“Tourism is part of Europe’s identity, and with this opinion, we in the Balearic Islands invite the other regions to join us in embarking together on the path of transforming tourism—towards sustainability, resilience, and the well-being of all Europeans.” Margarita Prohens Rigo (ES/EPP), President of the Balearic Islands Government, made these remarks when presenting her opinion Towards sustainable and resilient tourism in the European Union: Strategy for balanced and adaptive management. The opinion was prepared on the own initiative of the Balearic Islands, with the aim that the regions represented in the European Committee of the Regions contribute together, and decisively, to the forthcoming EU tourism strategy expected in the coming months.
In her intervention, Prohens Rigo stressed that success in the tourism sector can no longer be measured only in numbers. “Having more visitors, more hotel beds or more flights is not a synonym of success. We see it in regions where high tourist demand does not always translate into prosperity for all. The time has come to move from growth in volume to growth in value—economic, social and environmental.” She also underlined the importance of considering the regional environment when shaping tourism policy: “The regional environment must define tourism, and not the other way around. Until now, we have allowed tourism to shape our destinations. Now we must invert this relationship: we must foster environments of innovation, culture and knowledge that define the tourism we want.”
She further addressed the specific challenges faced by islands due to the environmental impact of tourism: “In unique territories such as islands, the pressure on resources and environmental fragility demand differentiated policies. That is why we call for an insularity clause in the European tourism strategy, to adapt cohesion, transport and innovation policies to the specific needs of Europe’s island territories.”
Key proposals of the opinion
The opinion underlines that tourism must be recognised not only for its short-term economic contribution but as a structural force shaping the sustainability, resilience, and identity of Europe’s regions. It highlights the need for tailored strategies addressing the distinct realities of islands, coastal, rural, and mountain areas—territories where the pressures of seasonality, concentrated visitor flows, or depopulation are particularly acute. Local and regional authorities are called upon to take the lead in adopting systemic, place-based approaches that balance tourism with territorial diversity, integrating regulation, interregional cooperation, and innovation. It also calls for tourism to be embedded within the EU Green Deal. Regions are encouraged to advance circular economy practices in energy, water, waste, food, and mobility systems, ensuring that tourism becomes an engine for wider ecological and social resilience.
The opinion also reinforces the central role of communities and residents in shaping tourism’s future. Local and regional governments are urged to establish participatory councils, deploy data-driven governance, and manage demand intelligently through tools such as visitor caps, variable pricing, and predictive models to reduce overcrowding and safeguard quality of life. It recommends stricter regulation of short-term tourist rentals, coupled with adaptive housing schemes to protect affordability and social cohesion. Finally, it advocates for new fiscal frameworks with targeted tourist taxes, dynamic pricing, and public–private partnerships to reinvest in sustainable infrastructure. By anchoring tourism governance at the local and regional level, the opinion ensures that the transformation towards sustainability and resilience remains rooted in territorial realities and in the well-being of residents.
Next steps
The opinion, adopted by the NAT Commission, will now be discussed and set for adoption at the Plenary on 10–11 December 2025.
The European Commission has already launched a public consultation and a call for evidence to gather input from citizens, travellers, and tourism stakeholders on the forthcoming EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy.