At the European Parliament today, Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) met with travel and tourism industry leaders to advance strategies for enhancing sustainability and resilience within the sector.

Ten leading European travel and tourism organisations convened in the European Parliament today for a high-level meeting with Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, MEP Daniel Attard, other Members of the Tourism Task Force, the European Commission, and Member State representatives. 

Building on the work initiated in Rhodes, Greece, earlier this year, the meeting focused on efforts to foster collaborative dialogue between industry leaders and policymakers, with a focus on advancing the sector’s efforts towards enhanced sustainability, resilience and effective climate change mitigation.

The event follows the landmark Joint Declaration EU Tourism: Resilience in the Climate Crisis Era signed in April 2024 by the coalition of ten industry organisations. The Declaration outlines the industry’s commitment to decarbonisation, enhancing cross-sector collaboration and deepening engagement with policymakers to achieve a sustainable and competitive future for the travel and tourism sector.

On this special occasion, Commissioner Tzitzikostas highlighted the critical role of tourism in the EU and pledged to introduce a Sustainable Tourism Strategy to help the sector adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

During the discussions, industry representatives detailed their progress towards emission reduction targets. They emphasised the concrete steps being taken to support environmental commitments and drew attention to important challenges for an effective and timely transition.

Travel and tourism leaders stressed the importance of maintaining open dialogue between the public and private sectors, with the aim of clarifying and reducing compliance reporting requirements, identifying funding opportunities, and sharing effective best practices across industries.

IRU Vice President Patrick Westelinck said, “Coaches are already the greenest passenger transport mode per kilometre, yet our sector faces immense challenges in the transition to zero-emission fleets. Without viable, long-distance alternatives to diesel coaches from European manufacturers, and with increasing restrictions in cities, our operators and the mobility of tourists are at risk in the EU.” 

Member of the Tourism Task Force Steering Group MEP Daniel Attard (S&D, Malta) said, “The climate-related legislative packages have been adopted, and now our focus must shift to implementation. Sustainable targets are essential, but we must also safeguard the competitiveness of the industry. Economic growth and sustainability can and must go hand in hand. It is vital that our policies deliver tangible benefits for workers, businesses, and the environment alike.”

Today’s meeting sets the stage for a closer partnership between policymakers and the travel and tourism sector, ensuring that shared goals for a sustainable and resilient future can be achieved together.

The following organisations joined IRU in endorsing the declaration: 

1. Airlines for Europe (A4E)
2. Airports Council International (ACI EUROPE)
3. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
4. European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association (ECTAA)
5. European Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEIA)
6. European Regions Airline Association (ERA)
7. European Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes (HOTREC)
8. The Global Association for the Attractions Industry (IAAPA)
9. European Federation of Rural Tourism (RURALTOUR)