european tourism policy

Tourism Matters

Tourism is an important driver of economic and social development. The sector stimulates economic growth by generating income, employment and investment in Europe, and through its exports to origin markets worldwide. It helps to sustain our cultural and natural heritage, provides revenue to fund facilities and infrastructure enjoyed by visitors and residents, and promotes an awareness of a common European identity and citizenship distinguished by its diversity.

Sources: GDP, jobs and spend: WTTC EU Economic Impact.2024 ; arrivals: UN Tourism Barometer May 2024 (provisional data)

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Meeting vice-president of the european parliament, celebrating the reopening of travel, currently active campaign.

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We are an alliance of more than 70 European public and private organisations, covering the whole tourism value chain and beyond. Together we call on the European Union for action on key policy priorities for the sector.

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European tourism

Recent developments and future challenges, publication metadata, available languages and formats, english (en).

• Publication details
• Related publications
• Published: 2019
• Corporate author(s): Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union ( European Parliament ) , University of Central Lancashire , University of Girona , University of Ljubljana
• Personal author(s): Weston, Richard ;  Lawler, Mary ;  Jarratt, David ;  Guia, Jaume ;  Prats, Lluís ;  Blasco, Dani ;  Ferrer-Roca, Natàlia ;  Mihalič, Tanja
• Themes: Tourism
• Subject: consumer demand , European Union , new technology , sustainable development , tourism , tourism policy
• Released on EU Publications: 2020-03-09

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What you need to know about European travel this summer

With headlines warning of everything from flight delays to wildfires, summer travel is changing. Here’s how to make sure your trip this summer goes smoothly.

Record numbers of tourists are expected to visit Europe this summer. In the first three months of 2024, the number of international arrivals has already risen by 7.2% compared to 2019’s pre-pandemic figures, according to the European Travel Commission , with 120 million international tourists visiting the region in that time. Yet while this is welcome news for the tourism industry, some challenges remain for visitors, especially during the summer’s busy peak season, when potential flight delays, high temperatures, new laws and major events could all impact travel. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your European trip this summer goes smoothly.

1. What you need to know about flight disruptions

Increased passenger numbers, staff shortages and strikes meant there were 106.7 million delayed air passengers in Europe during peak summer months last year. More than 700,000 passengers were affected over the August bank holiday in the UK alone following a technical meltdown at air traffic control. This year, EasyJet has had to cancel over 100 flights from Paris due to a no-fly zone during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Ryanair has also cut flights from its summer schedule after the delivery of several of its new Boeing aircraft was delayed. If you’re due to fly, visit the airport’s website for the latest information, and check social media for real-time updates from other travellers. Remember that you may be owed compensation if you face disruption, but rules vary, so take out a travel insurance policy as soon as you book flights.

( What should you do if your flight is delayed or cancelled? )

2. Why you should consider travelling by train

Keep your carbon footprint low, avoid airport hassle and see even more of Europe this summer by taking advantage of a whole host of new and expanded routes across the continent. New services include a high-speed route connecting Barcelona to Madrid and Seville , a sleeper train from Brussels to Prague , a daily train between Vilnius and Riga , a relaunched night train between Paris and Nice and a sleeper train from Rome to the Dolomites . Following the success of Germany’s €49 unlimited monthly travel pass last year, France has also introduced its own nationwide rail pass for the same price. However, this is only valid for those under 27 and excludes high-speed TGV trains and travel in the greater Paris region of Ile-de-France.

( 6 of the world’s best coastal rail journeys .)

3. What to do you if you’re affected by wildfires

Following unprecedented high temperatures, wildfires swept through some of Europe’s most popular tourist spots last summer, scorching parts of Tenerife, mainland Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy. This year, protective measures have already been put in place that aim to prevent a repeat of the disaster, with Greece banning all outdoor fires from April and increasing investment in fire detection and water tankers. To ensure you’re protected if the worst happens, arrange travel insurance at the time of booking, then keep an eye on official travel advisories for up-to-date information. If you’re affected by wildfires or any other natural disasters when you’re away, follow the advice of the emergency services and evacuate when instructed, then contact your tour operator or airline for help getting home.

( What to do if you’re caught in a disaster while travelling. )

4. How big events could disrupt your travel  

From Taylor Swift’s tour across Europe to the UEFA European Championship in Germany, Europe is limbering up for a summer of major cultural and sporting events. The Olympic Games in Paris are expected to attract three million more visitors than usual . This is likely to mean a greater demand for accommodation, higher prices, crowded public transport, unexpected road closures and even increased security checks in response to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks. If your holiday does coincide with an event, try to explore beyond the city itself, visit nearby tourist attractions that could be quieter than normal, or just enjoy the inevitable citywide buzz surrounding the main event.

( How to explore Paris this summer beyond the Olympics. )

5. Why you should think about overcrowding

While many destinations welcome a return to pre-pandemic levels of tourism, others are actively trying to deter visitors. In Barcelona , tour groups have been capped at 20 people, while entrance to Athens’ Acropolis is now limited to 20,000 tourists each day. Dubrovnik has already cut the number of souvenir stands by 80%, while thousands attended an anti-tourism protest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in April. All are concerned that overcrowding leads to skyrocketing prices for locals and causes environmental damage, with increased plastic pollution, erosion of heritage sites and traffic congestion. Consider less-visited destinations instead, swapping Santorini for Folegandros an hour’s ferry ride away, Dubrovnik for Šibenik with its medieval centre and fortress, or Barcelona for the Spanish seaside city of Valencia.

( What’s the problem with overtourism? )

6. How to deal with heatwaves

2023 was the hottest year on record globally, with temperatures in Europe above average for 11 months of the year. The Mediterranean was the worst area affected, with temperatures soaring above 40°C across Italy, Spain, Turkey, Cyprus and Greece. Consider travelling outside the hottest months, between July and September, or visiting destinations further north such as Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania or Ireland which should escape the most intense heat. If temperatures do climb, wear high-factor SPF, avoid being outside in the middle of the day and wear light-coloured clothes made from breathable materials. Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water, and keep a close eye on vulnerable people, including young children and the elderly.

7. How to avoid being caught out by local laws and taxes

Do your research before travelling to make sure you don’t fall foul of new laws. A €5 tax for day-trippers was introduced in Venice in April, for example, and will be enforced on selected dates until July. It can be paid online in advance, and those staying overnight are exempt but do still need to register. A second tourist tax of €1 to €5 per night is already applicable to overnight stays and should be paid at your hotel. Be aware that some Airbnbs ask that this is paid in cash. Other new rules in parts of Mallorca and Ibiza ban drinking on the street and prevent shops selling alcohol at night, though you will still be able to buy drinks in bars and restaurants.

Related Topics

• FAMILY TRAVEL
• CITY GUIDES

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Popular European city imposes new ban on groups of tourists

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Famous for operating almost entirely on the water, Venice is one of the most visited cities in Italy .

But it isn’t all roses: tourism is an endless topic of debate in the region, with it’s new entry fee causing controversy among locals and visitors like.

And now, it’s imposed yet more rules for those who want to experience the city: guided groups travelling to the World Heritage Site , as well as the nearby islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello, will be limited to a maximum of 25 people.

For perspective, this is approximately half the capacity of a standard tour bus, which typically accommodates around 50 passengers.

The rule aims to cut down pedestrian traffic in immensely popular areas such as Piazza San Marco and Murano’s Via del Giudecca, with loudspeakers, which generate ‘confusion and disturbances,’ according to the city, also banned.

Venice, which is the capital of Italy’s Veneto region in the north, is visited by millions of tourists each year – an estimated 30 million, to be exact.

And yet, only around 260,000 people call it their permanent home, meaning that visitors far outnumber locals, many of whom are increasingly dissatisfied with the culture of over-tourism.  

Last year, one Reddit thread lent itself to this very debate after one user by the name of @OnionAdmirable7353 wrote: ‘Too many tourists this summer?’ in the Venice thread .

‘I live an hour away, and it’s terrible what the local residents must endure on a daily basis. Something has to change because this isn’t sustainable for sure,’ @insatiable_infj penned in reply, while @Exotic_Tackle_940 added that there are ‘still too many’ tourists, describing it as ‘overcrowded all year’ and holiday season as ‘unbearable.’

Others argued that ‘poor Venice’ was taking too much of the brunt.

‘It’s too concentrated on poor Venice. There are so many beautiful cities in Italy that could handle a few more visitors, even just in Veneto. Everything you think you want from history to art to food is also available in Padova, Vicenza, Treviso…. Why are people only going to Venice?’ @Fastness2000 said.

The measure comes just months after the controversial tourist tax was launched in April, making Venice the first in the world to charge a fee for tourists and restrictions on tour groups.

Though the €5 (£4.26) entry fee has been introduced to protect the city from over-tourism, not all locals aren’t happy.

Speaking to  The Guardian , Matteo Secchi complained: ‘I can tell you that almost the entire city is against it. You can’t impose an entrance fee to a city; all they’re doing is transforming it into a theme park. This is a bad image for Venice… I mean, are we joking?’

Likewise, the city’s former mayor, Massimo Cacciari, is not a fan of the fee, telling the Adnkronos news agency that tourists already ‘pay for everything’ and urging them not to pay it at all.

Your Daily Horoscope

What does the week have in store? Your tarot horoscope reading for June 10 to June 16

So, if you’re looking to experience a gondola ride or two this summer, remember to add the tourist tax into your holiday budget, too.

Lake Como is also adopting a ‘tourist fee’ like Venice

The gorgeous  Italian  locale of Lake Como is planning to follow in the footsteps of Venice by introducing a tourist tax.

The travel hotspot, located in Lombardo, northern Italy, attracts around 1.4 million visitors a year. It was used as a glamorous backdrop in  Lady Gaga ’s film House of Gucci, and the  James Bond  flick Casino Royale. 

Alessandro Rapinese, mayor of Como city, said the idea of a tourist tax – an extra charge for visitors to wander around the area – is under consideration.

‘We are already discussing the idea [of a tourist tax]. Revolutions begin with concrete measures and we are ready for this long journey,’ Alessandro told  The Times in April 2024.

‘[It’s] difficult to be mayor when you are fighting tourism.’

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You were on the No.16 bus on Friday May 31. I sat beside the window and…

European tourism legislation

Types of legislation.

European legislation affects all European citizens and businesses. Depending on the type of legislation, it can affect you directly (by its binding nature) and, in other cases, indirectly (with the recommendations or legislative trends that it marks).

The European Commission does not impose legislative trends, but it does shape them with a variety of legal procedures. It is therefore important to know the European legislative process and the types of legislation drawn up by the EU. In this way, you can understand different European tourism developments.

How is legislation developed in the EU?

The main method used in the EU to create rules is called ordinary proceedings. In this type of procedure, the European Commission is the EU body that develops, proposes and implements legislation. European Parliament (elected by European citizens) approves legislation together with the European Council (made up of the governments from the 28 EU countries).

Among the legislative acts that the EU creates, the most important are regulations, directives and decisions. These directly or indirectly affect EU countries, and the businesses within those countries.

For more information about the creation of European legislation , you can watch this animated guide: How it works: European laws .

Which pieces of legislation concern tourism in the EU?

Below are some directives which have a greater influence or impact on tourism industry regulation in the different EU countries.

Directive (EU) 2015/2302 on package travel and linked travel arrangements

What does it do? This piece of legislation clarifies the law surrounding travel services sold online. It therefore regulates the sale of package holidays .

What has been the impact? The directive had three main impacts. It responds to the changes in traditional travel distribution chains, while enhancing transparency and increasing the legal certainty for travellers and traders. It involved a change for both consumers and the intermediary subsector.

Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on services in the internal market

What does it do? The objective of this Directive on Services in the Single Market is to eliminate the difficulties in establishing tourism activities and to streamline procedures for creating new companies.

What has been the impact? Authorisation schemes for certain hotels, restaurants and travel agencies have been abolished. A declaration of responsibility has replaced them. This has led to the creation of the points of single contact .

Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare

What does it do? This directive on cross-border healthcare is intended to facilitate access to safe and high-quality cross-border healthcare in the EU.

What has been the impact? It allows European citizens to choose the country where they want to be medically treated.

Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on consumer rights

What does it do? The Consumer Rights Directive aims to achieve a real business-to-consumer (B2C) internal market, with a high level of consumer protection and a competitive environment for businesses.

What has been the impact? It maintains a high level of consumer protection across the EU and has contributed to the proper functioning of the internal market, particularly concerning contracts concluded between consumers and traders.

Directive 2005/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2011 concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market

What does it do? The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive aims to boost consumer confidence and make it easier for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to trade across borders.

What has been the impact? It means that under EU rules, unfair commercial practices enable national enforcers to curb a broad range of unfair business practices. This includes untruthful information given to consumers, or aggressive marketing techniques designed to influence their choices.

Passenger rights

What does it do? Your passenger rights detail your rights when travelling in the EU.

What has been the impact? It means passengers who have experienced delays or cancellations by air, rail, ship or bus, can activate their rights and claim compensation.

Regulation (EC) Fairness in platform-to-business relations Platform-to-business trading practices

What does it do? The platform-to–business trading practices aim to promote fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services.

What has been the impact? There are now concrete actions on unfair contracts and trading practices in platform-to-business relations, which safeguards a fair, predictable, sustainable and trusted business environment in the online economy.

Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 on the EU Ecolabel

What does it do? The EU Ecolabel with the Tourism Accommodation Criteria is the only sign of environmental quality that is both certified by an independent organisation and valid throughout Europe.

What has been the impact? The Ecolabel satisfies the tourism industry’s demand for more environmentally friendly resorts and accommodation. It helps tourism accommodations to implement measures that make their operation more environmentally friendly by setting technical, measurable criteria on specific aspects such as water and waste management, energy consumption, etc. The EU Ecolabel is well known by customers, therefore certified accommodations displaying the “green leaf” label get more visibility towards environmentally conscious customers.

How does EU legislation impact tourism?

A legislative act brings EU policy into law. Everything the EU does is reflective of the over-arching treaties, which are democratically approved by all EU countries. The objectives of the EU treaties are achieved through various types of legislation.

Regulations

A regulation is a binding legislative act. It should be fully applied throughout the EU. An example is the regulation on regulation on insurance for air carriers and operators , affecting airlines and aircraft operators in all European countries.

A directive is a legislative act which establishes an objective that all EU countries must comply with – but each country must decide individually how to do so. An example of this is the directive on directive on package travel, holidays and tours , crucial to the operation of travel agencies. Learn more about directives and their implementation .

A decision is binding for those to whom it is addressed (one EU country or a particular company) and it is directly applicable. An example is the decision on the Community eco-label criteria for tourism accomodation services.

Recommendations

A recommendation is not binding and merely suggests how to act. An example is the recommendation on implementing rules on Chinese visas .

An opinion allows certain institutions to make non-binding declarations, i.e. without imposing legal obligations to the groups addressed. An example is the European Parliament’s opinion on the political framework for European tourism .

Useful resources

• an overview of the European legislation impacting tourism .
• the main aspects of European legislation, policies and activities .

Further reading on legislation affecting tourism

• Regulation of tourism activity in Europe
• Legal regulations for e-commerce
• Understanding tourism legislation Learn about what tourism legislation is and what it encompasses, how it can affect you when creating and managing a tourism business, and how you can keep up to date with any changes in legislation.

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Traveling slowly and giving a reasonable time for a few select countries is a much more rewarding and memorable way of discovering Europe than hopping all over the place.

One of the biggest differences between Europeans generally and Americans is the approach to customer service. Your waiter will not tell you their name and come over every five minutes to "check if everything is ok." Waiters take your order, bring it to you, and leave you be until you're ready to leave. They won't bring you the cheque until you ask them to. It’s considered rude to rush people out of a restaurant by bringing them the cheque since in Europe a meal is more an event rather than just a "eat and move on" deal.

ChicagoAvidTraveller

In France, if you just talk to a local in English, people will ignore you. If you at least greet them in French, then they themselves start talking to you in English (realizing you are a tourist).

lastraniera

I can’t help noticing how well behaved even quite young children are in restaurants. They understand that they have to sit at the table patiently and eat with the grown-ups in what may appear to your children to be a fairly formal setting.

luvplayacar

Pack small! The buildings are old and the stairways are small and narrow and the elevators say they will fit eight, but, they will not fit eight U.S. citizens with large luggage.

European countries have amazing diversity and allow you to see totally different landscapes, cultures, and cuisines on the same continent.

Berlin is one of my favorite European destinations.

Barcelona is well known for its incredible cultural offerings from Gaudí’s impressive architecture to amazing works by the artist Picasso.

Rome is one of the world's most fascinating cities.

A unique Mediterranean Island full of history, great people, fantastic food and amazing places. Sea, mountains, active volcanoes... come and discover Sicily, it will go beyond your expectations.

London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for a reason. A cultural and historical hub.

Paris is magical! From its pretty and remarkable landscapes to its inspiring cafes, Paris has a unique combination of traditional architecture, rich history, pleasant parks and squares, original cuisine and special spirit of life.

This is such a fabulous restaurant and the food is exceptional. The cuisine draws on the traditional Sicilian but adds a modern twist.

Mike Weddle

This is our favorite restaurant in the world. An exquisite Parisian experience.

One of London’s best kept secrets for chilling out and lazing on a Sunday afternoon. A proper roast Sunday lunch with all the trimmings and apple crumble and custard to follow...I think I've gone to heaven!

What is the best way to get there?

International airports are located in all major cities in Europe.

Do I need a visa?

Travelers can obtain a single visa allowing access and free movement between all 26 countries of the Schengen zone. If you’re visiting from overseas, use  Schengen Visa info  to see if you need a visa.

For countries outside this zone, including the U.K., Ireland, and many countries in Eastern Europe, contact the respective country’s embassy to find out if you need a visa.

When is the best time to visit?

Any time: Europe is a year-round destination. Summer travelers flock to the beaches of Spain, Greece, and the south of France; while winter visitors hit the ski slopes in the Alps or tour Europe’s famous Christmas Markets. The summer months are often the busiest for city sightseeing—a spring or autumn visit means fewer crowds and often lower prices on flights and accommodation.

Festivals take place throughout the seasons in Europe, with top events including Munich’s Oktoberfest (Sept), Venice Carnival (Feb-Mar), Cannes Film Festival (May), Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Aug), and La Tomatina Festival in Valencia (Aug).

Low-cost airlines operate throughout Europe and flying is often the cheapest way to hop between cities.

There are high-speed trains linking cities all across Europe. The most cost-effective option is a Eurail or Interrail Pass, which offers unlimited train travel. Passes are available for individual countries or you can get a Global Pass valid in 33 countries. There’s also the Eurostar train between England and France.

Most countries operate their own nationwide bus companies. Eurolines and Flixbus operate low-cost long-distance bus services to 29 European countries.

Car and passenger ferries operate between the destinations along the English Channel, the Baltic Sea coast, and the Mediterranean coast.

ridesharing

Uber , BlaBlaCar , and Bolt are available in many European cities on your smartphone.

On the ground

What is the timezone.

Time zones range from Greenwich Mean Time in the United Kingdom to Central European Standard Time in France, Italy, and other central European countries; to Eastern European Standard Time in Finland, Romania, and other Eastern countries.

What are the voltage/plug types?

Most European countries use a standard voltage of 220–240 V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. The plug has two round pins. Exceptions include the UK and Ireland, which use a plug with three pins. For plug types, you can reference the international guide here.

What is the currency?

The Euro is used by 19 countries within the Eurozone. Other countries each have their own currencies. Although some non-Euro countries may accept the Euro, this practice is typically restricted to tourist areas, and you will need to use the local currency throughout Europe.

Are ATMs readily accessible?

Are credit cards widely accepted, how much do i tip.

Although tipping etiquette varies from country to country, in general, tipping is not obligatory in Europe. A tip for exceptional service is always appreciated, typically between 10-20%. Some restaurants, especially in major cities, may add a service charge, so it’s worth checking the bill.

Are there local customs I should know?

In almost all European countries, the federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 18 years old. In some countries, the age for purchasing beer and wine is lower. An exception is Iceland, where the legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 20 years old.

Public transport

Allow others to disembark before boarding, don’t take up more than one seat, and stand to offer seating to pregnant women or someone with a disability. In many cities, it is customary to stand to the right on escalators to allow others to pass.

Try to speak the language

The EU has 24 official languages and even more languages are spoken throughout the rest of Europe. Although you will often find someone who speaks English, especially in major cities and tourist areas, it is polite to enquire if the person speaks English instead of assuming. Where possible, try to learn a few words such as ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank you’ in the local language as a sign of respect.

Keep your VAT receipts

Most European countries add TVA or VAT (value-added tax) to the purchase of goods and services. This sales tax can often be refunded for international travelers, so hold onto your receipts and fill out the claims form at customs on departure.

Always greet people

A courteous, formal greeting in the local language is always appreciated—this includes shop attendants, wait staff, hotel staff, and drivers. However, Europeans, in general, are more reserved than some other cultures, so don’t expect strangers to smile at you in the street or strike up a conversation.

Don’t talk loudly in public

Although customs vary from country to country, in most European cultures, this is considered ugly and rude.