On 25 March 2021, a resolution on establishing an EU strategy for sustainable tourism was adopted by 577 votes to 31, and 80 abstentions.
Tourism and travel sectors account for almost 10% of the EU's GDP and the COVID-19 outbreak has put 6 out of 27 million jobs at risk. To address such a critical situation, the resolution does not only suggest to temporarily reduce VAT on these services, but also urges them to implement common European traveling conditions through the Digital Green Certificate.
On the long term, the sanitary crisis is expected to launch a transition to a more 'sustainable, responsible and smart tourism', as well as a rethinking process aiming to plan the future of the industry.
As part of this rethinking process, sport and sporting events have been highlighted as opportunities for the tourism sector:
63. Points out the major contribution of sport to European tourism and highlights the opportunities arising from sporting events and activities, while not forgetting the importance of improving the sustainability of major events;