Ladies and gentlemen,
Unfortunately I cannot be with you in person today in Porto, but I want to thank the organizers for the invitation to join the ICCA Global Congress. This European Commission has made competitiveness a top priority. And this the first time ever that a European Commissioner has “Tourism” in the. portfolio title, a clear recognition of tourisms power to drive economic growth, create jobs, and foster social development.
Europe remains the worlds number one destination, for both tourists and business travellers. Within this vast sector, congresses and conventions play a special role. They combine long-distance travel, urban mobility, hospitality, and a wide range of services. In doing so, they generate significant benefits for the wider tourism ecosystem and for local economies. When exhibitions thrive, local businesses flourish. For Europes business travellers, accommodation represents the largest share of travel spending, followed by food, refreshments, and air transport. But visitors also spend in shops and at cultural attractions. This underlines the importance of designing congresses and exhibitions as holistic experiences, ones that reflect the unique culture and character of the host city. Such events not only benefit visitors and residents alike but also strengthen the global reputation of our destinations.
We should also make the most of corporates combined purchasing power, to improve facilities and services for all travellers. As Commissioner for both Sustainable Transport and Tourism, I see enormous potential in connecting these two sectors. For example, we can encourage more business travellers to embrace multimodal travel. Combining different transport modes not only reduces emissions but can also make travel more efficient, helping passengers save time or use it more productively. To make this easier, we are preparing a Multimodal Digital Mobility Services Regulation, which will allow intermediaries to offer seamless multimodal journeys. In parallel, a Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation will simplify how we purchase travel across Europe. And I am counting on corporate standards and on the meetings and conventions sector to help boost demand for sustainable travel and tourism services.
I am also confident that your own congress venues can become models of sustainability. Sustainable practices protect our environment, but they also build trust with local communities, showing that we are partners working together, for the long term.
As you probably know, we recently launched a consultation on the future European Tourism Strategy, and I would like to thank ICCA for its valuable contribution. The challenges and opportunities linked to business travel will certainly feature prominently in this Strategy, the first ever European Strategy for Tourism. Our goal is to balance economic growth with local well-being, to reduce the environmental footprint of tourism, preserve our cultural heritage, promote responsible traveller behaviour, and ensure that the EUs regulatory and financial strength benefits our destinations, local businesses, and the European tourism brand.
Ladies and gentlemen,
You have my full support admiration. The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector is known for its long-term vision and demanding standards, both essential drivers of high-quality tourism in Europe. Please continue to make the most of your position, and keep pushing boundaries through your innovation and commitment. I wish you an inspiring and successful congress.
Thank you.
