The European Parliament has adopted its resolution on the future of the EU Tourism Strategy, including a number of points relevant to nautical tourism and recreational boating. The text recognises specialised tourism, including nautical tourism, as an area with potential for peripheral, rural and outermost regions and links its growth to investment in the necessary infrastructure.

A key result for the sector is Parliament’s support for follow-up on mutual recognition of boating licences. The resolution calls on the EU Commission to build on its recent study and propose a regulatory measure to facilitate the mobility of recreational boat operators. This is an important step on one of the most persistent barriers affecting boaters and boating businesses across Europe.

The report also addresses the sector in the context of the clean transition. Parliament refers to the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan and states that support for sustainable fuels in waterborne transport should include the existing fleet of leisure boats. In addition, the final text recognises maritime and nautical practices such as sailing, alongside craftsmanship, in relation to future support for intangible cultural heritage.

The vote is an important political signal ahead of the EU Commission’s forthcoming Tourism Strategy and reflects several priorities EBI has been advancing in recent months, including cross-border mobility for boaters, support for the transition of the existing fleet and recognition of boating as part of Europe’s tourism offer and cultural heritage.