On March 20, 2025, the European Parliament held a pivotal discussion on sustainable travel and tourism. Organized by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Travalyst, and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders. The goal was clear: how can the travel sector thrive while supporting the EU’s ambitious sustainability targets?
Hosted by Croatian MEP Nikolina Brnjac, the event highlighted the need for the tourism industry to stay competitive while aligning with the EU’s decarbonization efforts. Brnjac, a key member of the EU Transport Committee and Tourism Task Force, stressed the importance of balanced regulations. “We must support European tourism businesses to lead in sustainability without losing global competitiveness,” she said.
Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, emphasized the role of corporate travel managers in driving green practices. With €400 billion spent annually on business travel, she urged EU policymakers to work with the industry to create common sustainability standards.
Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, praised Europe’s leadership in sustainability regulation. “Travel is a global sector,” she said. “Our efforts to decarbonize must be aligned worldwide.”
Virginia Messina from WTTC echoed this call for collaboration. She urged EU policymakers and the private sector to work together on policies that balance sustainability and competitiveness.
The discussion focused on three key goals
Balancing Decarbonization and Competitiveness: The EU must reduce emissions without harming the travel sector’s economic viability.
Global Alignment of Standards: The EU aims to create consistent sustainability standards to guide travelers and support global policy efforts.
Supporting Green Travel Options: Stronger incentives and investments, like the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, are needed to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The GBTA, Travalyst, and WTTC called for ongoing dialogue with the industry to ensure sustainable travel benefits both businesses and the planet.
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