Apostolos Tzitzikostas to unveil first unified EU tourism policy

European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas has announced that the first unified European tourism policy will be presented on November 4. The announcement was made during his visit to Malta, where he served as a keynote speaker at the annual World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) summit in Valletta.

During the visit, Tzitzikostas held bilateral meetings with Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and other high-ranking officials, including the Vice President of the Government, the Minister of Tourism, and the Minister of Transport. Discussions focused on EU transport policy, island connectivity, maritime safety, and the competitiveness of ports.

In his speech, titled ‘The Future of Europe – Redefining Tourism’, the Commissioner highlighted the strategic importance of the sector for the EU. He noted that in Malta, tourism supports nearly 20% of total employment, a pattern reflected across the European Union. The maritime sector remains a vital economic driver for Malta, contributing approximately 14% to 15% of its GDP.