On Wednesday, the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) committee adopted a series of proposals on ways to enhance connectivity, preserve cultural heritage, and promote local excellence in European tourism, by 33 votes in favour, four against, and with four abstentions.
Tackling overtourism
MEPs stress that 80% of travellers visit only 10% of global destinations. The goal should therefore be to relieve pressure from places experiencing overtourism and to redirect visitors to lesser-known, emerging or remote destinations, such as rural heartlands, mountains or remote regions. Gastronomy, wine, beer, heritage, cycling and regenerative tourism experiences can create new opportunities for emerging destinations, extend travel beyond peak seasons and generate additional income, they add.
To make European tourism more sustainable, TRAN committee MEPs propose improving transport connections. They call on the Commission to identify a specific support mechanism to reinforce air, sea and land links and accessibility to emerging destinations in its upcoming sustainable EU tourism strategy.
Other measures MEPs recommend include targeted support for electric vehicle leasing and charging infrastructure, more cross-border night trains, and a rapid rollout of a seamless integrated ticketing system to cover rail, air and maritime services.
Short-term rentals
The resolution welcomes the new EU rules on short-term rentals, which apply from 20 May 2026, as a positive step towards more effective destination management. Nevertheless, MEPs think that more needs to be done to prevent unregulated growth and commercialisation of short-term rentals from resulting in a loss of authenticity, local housing problems and the displacement of residents.
They call therefore for a new EU framework for short-term rentals that would define service provision standards, clarify host categories, and enable EU countries to cap the number of visitor nights, or introduce authorisation schemes or zoning systems.
Eco tax
Tourism MEPs note that a number of cities and regions have already introduced environmental tourism taxes. These could serve as a funding source for projects to benefit local residents and the environment. It would be worthwhile sharing the results of such initiatives with other EU countries and regions looking for ways to invest in sustainable tourism, the MEPs add.
Tourism skill cards and volunteering
To tackle labour shortages, improve working conditions and overcome mobility barriers, MEPs propose the introduction of a tourism skills card to document accredited training, skills, qualifications and professional experience in the tourism sector.
The MEPs commend the vital role of professional cultural workers, local organisations and volunteers as custodians of Europe’s cultural heritage. They therefore urge the Commission to propose guidelines to incentivise and enable individuals to engage in cultural volunteering.
Quote
Transport and Tourism committee rapporteur Daniel Attard (S&D, MT) said: “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.”.
Next steps
The non-binding resolution on European tourism now needs to be voted by Parliament as a whole, possibly during the April session.
Background
EU remains a global leader in tourism and the world’s top tourist destination, with approximately 12.3 million people working in this sector, contributing 10.5% to the EU’s gross domestic product.