On Wednesday, the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) committee adopted a series of proposals on ways to enhance connectivity, preserve cultural heritage, and promote local excellence in European tourism, by 33 votes in favour, four against, and with four abstentions.

Tackling overtourism

MEPs stress that 80% of travellers visit only 10% of global destinations. The goal should therefore be to relieve pressure from places experiencing overtourism and to redirect visitors to lesser-known, emerging or remote destinations, such as rural heartlands, mountains or remote regions. Gastronomy, wine, beer, heritage, cycling and regenerative tourism experiences can create new opportunities for emerging destinations, extend travel beyond peak seasons and generate additional income, they add.

To make European tourism more sustainable, TRAN committee MEPs propose improving transport connections. They call on the Commission to identify a specific support mechanism to reinforce air, sea and land links…