Both the European Tourism Convention, organised by the European Commission and the European Tourism Forum, organised by the German Council Presidency, focused on the future strategy of the EU for tourism after a year of disruption caused by COVID-19.

At both events, Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton highlighted the need to launch concrete actions to support the recovery of the tourism and travel sector. He highlighted the importance of a close cooperation between the EU institutions, national governments, and the tourism industry at the time of crisis and during the recovery phase. He also highlighted the need to focus on sustainability of tourism, and the need for tourism to have a strong position and the sector to receive funding in national recovery plans.

Discussed at the Commission event, three main action strands were presented that may form the basis of the new tourism strategy (“Tourism Agenda 2050”), namely:

1) Safe and seamless tourism experience
2) Greener holidays
3) Tourism powered by data

In advance, EBI had already signalled the main areas of interest for the boating and nautical tourism industry and will continue the discussions with the European Commission on specific elements.