Tourism is one of the most vibrant industries in the EU: it brings people together, promotes cultural understanding and fosters economic growth. How does the EU support and enhance tourism and how does it ensure that travel is more sustainable, accessible and beneficial for all?

How the EU shapes tourism across Europe

EP Plenary session - Towards a shared vision for European tourism, its sustainable growth and brand Europe

Subtainable tourism

TRAN Committee meeting - Exchange of views  on tourism industry in the light of recent difficulties of Thomas Cook

Plenary session - Effects of the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook Group

TRAN Committee - Tourism Task Force : achievements & future perspectives

High level Conference ' Tourism : A European Jobs Machine ' Round table: Tourism innovation and digital economy

High level Conference ' Tourism : A European Jobs Machine ' Round table: How to attract more investment; improve the business environment and upgrade skills

High level Conference ' A European strategy to enhance the competitiveness of the tourism industry, a key driver for job creation ' Family photo

High level Conference ' Tourism : A European Jobs Machine ' Opening

This infoclip shows what the housing sector in Barcelona and Brussels is like. The market for short-term rentals in Spain has been rapidly increasing, mainly due to the expansion of online platforms such as Airbnb. Barcelona is among the top city destinations for tourists booking their accommodation through these online platforms. (Source: Eurostat) While such rentals create benefits for hosts, tourists and many regions, the lack of appropriate rules also contributes to problems such as higher housing prices, over-tourism, and unfair competition. This infoclip also shows a social housing project in Schaerbeek, one of Brussels’ municipalities. Social housing in Belgium is provided by local authorities for people who cannot afford to buy or rent accommodation privately. Because of high house prices, people with low or middle incomes cannot access home ownership. The existing stock of social housing is insufficient to match the growing demand. (Source: OECD)

Infoclip: Housing conditions in Europe

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), As the pandemic took a heavy toll on tourism, MEPs look into lessons learned from the 2021 season and the effectiveness of the EU digital COVID certificate. Closing statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market.

Assessing the Union’s measures for the EU tourism sector as the end of the Summer season nears: closing statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), As the pandemic took a heavy toll on tourism, MEPs look into lessons learned from the 2021 season and the effectiveness of the EU digital COVID certificate. Opening statement by Karima DELLI (Greens/EFA, FR), Author and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market.

Assessing the Union’s measures for the EU tourism sector as the end of the Summer season nears: opening statement by Karima DELLI (Greens/EFA, FR), Author and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), As the pandemic took a heavy toll on tourism, MEPs look into lessons learned from the 2021 season and the effectiveness of the EU digital COVID certificate.

Assessing the Union’s measures for the EU tourism sector as the end of the Summer season nears: MEPs debate

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate to give final approval to the EU Digital COVID Certificate, to facilitate intra-EU travel during the pandemic and contribute to the economic recovery. Once adopted by the Parliament and the Council it will apply in all EU member states from 1 July. Statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Rapporteur, Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), Tineke STRIK (Greens/EFA, NL), Joachim Stanisław BRUDZIŃSKI (ECR, PL) and Cornelia ERNST (The Left, DE).

EU Digital COVID Certificate: extracts from the joint debate

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the EU Digital COVID Certificate: opening statements by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Rapporteur, and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Joint debate on the EU Digital COVID Certificate: opening statements by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Rapporteur, and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on EU Digital COVID Certificate: MEPs debate 3/3

Joint debate on EU Digital COVID Certificate: MEPs debate 3/3

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on EU Digital COVID Certificate. Part 1.

Joint debate on EU Digital COVID Certificatee: MEPs debate 1/3

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on EU Digital COVID Certificate: closing statement Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Joint debate on EU Digital COVID Certificate: closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on EU Digital COVID Certificate: MEPs debate 2/3

Joint debate on EU Digital COVID Certificate: MEPs debate 2/3

Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), rapporteur, gives a press conference on the EU digital COVID Certificate, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Statement is followed by a questions and answers session with journalists.

Press conference by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), rapporteur, on the EU digital COVID Certificate

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the EU support to the hospitality sector in order to save the summer tourism season: opening statement by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, European Council and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for the Internal Market.

Saving the summer tourism season - EU support to the hospitality sector: opening statements by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, European Council and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for the Internal Market

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the EU support to the hospitality sector in order to save the summer tourism season: closing statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for the Internal Market and by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, European Council.

Saving the summer tourism season - EU support to the hospitality sector: closing statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for the Internal Market and by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, European Counci

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the EU support to the hospitality sector in order to save the summer tourism season.

Saving the summer tourism season - EU support to the hospitality sector: MEPs debate

During the plenary session, Parliament debate on a resolution from the Transport Committee that urges EU countries to include the tourism and travel sectors in their COVID-19 recovery plans and to consider temporarily reducing VAT on these services. MEP advocate also on a common vaccination certificate to facilitate travel. Extracts from the debate (24/03), the vote (25/03), and statements by Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP, PT), Rapporteur and Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.

EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism: statement by Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP, PT), Rapporteur and extracts from the debate and the votes

Members of the EP Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) vote on Establishing an EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism. Statement by Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP,PT), rapporteur. Illustrations tourism in crisis in the EU.

TRAN Committee - Vote on Establishing an EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism: statement by Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR (EPP,PT), rapporteur

One of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 crisis is the tourism sector, which, according to estimates by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, is suffering loses of around EUR 1 billion per month in the EU alone. This infoclip illustrates the global impact of the COVID on the tourism in Europe. Views of travel agencies, airport, empty hotel infrastructure in Canary Islands or tourist attractions impacted by COVID-19 in Strasbourg, Rome, Barcelona and Prague.

Infoclip: Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism in Europe

To support the transport sector, Parliament is set to extend some exemptions for air slot distribution and certificate expiry dates, including for driving licences. This infoclip illustrates the general atmophere of Brussels airport (Belgium): people on registration, flight shedule panel, planes on tarmac and on take off.

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