Pillar 1 – Boosting the competitiveness of EU tourism

Action area 1: Enabling SMEs to thrive: collaboration, simplification and growth

Launching an EU Simplification Initiative for tourism to gather practical evidence of the administrative burden faced by the tourism sector and destinations.

First half 2027

Presenting in 2026 a proposal to revise and modernise VAT rules applying to the travel and tourism sector.

Second half 2026

Launching focused support to tourism SMEs for their clean/digital transitions.

Second half 2027

Action area 2: Data, digitalisation and innovation

Support Member States to deploy the Common European Tourism Data Space to ensure access to high-quality, reliable data.

First half 2029

Establishing an EU Tourism Observatory to monitor developments across the sector, analyse important trends and provide insights for EU policy.

First half 2027

Facilitating greater synergies among tourism start-ups and with investors, including through matchmaking events.

First half 2027

Proposing to modernise Regulation (EU) 692/2011 concerning European statistics on tourism.

Second half 2027

Action area 3: Skills and talent for tourism

Launching a high-quality EU Tourism Academy to provide the crucial training and talent development that the sector needs.

Second half 2027

Publishing a study on working conditions in tourism.

Second half 2028

Action area 4: Seamless and sustainable connectivity and infrastructures

Proposing to revise the Air Services Regulation to make air travel in Europe more reliable, transparent and resilient, and have a fitness check of airport legislation.

Second half 2027

Proposing legislation for easier and more affordable use of rental cars across borders.

Second half 2027

Further strengthening the attractiveness of rail mobility for tourism by connecting railway and tourism stakeholders in high-level events.

Second half 2027

Exploring solutions for EU-wide interoperability of local transport ticketing systems working with public transport authorities and associations.

First half 2028

Pillar 2 – Strengthening sustainability and building resilience

Action area 5: Clean and circular transition

Support tourism SMEs in applying relevant EU legislation and available tools related to the clean transition and climate action, including by developing for SMEs a toolkit with guidance, offering training and capacity building actions.

Second half 2028

Presenting renewed EU Ecolabel criteria for Tourist Accommodation Services to support more sustainable tourism business models.

Second half 2028

Action area 6: EU Model for Tourism Management

Launching the development of a common EU Model for Tourism Management in a collaborative process to support tourist destinations.

Second half 2027

Proposing a draft Council Recommendation on Balanced Tourism Management and a common EU Toolbox for Balanced Tourism to help destinations achieve beneficial tourist flows.

Second half 2027

Action area 7: Advancing tourists’ rights, affordability and inclusive tourism

Proposing a targeted revision of passenger rights legislation to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility.

Second half 2028

Setting up a dedicated information point on EU Tourists’ Rights and on Accessible Tourism as part of the EU Tourism Platform.

First half 2027 and

first half 2028

Action area 8: Strengthening resilience, crisis preparedness and responsiveness

Establishing the EU Tourism Crisis Coordination Network to better prepare for and respond to crises affecting specifically the tourism sector.

Second half 2027

Supporting Europe’s tourism sector in advancing climate resilience, building on the EU Framework for Climate Resilience.

Second half 2027

Pillar 3 – Enhancing international cooperation and outreach (Action area 9)

Engaging actively in international organisations and multilateral fora, including by agreeing on a new Cooperation Framework between the Commission and UN Tourism. 

Ongoing

Organising dedicated Tourism Dialogues and Fora with key regions and partners.

Ongoing

Enhancing the Destination Europe Framework, providing a European approach for coordinated promotion abroad.

First half 2028

Ensuring investment, governance and cooperation (Action area 10)

Setting up an EU Tourism Alliance to streamline the variety of existing EU coordination and expert groups and help steer the implementation of this Strategy.

Second half 2027

Supporting Member States and regions in designing tourism-related investments and reforms, including through sharing of best practices of how to set up a project pipeline and use financial instruments to be impactful for SMEs.

Ongoing

Continue developing local expert advisory capacity in tourism via the Enterprise Europe Network and other relevant initiatives.

Ongoing

Proposing a new European Capitals of Tourism Award based on the existing initiative.

Second half 2027

Launching the first Tourism Europe Days, as a highly visible biennial flagship event to further strengthen the cooperation across the tourism sector.

Second half 2027