The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the Destination Europe Summit 2025, held the 6th of February 2025 in Brussels organized by the European Travel Commission (ETC), with Booking.com as Lead Partner. The event brought together tourism professionals, policymakers, and sustainability experts to discuss key trends and challenges shaping the future of tourism in Europe.
EU Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, outlined a vision for the future of sustainable tourism in Europe and beyond during his address. His remarks highlighted the role of sustainability in enhancing the resilience and long-term competitiveness of the tourism sector, emphasizing key priorities for the years ahead.
He announced the European Commission’s commitment to placing sustainability at the heart of the upcoming EU Tourism Strategy, set for release in Q1 2026. This strategy will be shaped through extensive stakeholder consultation and will drive key transformations in the sector, including:
- Sustainable Tourism as a Priority
- Training & Skills Development
- Digital Innovation & AI for SMEs
- Improved Destination Management & Travel Flow Strategies
- Branding Europe as a Safe & Sustainable Destination
- Simplified & Accessible Funding for SMEs
The strategy will also integrate sustainability into transport and travel infrastructure, covering:
- Single Digital Booking & Ticketing for seamless multimodal travel
- Cross-Border Car Rental Simplification
- Enhanced Passenger Rights & Protections
Dr. Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Director for the Mediterranean Region, represented GSTC at the event, emphasizing the crucial role of sustainability standards, accredited certification, and destination management in achieving the EU’s ambitious goals. The GSTC Criteria provides a practical framework for implementing sustainability across tourism businesses and destinations, ensuring that Europe’s tourism future is not only competitive but also responsible.
GSTC Accreditation is a mark of quality placed on certification bodies (CBs) that opt for GSTC’s independent and impartial process to ensure they certify businesses, such as hotels, tour operators, or destinations, in a competent and unbiased manner. Being ‘GSTC-Accredited’ means that the CB conducts certification in accordance with processes compliant with international standards and best practices. It stands as the most dependable means to ensure confidence and credibility in sustainable tourism certification.
“The upcoming new EU Tourism strategy will mark a significant step forward in reinforcing sustainability as the backbone of European tourism. Supporting SMEs, destinations, and tourism businesses in their green transition will be key in creating a tourism model that benefits communities, protects cultural and natural heritage, and ensures long-term resilience,” highlighted Dr. Pappas.
A sincere appreciation to Euronews, the European Travel Commission (ETC), and all participants for an engaging and insightful event. Collaborative efforts remain essential in advancing a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive future for European tourism.
If you missed the Destination Europe Summit 2025 catch all the highlights on Euronews’s video below:
