MEPs have overwhelmingly approved the European Parliament’s position on the EU’s upcoming sustainable tourism strategy, concludeorsing a wide-ranging resolution that places particular emphasis on regulating short-term rentals and strengthening labour mobility and regional connectivity.
The report, led by rapporteur Daniel Attard, was adopted on Tuesday with 439 votes in favour, 42 against and 129 abstentions, and sets out Parliament’s expectations ahead of the European Commission’s long-delayed proposal, now expected on 24 June.
Speaking after the vote, Attard described the text as a “strong report” with “ambitious and unprecedented tarobtains,” highlighting in particular its approach to short-term rental regulation, skills development and transport connectivity across the EU.
A key political message from the resolution is the push for EU-level action on short-term accommodation platforms. MEPs are calling on the commission to establish a clear distinction between commercial operators running large-scale rental businesses and individuals who occasionally let out a second property.
Attard underlined that the parliament is placing a clear obligation on the commission to address this gap in regulation, arguing that existing frameworks do not adequately reflect the rapid growth and diversification of the short-term rental market across member states. The proposal aims to ensure more consistent EU-wide rules while responding to mounting pressure on hoapplying in tourism-intensive cities.
The resolution also introduces support for a European “tourism skills card,” designed to standardise qualifications across the sector and improve labour mobility. Attard declared the initiative would be further developed through an EU-level tourism academy, intconcludeed to assist address chronic labour shortages in hospitality and related services.
On connectivity, MEPs are calling for stronger transport links between regions, including expanded rail services and the development of night trains, as well as improved maritime connections. The report stresses that tourism growth should be more evenly distributed, rather than concentrated in a limited number of hotspots.
Environmental measures are also included, with parliament urging the commission to address gaps in rules on single-utilize plastics in the hospitality sector, where usage remains widespread despite existing EU legislation.
The commission’s sustainable tourism strategy has been delayed several times, with adoption now expected in late June following broader adjustments to its legislative timetable.
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