The European People’s Party (EPP) hosted a seminar in Malta, organised by the EPP Group in the Committee of Regions (EPP-CoR), under the theme “Driving Sustainability Forward: Rethinking Transport and Tourism to Ensure Competitive Cities and Regions.” The event took place at Dar Ċentrali, with discussions focusing on sustainable transport and tourism development across Europe.

Partit Nazzjonalista (PN) leader Bernard Grech opened the seminar, highlighting the importance of sustainability in shaping Europe’s future. He stressed the need for policies that promote teleworking, reduce congestion and emissions, and support environmentally-friendly transport infrastructure. Grech also called for tourism models that respect local communities and the environment.

Keynote speaker Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP-CoR Group and West Pomerania Region, outlined three main priorities for addressing tourism and transport challenges: managing overcrowding in tourist destinations, improving infrastructure in rural and urban areas, and fostering cooperation at regional and European levels.

PN Shadow Minister for Tourism Mario de Marco proposed several measures to enhance tourism, including conducting carrying capacity studies, boosting investment in tourist areas, and updating regulations to align with current demands.

The seminar provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss strategies to balance economic growth with environmental and community sustainability in tourism and transport.