Tourism, Travel & Mobility
Freedom of movement, something we took for granted until this past year, plays a central role in today’s increasingly connected world. For Europe, Tourism, Travel & Mobility, however, also mean economic development, employment opportunities, knowledge sharing, access to new markets and products, new consumer values, environmental awareness, and socio-cultural integration. New research findings prove that ‘know-how’ mobility is critical to economic growth. Business travel plays a key part in that process.
With the combination of leisure, culture, nature, expos and much more, Europe offers a high-quality experience to travelers throughout the globe. Small- and Medium Entrepreneurs contribute largely to the success of Europe’s touristic, travel & mobility sectors. As tour operators, restaurateurs, hoteliers, taxi drivers etc., they provide the necessary infrastructure for a thriving industry and create economic prosperity and employment opportunities in many European regions.
The mobility sector is undergoing, however, a drastic and fast-paced change. With digitalization as well as sustainability and climate change awareness, this sector needs to adjust and reflect an increasingly interconnected, environmentally sustainable world. In addition to pre-existing challenges, this sector has been hit the hardest by the COVID-19-crisis, causing a fundamental shift for the industry. To facilitate this transition, mobility needs to be an integral part of the recovery strategy.
European SMEs are ready to embrace these challenges but need the support of policymakers to survive and thrive. The Working Group Tourism, Travel & Mobility aims to be a network for stakeholders to constructively contribute to a digital, green and sustainable transition of the mobility industry in order to ensure the competitiveness, prosperity and sustainability of one of Europe’s most important sectors.
- Member of the European Parliament
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
- Committee on Transport and Tourism
- Committee on Regional Development
- S&D Group Shadow Rapporteur for the ITRE Committee on the European SME Strategy
- S&D Group Opinion Rapporteur for the TRAN Committee on Digital Services Act
Transport & Mobility Claudia Schmidt
- Councillor for Building and Construction in Salzburg 2009-2014
Member of the European Parliament 2014-2019 - Committee on Transport and Tourism
- Committee on Regional Development
Tourism, Travel
& Mobility Management: destination - recovery
The Working Group Tourism, Travel & Mobility aims to be a network for stakeholders to constructively contribute to a digital, green and sustainable transition of the mobility industry in order to ensure the competitiveness, prosperity and sustainability of one of Europe’s most important sectors.
COVID-19-Crisis: Tourism, Travel & Mobility Management – destination recovery
Due to uncertainty and the uncoordinated approach taken by Member States, SMEs have
suffered the negative impact of COVID-19 and the trust of consumers has been broken. To avoid
further damage and prepare for an optimal post-crisis recovery, a consistent and transparent
scheme of travel & mobility restrictions, hygiene and health protocols on EU-Level is necessary.
Enhancing Fair Competition & Consumers Choice
Tourism, Travel & Mobility are fundamentally built on the services and products of SMEs. To ensure competition, consumer choice and, therefore, the optimal consumer experience, SMEs need fair and open level-playing field in Europe.
Sustainability with a smart & harmonized approach
Smart Technology and Mobility, Smart Destinations and Smart Innovations must be harmonized
throughout the European Union in the sector’s transition to sustainability. An action plan including a
governance scheme with measurable sustainability criteria with clear steps needs to be defined at
European level.
Digitalization in Tourism, Travel & Mobility: Smart beyond technology, big data, & apps
With the digital transformation, new business models offer consumers individual experiences and
enhanced competition. While enhanced digitalization will increase opportunities for consumers,
particular attention is needed to ensure that traditional SMEs can transform or adjust successfully
and benefit from digitalization.
A new Travel & Mobility culture
Travel & Mobility is fundamental to modern life and a global, interconnected world. Mobility drives
us, it moves us. Tomorrow’s mobility must be need-oriented, sustainable, and make life easier and
safer. For a sustainable and resilient recovery, we must invest in the next generation of travel &
mobility infrastructure and realize a future driven by the perspectives of the travelers and the
ideas of entrepreneurs.
A true EU Tourism Strategy
The digital and green transformation are posing an existential challenge for the sector. To
successfully navigate these challenges and transform in step with the times, a harmonized EU
Tourism-Strategy is needed. This Strategy needs to define short-, medium- and long-term goals.
Additionally, Members States must communicate clear, strategic and result oriented criteria.