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Apostolos Tzitzikostas (second from right), EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, speaks during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, where he outlined upcoming EU strategies for maritime transport, ports, and tourism.
The European Union is set to unveil two new strategies for shipping and ports in February, as part of a broader push to strengthen competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience across transport and tourism, according to EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
Speaking at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Tzitzikostas outlined the policy priorities under his portfolio, which spans transport infrastructure, aviation, ports, shipping, industry and tourism.
He stressed that environmental protection and sustainability remain central pillars of EU policy, alongside the need to reinforce competitiveness in an increasingly volatile international environment marked by geopolitical risk, environmental pressures and intensifying global competition.
Shipping and ports at the core of the EU’s Blue Economy agenda
The forthcoming strategies for shipping and ports are expected to build on the EU’s wider approach to the Blue Economy, which Tzitzikostas described as a “critical foundation” for Europe’s economic resilience. He underlined that maritime activities extend beyond geography, supporting jobs, connectivity and supply chains across the continent.
According to the commissioner, European maritime transport generates approximately 62 billion euros in added value and 228 billion euros in annual turnover across the EU.
EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas outlines policy priorities on sustainability and competitiveness for Europe’s transport and tourism sectors.
Tzitzikostas also referred to last year’s EU Oceans Pact, noting that ocean and blue economy policies are increasingly linked to competitiveness, security and resilience. Against this backdrop, he said the EU is redesigning its transport policy framework to respond to a new era of heightened environmental risks and tougher global competition.
Managing tourism pressures through a new EU strategy
Tourism featured as a related policy area during the discussions, particularly in the context of uneven recovery and mounting pressure on popular destinations.
Tzitzikostas noted that overnight stays in official accommodation across the EU exceeded 3 billion in 2025, 7 percent higher than in 2019.
“While some destinations are still recovering from the pandemic, others face excessive concentration and strain, creating imbalances that risk undermining long-term competitiveness and social acceptance,” he said.
A new EU-wide tourism strategy focused on sustainability and better management of tourist pressure is expected in April, EU Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas says.
The commissioner argued that Europe must shift from a model focused primarily on destination promotion to one that enables destinations to actively manage tourism flows for the benefit of both visitors and local communities.
Addressing these challenges will be a key priority of the EU’s new tourism strategy, set to be presented in April, the first unified strategy of its kind at European level.
According to Tzitzikostas, the strategy will support destinations through guidance, innovation, and funding tools, including InvestEU, the European Regional Development Fund, and Horizon Europe, with a focus on social sustainability and the role of small and medium-sized enterprises.
In addition to his public engagements, the commissioner also participated in closed discussions at Davos on the future of global tourism and the evolving role of airports.
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