Austria launches initiative for “Tourism Checks” in EU legislation
Brussels/Warsaw – To better utilize the potential of tourism, Austria, together with 15 other EU member states, is advocating for the introduction of a “Tourism Check” in EU projects. The aim is to “strengthen tourism at the European level and give it the importance it needs,” said Secretary of State Elisabeth Zehetner-Piewald (ÖVP) to journalists before the meeting of the responsible EU ministers on Tuesday in Warsaw.
Legislative matters such as consumer protection, corporate, or environmental law would all affect tourism, the Secretary of State in the Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy, and Tourism stated. “That’s why we need a Tourism Check for all legislative initiatives at the EU level,” the Austrian official demands. Tourism must be considered everywhere. With the non-paper introduced by Austria regarding the future of European tourism policy, a strong alliance has now been forged: Already 15 member states supported the call for a stronger strategic anchoring of tourism at the EU level, according to the Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy, and Tourism.
Zehetner stated that she wants to hand the paper to the responsible EU Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas. A future-ready tourism policy requires European cooperation, the Secretary of State continued: “Only if we position ourselves strategically together can we make tourism more resilient, sustainable, and competitive. Our goal is clear: The economic and social significance of tourism must finally receive the visibility it deserves at the EU level.”
Local rates should be possible
Tourism is a pillar of our economy, especially in Austria, the Secretary of State said. However, when traveling, the acceptance of the population is also needed: Tourism is increasingly seen as a burden. That’s why it is so important to “establish our tourism in a social and sustainable manner and thereby increase the acceptance of the population.” A regulation that prevents this is the Geo-blocking Regulation, as it “for example, makes local rates impossible.”
The so-called Geo-blocking Regulation aims to prevent unjustified geo-blocking and other forms of discrimination when purchasing goods or services based on residence, nationality, or establishment. According to Zehetner, local rates are an important area to ensure that “the local population also benefits and has relief when visiting museums, at the beach, or when taking the cable car, making it cheaper for the local population,” and thus tourism is better accepted. (23.06.2025)
