Daniel Attard Presents Sustainable Tourism Report To Broad Cross-Party Support

Labour MEP Daniel Attard has presented his report on sustainable tourism to the European Parliament, securing broad support from across the political groups and positive feedback from the European Commission.

This strong response reflects how Malta’s priorities are gaining recognition in Brussels.

The report examines the specific challenges and opportunities faced by island and peripheral regions such as Malta, focusing on connectivity, balanced tourism development, community wellbeing, and better protection for workers in the tourism sector.

A central theme of the report is the importance of connectivity for island states. Attard emphasised that for countries like Malta, connectivity is not an optional extra but a core driver of economic stability.

The report calls for greater flexibility in rules affecting national airlines, stronger investment in clean transport and essential maritime services, safeguards against over reliance on private carriers, and improved transport links for both residents and the tourism industry.

Attard also underlined the need for tourism growth that respects local communities and the environment.

Key proposals include enforceable rules on short term rental platforms, better planning tools to manage pressure in high demand areas, and a legislative push to phase out plastics in the tourism sector.

Workers in the industry receive significant attention in the report. Attard highlights the widespread skills shortages and uneven working conditions across Europe.

He proposes a European agenda for upskilling and reskilling, an EU Tourism Skills Card to support mobility and safeguard working conditions, and greater investment in training through EU programmes.

The report also recognises the invaluable role of volunteers who help preserve cultural heritage. It calls for a European framework to support cultural volunteers, a European Fund for Intangible Heritage, and stronger backing for community led cultural initiatives.

Attard said the report offers a practical European vision for sustainable tourism that reflects the realities of small island states. The report will now proceed to the next stages in the European Parliament and is expected to inform the Commission’s upcoming strategy on sustainable tourism, due next year.

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