News

01 June 2026

EU Sets Strategic Course for a Sustainable Tourism Future

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The European Union has introduced a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at transforming the tourism sector into a model of sustainability and competitiveness. Announced by the Council, these guidelines focus on leveraging technology, fostering resilience, and enhancing collaboration with local communities to ensure a balanced approach to tourism development across Europe.

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Council of Europe

Related Organisation(s)

Council of Europe

Topics Geographical descriptors

EU-27

Organisation Type

Academic / Research and VET Institutions

Business Support Organisation

Company with 250 or more employees

Cluster Organisations

Consumer Organisations

Cultural and Heritage Organisations

Destination Management & Marketing Organisations

EU Institutions

Financial Institutions and Investors

Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce

International Organisations

Local Authorities

Media / Journalist Organisations

National authorities

Networks and Federations / Confederations

NGOs / Non-profits

Notified Bodies

Regional Authorities

SMEs (a company with less than 250 employees)

Social Economy Entity

Trade Unions

Other

• Specific types of tourism

• • Adventure tourism

  • Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

  • Cultural tourism

  • Ecotourism

  • Education tourism

  • Festival tourism

  • Gastronomy tourism

  • Health and medical tourism

  • MICE tourism

  • Mountain tourism

  • Religious tourism

  • Rural tourism

  • Sports tourism

  • Urban/city tourism

  • Wellness tourism

• Transition Pathway Strategic Areas

• • Cross-border travelling

  • Digitalisation of tourism SMEs and destinations

  • Governance of tourism destinations

  • Green Transition of Tourism Companies and SMEs

  • Innovative tourism services

  • Sustainable mobility

  • Tourism strategies

  • Well-being of residents

• Business activities

• • Activities of amusement parks and theme parks

  • Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism

  • Air passenger transport

  • Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks

  • Events catering and other food services

  • Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities

  • Gardens and nature reserves activities

  • Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation

  • Hotel and similar accommodation

  • Mobile beverage services

  • Mobile food services

  • Museums

  • Operation of historical sites

  • Other

  • Other accommodation

  • Other amusement and recreation activities

  • Other food and beverage services

  • Other holiday reservation services

  • Other tourism transportation activities

  • Rail Passenger transport

  • Recreational and sport activities

  • Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)

  • Road passenger transport

  • Tour operator activities

  • Travel agency activities

  • Water (sea, coastal and inland) passenger transport

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In a decisive move to redefine tourism across Europe, the Council of the European Union has set strategic guidelines that aspire to reshape the sector into a sustainable and competitive powerhouse. On May 28, 2026, these guidelines were announced, marking a significant step towards ensuring that tourism integrates both economic vitality and environmental stewardship.

Central to this initiative is the commitment to innovation, where cutting-edge digital solutions and eco-friendly practices are emphasized as key drivers for the industry's evolution. The guidelines aim to harness technology to enhance tourist experiences while reducing environmental impacts, creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for all visitors.

A cornerstone of the Council’s strategy is fostering resilience within the tourism sector. By encouraging diversification and supporting smaller businesses, the EU aims to build a robust framework that can adapt to economic fluctuations and external challenges. This proactive approach is designed to safeguard the industry against potential disruptions while promoting long-term sustainability.

Moreover, the guidelines emphasize the importance of collaboration with local communities and stakeholders. By promoting cultural heritage and supporting regional identities, the EU seeks to preserve the unique charm of its destinations while ensuring that tourism benefits are shared among locals.

For those eager to delve deeper into the specifics of these strategic guidelines, the complete press release offer a thorough exploration of Europe’s ambitious vision for tourism.

#Sustainable tourism #Ecotourism #Community-based tourism #Climate-friendly tourism practices #Cross-regional cooperation

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