas smart tourism hinges on data; whereas the EU’s data ecosystem is fragmented; whereas the European Tourism Data Space initiative aims to overcome this fragmentation by building a secure, interconnected data-sharing platform to support the sector’s sustainability and resilience, in line with the Transition Pathway for Tourism;

H.whereas limited data sharing and siloed operations across key transport sectors hinder seamless EU-wide multimodal travel, with the booking of such journeys still facing major obstacles;

I.whereas a striking 92 % of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in tourism struggle to hire skilled staff; whereas the sector’s skills deficit – a challenge that predates the pandemic and persists despite the high rates of unemployment in the EU – requires a swift push for re-skilling and upskilling to build green, digital, social and cultural competences in tourism, which are key to its competitiveness;

J.whereas even in the digital age, tourism thrives on human connection; whereas soft skills are vital for inclusive tourism, yet they remain undervalued, undertrained and underpaid;

K.whereas culture, heritage and identity are the pillars of Europe’s tourism product, with volunteers and local communities playing a crucial role in preserving and promoting of each Member State’s living heritage;

L.whereas the EU Ecolabel represents one of several sustainability standards currently applied in European tourism; whereas, although its adoption by tourism accommodations is rising, its overall market impact remains limited;

M.whereas, despite the adoption of the Single-Use Plastics Directive, a significant share of plastic waste from the tourism and hospitality sectors still falls beyond its regulatory scope;

N.whereas the tourism industry should transition towards a circular economy model, improving resource efficiency in waste, water, and energy management, supported by data-driven practices;

O.whereas recognition of tourism as one of Europe’s 14 strategic industrial ecosystems underscores the need to move beyond assumptions of its inherent resilience towards a holistic European strategy built upon strong policy coordination, reflecting the sector’s cross-cutting nature, as well as targeted and effective funding;

P.whereas Parliament has consistently called for the inclusion of a dedicated budget line for tourism in the EU general budget; whereas upcoming negotiations on the post-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF) present a fresh opportunity to address long-term, stable funding for tourism;

From isolation to opportunity: enhanced connectivity as a catalyst for regional tourism growth

1.Affirms that connectivity is a precondition for the freedom of movement enshrined in the Treaties; calls on the Commission and the Member States to recognise connectivity as an essential service that underpins the freedom of movement, including for travel; advocates the establishment of clear benchmarks to assess the accessibility and affordability of sustainable travel options for remote and peripheral regions;

2.Draws attention to the disproportionate influence of major carriers and digital platforms in steering market trends and exposing destinations to structural risks; calls on the Commission to conduct a study examining tourism’s dependence on dominant players with strong market power in the transport and tourism sectors, assessing threats to connectivity, pricing, service continuity and resilience and proposing actions to limit market concentration and enhance fair competition, including through appropriate legal, regulatory and financial measures, where relevant;

3.Views efficient transport connections as the foundation of a sustainable, competitive European tourism sector – relieving pressure on hotspot destinations while opening access to emerging ones; calls for the expansion of connectivity to remote and underserved EU regions to ensure inclusive growth through sustainable travel;

4.Calls for exploring the potential for the wider deployment of public service obligations, including multimodal configurations, to serve residents and visitors alike – especially in island and remote areas – stressing their role in reinforcing territorial cohesion;

5.Welcomes progress made on the trans-European transport network and the robust Connecting Europe Facility budget under the next MFF to support a sustainable, interconnected European transport system, which is equally vital for tourism; nevertheless, regrets that the new MFF proposal once again fails to include a stand-alone budget line for tourism; reaffirms that dedicated EU funding for sustainable tourism would yield substantial returns, including stronger territorial cohesion in peripheral and island regions;

6.Calls for the integration of sustainable tourism mobility into EU transport policy, with investment in last-mile connections for the benefit of visitors and residents alike; calls on the Commission to provide targeted support for using low-emission and zero-emission vehicles in tourism – for example, through incentives for e-vehicle leasing and charging infrastructure – particularly in island, rural, mountain and outermost regions, to boost green mobility and reduce the environmental footprint of visitors;

7.Calls for the EU to support clean transport options, such as electric and hybrid ferries with shore power and hybrid-electric aircraft, with priority for islands and peripheral territories;

8.Recognises rail as a cornerstone of sustainable tourism and a viable alternative to more polluting modes of transport; calls for increased investment in cross-border rail infrastructure and simplified rail ticketing to improve travel flexibility; welcomes the vision for a high-speed rail network to promote efficient rail connections between European capitals as an alternative to short-haul flights, while expanding tourism to peripheral regions beyond traditional hotspots; furthermore, sees night trains as a key asset for diversifying tourism and enabling the development of underserved tourism destinations;

9.Welcomes the upcoming sustainable transport investment plan (STIP), expecting it to spur investment in sustainable fuels for aviation and maritime transport, which are hard-to-abate sectors; urges the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the path to net zero, particularly the shift to sustainable fuels, avoids hidden costs, excessive bureaucracy or unfair airline surcharges that inflate ticket prices for tourists, citizens and SMEs; warns against the introduction of new fiscal burdens, such as a fuel tax, that could jeopardise the connectivity, affordability and competitiveness of the tourism sector;

