OpenLobby.EU
Explore

EU tourism strategy

Transport

The EU tourism strategy will focus on promoting sustainable tourism to boost competitiveness and social cohesion in the face of climate change, development imbalances, geopolitical tensions, and economic pressures. It will seek to align with EU sustainability goals, strengthen tourism's role in the economy and enhance cross-sector synergies. Leveraging existing frameworks and EU tools, the strategy would position the EU as a global leader in sustainable tourism, supporting SMEs and local communities to ensure balanced, long-term growth.

Links

Public consultation

ID: 14739

Lobbying Activity

28 responses

European rail industry demands level playing field for sustainable tourism

Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, 11 Sept 2025

CER requests VAT exemptions for international rail and lower track access charges. They want polluter-pays pricing to ensure fair competition with airlines.
These reforms would lower operating costs and attract more short-haul air passengers.
Aviation and road transport companies would face higher costs and lost market share.

Airlines urge EU to protect competitiveness in tourism strategy

Airlines for Europe, 12 Sept 2025

The sector requests that the EU avoids new taxes and prioritizes closing the price gap for sustainable fuels. They also call for raising delay compensation thresholds and avoiding mandatory data sharing with travel intermediaries.
This would protect airline profits and mitigate the high financial cost of environmental compliance.
Passengers and travel intermediaries face reduced compensation rights and limited access to flight data.

Uber urges EU to integrate ride-hailing in tourism strategy

Uber, 11 Sept 2025

Uber requests the EU recognize ride-hailing and food delivery as critical tourism infrastructure. They want harmonized rules across the single market to remove regulatory barriers like exclusive taxi access to airports, fixed pricing mandates, and return-to-garage requirements.
This would eliminate operational restrictions that limit their market access and competitiveness.
Traditional taxi operators lose their privileged access to transport hubs and pricing protections.

Deutsche Bahn urges rail-centric focus for sustainable EU tourism

Deutsche Bahn AG, 12 Sept 2025

DB requests increased high-speed rail funding and harmonised cross-border operating rules. They also seek lower track charges and tax exemptions for train services.
These reforms would boost rail passenger demand and improve night train competitiveness.
Aviation and car transport would lose their price advantages from current tax exemptions.

European Disability Forum Urges Accessibility Pillar in Tourism Strategy

European Disability Forum, 12 Sept 2025

They want accessibility as a core pillar through better enforcement of laws. They also advocate for funding inclusive infrastructure and addressing gaps in passenger rights.
This would eliminate extra costs and enable persons with disabilities to travel safely.

European Sea Ports Organisation urges funding for sustainable tourism

European Sea Ports Organisation, 11 Sept 2025

ESPO requests a stable legal framework that reduces red tape and dedicated funding for green infrastructure. They urge the Commission to address carbon leakage risks to maintain port competitiveness.
Securing dedicated funding would help ports overcome high costs for mandatory green infrastructure installations.
Non-EU ports would lose their competitive advantage if the EU prevents business leakage.

Cruise industry urges EU to fund sustainable maritime tourism

Cruise Lines International Association, 12 Sept 2025

CLIA requests earmarked tourism funding from existing European financial instruments. They want prioritized investment in onshore power infrastructure at major ports. The group urges simpler regulations to keep Europe an accessible destination.
This would lower decarbonization costs and prevent new administrative burdens.
Consumer groups may lose protections if passenger rights regulations are simplified.

European Boating Industry urges support for nautical tourism sector

European Boating Industry, 3 Jul 2025

The group calls for mutual recognition of boater licenses to simplify travel. They request funding for marina modernisation and equal tax treatment.
This would lower administrative burdens and provide funding for infrastructure upgrades.
Land-based accommodation providers would lose their current tax advantage over water-based rivals.

European Cyclists' Federation urges focus on bicycle tourism

European Cyclists' Federation, 1 Jul 2025

ECF requests that cycling tourism and the EuroVelo network be integrated into the official strategy. They also call for investment in cross-border safe cycling infrastructure and digital tools.
Official recognition and funding would allow their network to expand and innovate.
Non-European tourism hubs lose market share if the EU secures its global lead.

European Barge Union urges EU-wide strategy for sustainable river tourism

European Barge Union, 10 Sept 2025

The group calls for an EU-wide strategy for sustainable inland waterway tourism. They demand dedicated funding for fleet modernization and zero-emission propulsion technologies. They also want harmonized sustainability reporting.
Dedicated funding and regulatory clarity would help barge operators modernize their fleets.

ADAC Urges Focus on Consumer Rights and EV Charging

Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e.V., 12 Sept 2025

The organization calls for robust consumer rights and better electric vehicle charging infrastructure. They advocate for data-driven tools to manage tourist flows fairly.
This approach protects the car-based travel habits of their twenty-two million members.
Tourism businesses may face increased compliance costs to provide financial safeguards and assistance.

