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Mar 2026
Lawmakers in the European Parliament have backed a plan to reshape tourism across the European Union, focusing on reducing pressure on crowded destinations and spreading travel more evenly across the region.
The Transport and Tourism (TRAN) committee approved the proposal on March 18, 2026, with 33 votes in favor, four against, and four abstentions.
The resolution, which still needs approval from the full Parliament, calls for stronger transport links, tighter oversight of short-term rentals, and new ways to guide visitors toward less-visited areas.
Shifting travel patterns
Members of the European Parliament identified overtourism as a key challenge facing the sector. They noted that 80% of travelers visit just 10% of global destinations, placing intense pressure on a limited number of locations.
To address this, lawmakers want tourism policy to redirect visitors to lesser-known places. These include rural regions, mountain areas, and remote destinations that often see fewer tourists but have the capacity to host more.
The committee said promoting niche tourism could help rebalance demand. Areas such as gastronomy, wine, beer, heritage, cycling, and regenerative tourism were cited as ways to attract travelers while extending tourism beyond peak seasons.
Officials also expect these efforts to generate income in regions that have not traditionally benefited from mass tourism.
Transport links take priority
Improving transportation is a central part of the plan. Lawmakers urged the European Commission to include measures in its upcoming sustainable tourism strategy that would strengthen air, sea, and land connections to emerging destinations.
They also called for practical upgrades to make travel smoother and more sustainable. These include support for electric vehicle leasing and charging infrastructure, as well as expanding cross-border night train services.
Another proposal involves accelerating the rollout of an integrated ticketing system that would allow travelers to combine rail, air, and maritime transport in a single booking.
Lawmakers argued that better connectivity would make it easier for travelers to explore new destinations and reduce reliance on already crowded hotspots.
(Image courtesy of william87 via iStock)
Short-term rentals under review
The committee also turned its attention to short-term rental platforms, which have grown rapidly in recent years.
Lawmakers welcomed new EU rules set to take effect on May 20, 2026, calling them a step toward better destination management. At the same time, they warned that current measures may not go far enough.
According to the committee, unregulated growth in short-term rentals can reduce the authenticity of local communities, worsen housing shortages, and displace residents.
To address these concerns, lawmakers proposed a new EU framework that would introduce clearer rules for service providers. This could include defining different categories of hosts and allowing member states to limit the number of nights a property can be rented.
They also suggested authorization systems and zoning rules to help local authorities manage tourism flows more effectively.
Funding, workforce gaps
Tourism taxes and workforce shortages were also part of the discussion.
Some cities and regions already use environmental tourism taxes to fund local projects. Lawmakers pointed to these examples as models that could be shared across the EU to support sustainable tourism development.
They said that such taxes could be used to improve infrastructure, protect the environment, and benefit local communities.
Labor shortages remain another challenge. To address this, lawmakers proposed the creation of a tourism skills card.
The card would record a worker’s training, qualifications, and professional experience. Officials believe this could improve job mobility across the EU and help address staffing gaps in the sector.
(Image courtesy of Marc Bruxelle via iStock)
Cultural role emphasized
Lawmakers also highlighted the role of cultural workers, local organizations, and volunteers in maintaining Europe’s tourism appeal.
They praised these groups for their contribution to preserving cultural heritage and supporting tourism activities at the local level.
The committee called on the European Commission to develop guidelines that would encourage more cultural volunteering. The aim is to strengthen community involvement while protecting heritage sites.
Rapporteur outlines strategy
Daniel Attard, the report’s rapporteur and a member of the S&D group from Malta, described the proposal as a starting point for a broader EU tourism strategy.
“This report is a first step towards shaping Europe’s first sustainable tourism strategy,” Attard said.
He added that the package addresses several key areas, including connectivity, managing tourism flows beyond hotspots, culture, environmental action, skills and mobility, and short-term rentals.
The resolution reflects a growing push within EU institutions to coordinate tourism policy at a regional level.
(Image courtesy of StephenBridger via iStock)
Industry scale adds pressure
The stakes are high for the EU, which remains the world’s top tourist destination.
Tourism accounts for about 10.5% of the EU’s gross domestic product and supports roughly 12.3 million jobs across the bloc.
With demand continuing to grow, policymakers are under pressure to balance economic benefits with environmental and social concerns.
Parliament vote pending
The committee’s proposal is not legally binding and must still be approved by the full European Parliament.
A vote could take place during the April plenary session.
If adopted, the resolution would guide the European Commission in drafting a more detailed strategy for sustainable tourism across the EU.
For now, lawmakers have set out a roadmap that focuses on spreading tourism more evenly, improving infrastructure, and tightening rules in areas where growth has outpaced regulation.
The next step will determine whether those ideas gain broader political backing.