European Tourism

DiscoverEU - background guide

The European Commission launched on 7 November a new application round for DiscoverEU travel passes, which allows participants to travel across Europe, learn about its cultural heritage, whilst developing their own knowledge and skills.

Free EU travel passes for 20,000 young people next summer

18-year-olds in the EU have until 28 November to apply for the latest round of DiscoverEU travel passes, launched Thursday, which give them the opportunity to travel across Europe for free.

EU, UN and Smurfs help clean up world's beaches

EU staff joined hands with local communities, and the Smurfs, on beaches across Europe and the world on Thursday, as part of the #EUBeachCleanUp campaign to clean up marine litter.

EU Beach Clean Up 2019

Every year millions of tons of trash end up in the ocean. By 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the sea. Therefore, the European Union, the United Nations and the Smurfs are teaming up. For clean oceans and clean beaches. EU and UN offices all across the world will organise beach cleanup events together with local organisations, schools, etc.

Airbnb decides to conform to EU consumer rules

Following its negotiations with Airbnb, the EU Commission announced Thursday that the accommodation platform had improved and 'fully clarified' the way it presents offers to consumers.

EU's Emergency Travel Document ready for take-off

EU ministers gave final approval Wednesday to consular protection for unrepresented EU citizens in third countries by simplifying the issuing of safe and widely accepted emergency travel documents.

EU issues 20,000 more euro-travel passes for 18-yr-olds

18-year-olds in the EU have until 16 May to apply for 20,000 DiscoverEU travel passes, the Commission announced Thursday, for the opportunity to explore Europe between 1 August and 31 January.

States confirm update of EU's common visa policy

EU states confirmed a plan to modernise the EU's common visa policy Wednesday, adapting the rules to growing security concerns, the challenges of migration and new opportunities offered by technological developments.

Free ticket for 18-yr-olds in EU to discover Europe

Following the success of the first round of DiscoverEU, the Commission announced Wednesday it will launch a second competition for free tickets for students to travel around Europe on 29 November.

European Youth Portal - Information and opportunities for young people across Europe

The European Youth Portal offers European and national information and opportunities that are of interest to young people who are living, learning and working in Europe. It provides information around eight main themes, covers 35 countries and is available in 28 languages.

DiscoverEU - background guide

On 29 November 2018, the European Commission opened the second round of DiscoverEU, with over 12,000 free tickets for 18 year-olds in the EU to travel in Europe.

Brussels warns Airbnb over pricing policy

The EU Commission and consumer authorities called on online accommodation marketplace Airbnb Monday to align its terms and conditions with EU consumer rules and to be transparent on pricing.

Indonesian airlines removed from EU blacklist

The Commission cleared all Indonesian air carriers from the EU Air Safety list Thursday, as it introduced a warning system for air traffic controllers to prevent unsafe aircraft entering European airspace.

New EU consular protection rules come into force

From 1 May, EU citizens living or travelling outside the EU will get better benefit from consular protection in case of need, where their country of origin is not represented in the non-EU country they visit.

Consular protection for European Union citizens abroad

Under EU law, as an "unrepresented EU citizen", you're entitled to help from any other EU Member State's embassy or consulate - under the same conditions as this EU country helps its own nationals. This website aims to provide you with general information about the right of unrepresented EU citizens to consular protection in third countries under the same conditions as the nationals of that EU country. It also helps you to find out whether your national state has an embassy or consulate in a given third country or territory. If you do not have an embassy or consulate in the country or territory where you are, it provides you with the contact details of embassies and consulates of other Member States that you might wish to contact to seek assistance.

Northern European cities offer best living conditions: report

Copenhagen and Bern offer the best living standards in the world for expatriates, according to a survey of the best and worst cities for air pollution, transport, personal security and cultural barriers.

Brussels updates EU Air Safety List

The Commission updated the EU Air Safety List of non-European airlines that do not meet international safety standards Thursday, adding Venezuela's Avior Airlines to the list of banned airlines.

The Escape Industry: How Iconic and Innovative Brands Built the Travel Business

The Escape Industry, by Mark Tungate, explores the evolution of the travel industry and the lessons we can take away from some of the world's leading brands. He explores the origins of these companies, and asks what it is that has enabled them to thrive, whilst others have failed and disappeared. The book explores the beginnings of some of travel's most iconic brands, including Thomas Cook, AirBnB, The Ritz, Lastminute.com, British Airways and Ryanair. Studded with exclusive interviews and alive with incidents and anecdotes, The Escape Industry takes readers on a journey into the past, and the future, of a fascinating industry in a way that will appeal to business leaders, marketers, travel industry professionals and anyone who has an interest in travel as a consumer.

EU Tourism Policy

EU policy aims to maintain Europe's standing as a leading destination while maximising the industry's contribution to growth and employment and promoting cooperation between EU countries, particularly through the exchange of good practice. The EU's competence in the tourism is one of support and coordination to supplement the actions of member countries.

Europeans start to roam like at home

Europeans are aware of new EU mobile roaming rules and have started changing their habits when travelling abroad, a survey conducted after the first summer without the charges shows.

MEPs greenlight online films and TV while abroad

The European Parliament gave the green light Thursday to new rules enabling EU citizens with subscriptions for online films and TV series to access this content while temporarily in another EU country.

Screening of comparison websites in the travel sector

While it becomes more and more common to book hotels and flights online, consumers are encountering a growing number of problems with online travel services. These services are now among the most frequent consumer complaints according to the European Consumer Centres.

Online hotel booking under EU scrutiny

The European Commission and ten national competition authorities published a report on competition in the online hotel booking sector Thursday, highlighting the impact of antitrust enforcement measures.

Action Plan to tackle travel document fraud

The European Commission adopted on December 8 an Action Plan setting out concrete measures to improve the security of travel documents. The Action Plan provides clear recommendations for EU Member States to tackle the phenomenon of travel document fraud and outlines a comprehensive set of actions for the Commission to take. Travel document security is an important factor in the fight against terrorism and organised crime and contributes to improving border protection and migration management, paving a way towards an effective and genuine Security Union.

High standards for Europe's bathing water

Forty years after the first Bathing Water Directive was introduced, the EU's annual bathing water report show the standards of Europe's bathing water continuing to improve.