Consultation response

Global Business Travel Association, 10 Sept 2025

GBTA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Commissions consultation on the Sustainable Tourism Strategy. Business travel is a 400 billion industry in Europe alone, playing a critical role for the European economy. However, it also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions,…

Victim Support Europe urges better protection for tourist crime victims

Victim Support Europe, 12 Sept 2025

The organization calls to mainstream victims rights as an essential pillar of tourism policy. They request strengthened cross-border cooperation and visible referral systems to ensure tourists access support and justice.
Establishing robust safety and support measures would enhance the reputation and long-term viability of destinations.
Opaque industry sectors would face greater scrutiny through mandatory transparency and expanded crime reporting obligations.

Consultation response

Visita, 8 Sept 2025

Please see our position paper attached.

Pearle Urges EU to Recognize Cultural Events in Tourism

Performing Arts Employers Associations League Europe, 12 Sept 2025

Pearle wants the strategy to recognize concerts and festivals as essential tourism drivers. They advocate for better data collection and removing funding barriers for cultural activities. They also call for smooth visa processing for international artists and visitors.
This recognition would unlock new funding streams and improve the sector's global visibility.

EENA warns new mobile roaming tech endangers EU tourists

European Emergency Number Association, 8 Jul 2025

EENA urges the EU to fix gaps in emergency communications for roamers. They warn that new roaming tech prevents emergency services from receiving caller locations.
Addressing these technical flaws would fulfill EENA's core mission to improve public safety.
Tourists face higher risks because emergency services cannot locate them during life-threatening incidents.

Consultation response

CYPRUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, 12 Sept 2025

On behalf of the Tourism Committee of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI), we are pleased to submit the enclosed document outlining the views, challenges, and proposals identified by local stakeholders in response to the European Unions public consultation on the EU Strategy for…

Consultation response

European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance, 10 Sept 2025

The European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance (ECCIA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to the call for evidence on the upcoming EU Sustainable tourism strategy. Please find attached our detailed feedback.

Consultation response

Fédération Française d'Equitation, 12 Sept 2025

La Fédération Française d'Equitation souhaite partager sa contribution en faveur d'une prise en compte des activités équestres dans les politiques européennes favorisant les mobilités douces.

Spanish bus federation urges EU to prioritize bus transport

CONFEDERACIÓN ESPAÑOLA DE TRANSPORTE EN AUTOBÚS, 23 Jul 2025

The organization requests that bus transport be a central pillar of the EU strategy. They propose investing in fleet renewal and making it easier to hire foreign drivers.
Removing regulatory hurdles will help bus companies overcome labor shortages and increase services.
Rural destinations and passengers lose out when uncoordinated traffic restrictions limit bus access.

Consultation response

Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, 10 Sept 2025

The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the upcoming EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy and believes that motorcyclists are well placed to support its objective of branding Europe as a top sustainable destination, specifically through…

Consultation response

The European Association of On-Demand Mobility, 9 Sept 2025

Please find Move EU's feedback on the EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy attached.

Consultation response

Centralny Port Komunikacyjny sp. z o.o., 12 Sept 2025

The Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the EU Tourism Strategy initiative. CPK is a strategic investment aimed at creating a modern national transportation system that efficiently integrates air, rail, and road transport. As part of the CPK Programme, a new…

European Marine Board urges coastal focus in tourism strategy

European Marine Board, 9 Sept 2025

The board calls for tourism to be integrated into a systems approach for coastal management. They emphasize protecting local communities and future-proofing the industry against rising sea levels.
Scientific institutions would gain influence by providing research required for sustainable tourism transitions.
High-impact tourism operators may face stricter management to prevent environmental and community degradation.

Consultation response

Autism-Europe, 9 Sept 2025

Please find Autism Europe's feedback to the Commission's proposed tourism strategy.

Consultation response

HomeExchange.com, 10 Sept 2025

Please find HomeExchange's feedback on the EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy attached.

Consultation response

Svenska Flygbranschen, 12 Sept 2025

The Swedish Aviation Industry Group (Transportföretagen Flyg, Svenska Flygbranschen) is a non-profit making industry association which promotes, protects, and ensures that its member companies are not neglected with respect to political issues and lobbies for the continued survival and well-being…

Consultation response

European Conference of Transport Research Institutes, 12 Sept 2025

As an association of transport research organisations, ECTRI welcomes the European Commissions initiative to prepare a Sustainable Tourism Strategy. With the tourism sector grappling with mounting pressures and robust growth, sustainability is no longer a niche concernit is a structural necessity…