Tzitzikostas, new European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism

23-09-24

• The Tourism and Society Think Tank, through its president, Antonio Santos del Valle, congratulated him on his recent appointment. 

Apostolos Tzitzikostas has been appointed European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, a responsibility that comes at a crucial time for the European Union (EU). This appointment marks a significant milestone for the EU strategy, which seeks to effectively integrate two key sectors for the continent's economic and environmental future: transport and sustainable tourism. The European Commission has expressed its firm commitment to the fight against climate change and the development of more responsible and efficient tourism, so Tzitzikostas' leadership will be essential to the fulfillment of these objectives.

Tzitzikostas, who previously served as Governor of the Central Macedonia Region in Greece, has been an active advocate of sustainable policies and has worked closely with European institutions for regional development. His experience gives him a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the EU in terms of mobility, tourism and sustainability.

In his new role, the commissioner is tasked with coordinating initiatives to promote the decarbonization of transport and tourism, two sectors responsible for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. In particular, the European Commission is emphasizing electric mobility, the use of clean energies and the creation of infrastructures that facilitate travel without harming the environment.

Tzitzikostas has indicated that his mandate will focus on achieving the goals of the European Green Pact, an ambitious roadmap that aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This involves promoting more sustainable modes of transport, encouraging the use of public transport and renewable energy, as well as supporting the tourism industry in its transition to more environmentally friendly practices.

Tourism is one of Europe's economic pillars, representing an important source of employment and growth. However, it is also one of the industries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and one of the major contributors to this problem due to the high emissions generated by air transport and the large volumes of waste produced by tourism activity.

One of the main challenges for Tzitzikostas will be to reduce the environmental impact of tourism, especially in highly visited destinations, which often face problems of overcrowding and overexploitation of natural resources. It is expected that, under his mandate, the EU will continue to advance initiatives that promote quality tourism, rather than quantity, prioritizing respect for the environment and the well-being of local communities.

The success of sustainable transport and tourism policies will depend to a large extent on cooperation between Member States. Each country has its own challenges in terms of infrastructure, mobility and tourism regulation, which will require effective coordination to achieve harmonization of policies at the European level.

In this regard, Tzitzikostas will play a key role in facilitating dialogue between the different national governments and European institutions. In addition, he will have to work closely with the private sector to encourage investment in sustainable mobility projects and in technological innovation to make means of transport more efficient.