The EU Parliament discusses sustainable travel and tourism with GBTA, Travalyst and WTTC – Travel And Tour World

On March 20, 2025, the European Parliament hosted a critical discussion on the future of sustainable travel and tourism in Europe.

The event, organized by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Travalyst, and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to explore how the travel and tourism sector can continue to thrive while advancing the EU’s ambitious sustainability goals.

Hosted by Croatian MEP Nikolina Brnjac, the event underscored the importance of ensuring that the tourism sector remains competitive while aligning with the EU’s decarbonisation efforts.

The conversation focused on innovative green technologies, policy frameworks, and international collaboration necessary for sustainable travel.

Brnjac, a key member of the EU Transport Committee and Tourism Task Force, emphasized the need for balanced regulations that support European tourism businesses without hindering competitiveness.

She stated, “It is our duty to find a balanced solution… to support European tourism businesses to lead in sustainability and remain competitive globally.”

Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, highlighted the significant role of corporate travel managers in driving sustainable practices.

With nearly €400 billion spent annually on business travel, Neufang stressed the potential to influence the broader travel market, advocating for EU policymakers to collaborate with the industry to develop common sustainability standards.

Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, praised Europe’s leadership in setting a global standard for sustainability regulation, underscoring the need for coordinated action to align sustainability efforts across the globe.

She stated, “Travel is a truly global sector… our work to decarbonise and grow sustainably must be aligned.”

Virginia Messina from WTTC echoed these sentiments, calling for close collaboration between the private sector and EU policymakers to create effective, proportionate policies that support both sustainability and competitiveness.

She acknowledged Europe’s leadership but called for continued efforts to ensure that the sector remains globally competitive while adhering to sustainability principles.

The event also addressed key areas of focus for the EU as it navigates its legislative agenda for a sustainable future.

Participants agreed on three main goals:

1. Balancing Decarbonisation with Competitiveness: The EU must strike the right balance between reducing carbon emissions and maintaining competitiveness in the travel sector. The European Green Deal has set a strong foundation, but continued efforts are required to ensure that industry transitions to more sustainable practices without compromising economic viability.
2. Aligning EU Standards with Global Efforts: The EU is working to establish new standards that accurately inform travelers about the sustainability characteristics of their travel options. Consistency in these standards is critical for a global travel market, where credible, harmonized data supports impactful policy and investment decisions.
3. Supporting Sustainable Travel Options: To reach climate neutrality by 2050, the travel and tourism sector requires stronger incentives and support to deploy sustainable travel solutions. Key initiatives such as the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan and advancements in multimodal travel options will facilitate the sector’s transition to more sustainable practices.

As the EU moves forward with these policy initiatives, the GBTA, Travalyst, and WTTC have called for regular dialogue with the industry to ensure that sustainable travel options are promoted in a way that benefits both businesses and the environment.