The European Union is moving towards a major shift in European tourism policy, as lawmakers have approved a new strategy aimed at tackling overtourism and redistributing visitors to less well-known destinations.
The proposal was approved on March 18, 2026 by the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) with 33 votes in favour, 4 against and 4 abstentions, and is expected to go to a plenary vote in April.
Overtourism: pressure on popular destinations
EU lawmakers note that 80% of travellers concentrate in just 10% of destinations, placing severe pressure on iconic locations such as Venice, Santorini and Barcelona.
Key challenges include overcrowding, environmental degradation, infrastructure strain, rising housing costs, and a shift towards alternative destinations.
The new strategy proposes redirecting tourist flows towards rural areas, mountain destinations, and remote and emerging regions, aiming to ease pressure on major cities while strengthening local economies in less-visited areas.
It also places strong emphasis on year-round “soft tourism” models, including gastronomic and wine tourism, cultural tourism, cycling tourism, and renewable tourism initiatives, which are expected to reduce seasonality and generate new revenue streams.
A central pillar of the strategy is improved connectivity, with measures such as the development of night train services, strengthened air, rail and maritime networks, the creation of a unified European ticketing system, and investments in electrification infrastructure, all designed to improve access to lesser-known destinations.
Stricter rules for short-term rentals
Platforms such as Airbnb are also under scrutiny, with new rules set to take effect from May 20, 2026. The proposals include limits on rental days, classification of property owners, and zoning and licensing systems, aimed at protecting housing availability and maintaining social cohesion.
The EU is also considering tourism taxes to improve infrastructure, protect natural and cultural heritage, and support local communities.
In parallel, a European “skills card” for tourism workers is being proposed to address significant labour shortages in the sector.
Tourism remains a key pillar of the European economy, accounting for 10.5% of EU GDP and more than 12.3 million jobs.
However, growing demand makes it necessary to strike a balance between growth, sustainability and residents’ quality of life.
The proposal is not yet binding and still requires approval by the European Parliament plenary. If adopted, it will shape the EU’s new sustainable tourism strategy for years to come.
The European Union is seeking to fundamentally reshape its tourism model, prioritising sustainability, decentralisation of visitor flows, and the protection of local communities, in an effort to address one of the most pressing challenges in the travel industry today: overtourism in major destinations.
