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Decarbonisation of Europe's tourism future depends on getting mobility right
The European Commission is developing its first European Tourism Strategy, and BUas played host to the debate about what it should contain in terms of mobility. On 9 June, Breda University of Applied Sciences welcomed policymakers, researchers, educators and industry professionals from across Europe for the third edition of the European Sustainable Tourism Mobility Forum, in what marked a landmark occasion for the university: a video message from the sitting EU Commissioner, three representatives from the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) and a former EU Commissioner all present at a single BUas event.
BUas at the heart of Europe's skills agenda
EU Commissioner for Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas opened the forum with the announcement that the strategy will be presented later this year. It will address sustainability, digitalisation, resilience and competitiveness, and includes plans for a new European Tourism Skills Academy. With its academic expertise in sustainable tourism and transport and strong ties to European policy networks and industry, BUas is well positioned to contribute to this initiative and help shape what that academy becomes.
From silo thinking to system change
Panel discussions explored the growing urgency of aligning tourism and transport planning. Alongside the DG MOVE delegation, speakers from Deutsche Bahn, the European Metropolitan Transport Authorities, the European Cyclists' Federation and the cities of Rome and Barcelona highlighted both progress and persistent barriers. International rail travel in Europe reached a record 25 million passengers last year — nearly 30% above pre-pandemic levels — yet high costs, fragmented ticketing and infrastructure gaps continue to hold back the modal shift from air to rail.
Growth is no longer the measure of success
Denise Auclair (Transport & Environment) underlined the structural challenges: aviation remains the fastest-growing source of emissions in the EU, while tourism-driven housing cost pressures are rising across Southern Europe. Her message was clear — growth alone is no longer the measure of success.
The road ahead
Nina Nesterova, Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Transport at BUas and lead organiser of the forum, reflected on the day's outcomes: "There is growing consensus that tourism mobility must become a recognised priority at every level of governance. Europe has promising examples to build on — but we also need to invest in the next generation of professionals who can drive this transition forward. BUas is ready to play its part."
The forum was co-hosted with Provincie Noord-Brabant, and organised in partnership with the European Travel Commission, NECSTouR, POLIS Network, CELTH, and ETOA.
