Thursday, March 27, 2025
In March 2025, a crucial session of the European Parliament took place to discuss how the travel and tourism sector could remain competitive on a global scale while also achieving the European Union’s decarbonisation objectives. This session was attended by policymakers and industry stakeholders who collectively represented a market worth more than €1.65 trillion. These participants included influential organisations such as the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Travalyst, and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), alongside MEP Nikolina Brnjac, a key member of both the Transport Committee and the Tourism Task Force. The meeting was centered around finding ways to balance sustainability goals with the demands of a rapidly evolving global travel landscape.
Aligned Standards and Policy Certainty for Global Competitiveness
During the session, Nikolina Brnjac emphasised that the aim was not to deregulate the sector but to regulate better. She noted that the focus was on supporting European tourism businesses and destinations so that they could lead in terms of sustainability, while also remaining competitive in the global market. The European Union’s role, she stated, is to create a regulatory framework that enables such leadership. This leadership, according to Suzanne Neufang, the CEO of the GBTA, was already visible. Neufang pointed out that European corporate travel managers are already leveraging their purchasing power to drive change towards sustainable travel. With nearly €400 billion spent annually, Europe’s financial influence was seen as a critical factor in achieving significant progress on sustainability goals in the travel industry. Neufang suggested that the EU should continue to provide common industry standards and clarity on investments in areas such as rail, multimodal transport, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, stressed the importance of global alignment in efforts to decarbonise the travel sector. She warned that without international coordination, the industry would risk moving backwards in terms of sustainability rather than making meaningful progress. Similarly, Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President of Advocacy & Communications at WTTC, underlined the need for policies that are effective, proportionate, and aligned with global efforts to reduce emissions. Messina also pointed out that such policies can only be successfully implemented through close collaboration with the private sector.
Progress Made and Key Demands Moving Forward
In the past five years, the EU has played a pivotal role in advancing global progress on climate change by aligning its policies with the Paris Climate Agreement. The European Green Deal, in particular, has set the necessary framework for achieving climate neutrality by 2050, a commitment the EU has made to reduce emissions. Moreover, other strategic initiatives, such as the Clean Industrial Deal and the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, are seen as key to transitioning the industry toward more sustainable practices.
However, participants at the March 2025 event stressed the need to avoid further changes to legislation that could lead to uncertainty for businesses that are already preparing for the implementation of the original regulations. One of the major demands was for accurate and standardised data comparisons across various global destinations to assist consumers in making informed decisions. Several new standards, such as CountEmissionsEU, Flight Emissions Label, and Green Claims, were noted as having significant potential impact on the travel sector. To streamline these initiatives, stakeholders urged the EU to incorporate established frameworks such as the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI), GBTA Sustainable Procurement Standards, and the Travel Impact Model.
The Need for Continued Support for Sustainable Travel Options
Another key area of discussion was the EU’s continued support for sustainable travel options. Delegates at the session reiterated the importance of sustaining the momentum for key initiatives such as the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, which aims to promote green transport infrastructure. There was also strong support for the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), which are expected to play a major role in reducing aviation emissions.
An ambitious goal discussed was the creation of a European high-speed train network, with the introduction of a Single Digital Booking and Ticketing System. This system would simplify the process of booking and managing travel across Europe, making rail travel more attractive to passengers. Another important measure discussed was the Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS) initiative, which would enable passengers to seamlessly combine different modes of transport on a single ticket, offering an integrated travel experience that could significantly reduce carbon footprints.
Impact on the Travel Industry and Global Travelers
These discussions highlighted a profound shift in the travel industry towards greater sustainability and better regulatory frameworks. As European businesses and stakeholders continue to collaborate on reducing emissions and enhancing the competitiveness of the EU travel sector, the effects will ripple globally. Travelers, in particular, will benefit from more sustainable options and greater transparency when choosing travel modes. The industry will also have to adapt to new standards, and businesses will need to invest in green technologies and sustainable practices to remain competitive.
As the global travel market evolves, the EU’s leadership in sustainability will play a crucial role in shaping how the industry grows. The initiatives discussed are expected to lead to a more sustainable future for travel and tourism, influencing both European and global travelers alike.