10.Recognises the cruise liner industry as an important European sector linked to the shipbuilding and repair industries where the EU remains a global leader; calls for incentive schemes and investments that link shore-power use and overnight or longer port stays to local value creation, sustainable mobility and reduced congestion, maximising local economic gains while minimising environmental pressure on destinations;

11.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; takes note of the growing expectations of travellers for reliability, transparency and protection during disruptions, including when journeys combine different transport modes or operators; in this context, stresses the paramount importance of robust passenger rights for travellers 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

12.Warns that unbalanced tourism risks straining destinations and eroding Europe’s appeal, underscoring that when planned well, tourism holds immense potential to generate inclusive benefits; reiterates that, as an integral component of the EU’s industrial strategy, tourism requires effective governance and coordinated policy action to strategically distribute demand between established and emerging destinations, preserving Europe’s status as a top global destination;

13.Emphasises that the sector’s cross-cutting nature should be adequately reflected across relevant EU policies, aligning legislation in areas such as transport, regional and rural development, digitalisation, competitiveness, employment and education;

14.Highlights the pivotal role of destination management organisations (DMOs) in shaping and delivering sustainable tourism offers; underscores their strategic advantage in leveraging their local presence to expand their outreach and build partnerships with a wider network of tourism SMEs;

15.Welcomes the Regulation on short-term accommodation rentals as a positive step toward more effective destination management; acknowledges that short-term rentals can boost local engagement in tourism, enabling more authentic experiences; expresses concern, however, over their impact on housing affordability, neighbourhood cohesion and local governance, potentially altering the traditional character of destinations; notes that what began as a collaborative economy model has increasingly evolved into a commercialised industry, now largely dominated by professional hosts managing multiple properties; supports repositioning short-term rentals as a community-oriented tourism service to curb excessive commercialisation; calls on the Commission to swiftly propose legislation for the sector, defining clear host categories and enabling the Member States to apply proportionate measures – such as caps on visitor numbers, authorisation schemes, offsetting and zoning – in areas affected by housing pressures;

16.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 standard that fosters consumer confidence and raises the global visibility of European tourism businesses’ sustainability efforts; calls strongly for the extension of coverage to additional segments of the tourism value chain, including cruise companies, tour operators, attractions, food and beverage services, and destinations, to support the green transition;

17.Calls on the Commission to present a legislative proposal to phase out single-use plastics in the EU tourism and hospitality sector, ensuring a realistic timeframe and supported by an impact assessment and stakeholder consultation;

18.Calls on the European tourism industry to shift from reactive to proactive management, supported by data sharing; emphasises that coordinated data exchange across all levels enables real-time monitoring and intelligent forecasting, empowering destinations to prevent overcrowding, optimise resources and adapt to change;

19.Supports the creation of comprehensive metrics covering, inter alia, job creation, community well-being, and carbon emissions to promote transparent policymaking and guide responsible investments; welcomes the development of globally recognised 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;

20.Stresses that data-centric, multi-tier governance is essential for effectively handling unpredictable crises, such as pandemics, geopolitical shocks or economic downturns; 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;

21.Calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop a centralised platform to map major events across the EU that may trigger local disruptions – especially in vulnerable regions – and to integrate it with advanced crisis-preparedness tools, including early-warning systems, contingency planning and targeted support, to enhance tourism resilience and safety;

22.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 that benefits local SMEs, cultures and products; insists, however, that, to capitalise on this potential, the sector must integrate local groups into the tourism value chain alongside large corporations and diversify its offers to reduce market and seasonal dependencies;

Shaping the future of tourism with skills and cultural engagement

23.Stresses that a skilled workforce is the backbone of Europe’s tourism economy; is disappointed that structural challenges, such as low pay, informal employment, seasonality and limited training, continue to perpetuate labour and skills shortages in tourism, further exacerbated by persistent gender inequality;

24.Underscores an ever-increasing demand for an adaptable workforce equipped with digital and green skills to implement innovative solutions that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship;

25.Calls for a coordinated EU-wide agenda to upskill the tourism workforce, in line with the pact for skills; proposes the introduction of a tourism skills card, recognised across the Member States and sectors, to document accredited training and professional experience; suggests that training be delivered and co-financed through EU programmes, including the European Social Fund Plus, Erasmus+ and the Digital Europe Programme;

26.Underlines that culture, deeply woven in our way of life, is fundamental to Europe’s tourism appeal and our national and European identities; points out that the preservation of cultural sites often relies on volunteering, which involves site maintenance, conservation efforts, and public engagement through guided tours and community outreach; commends the vital role of volunteers and local organisations as custodians of Europe’s cultural heritage;

27.Recognises the remarkable commitment of volunteers, who typically dedicate their personal time, notably annual leave, to support cultural preservation in Europe; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Members States, to propose a baseline framework for leave that enables individuals to engage in cultural volunteering, fully respecting national labour legislation and social partner autonomy; 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;

28.Calls for the creation of a dedicated European fund for intangible heritage, administered by the Commission, to provide direct support for initiatives that protect cultural traditions, craftsmanship and community engagement in 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;

29.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 and community well-being, to inform funding decisions and future reforms;

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