Green Transition in Travel – How Does the EU's Green Transition Programme Support Tourists?

Saturday, 20 September 2025 12:01

The European Union's Green Transition programme might initially sound like regulations, directives, and dry EU reports to many. However, the goal is far more tangible: creating a tourism environment where visitors can make decisions based on truly transparent information and feel confident that their choices contribute to a more sustainable future. From autumn 2026, this will no longer be just a recommendation but a mandatory practice across EU member states, ensuring tourists everywhere can plan their trips based on reliable and comparable data. The programme not only sets requirements for destinations and service providers but also enriches the everyday experiences of tourists.

Transparent Information and Real Data

One of the greatest advantages of the Green Transition is the end of vague promises and the much-discussed 'greenwashing.' In the future, every accommodation, attraction, and hospitality venue will need to publish credible, measurable data on how they manage energy, water, or waste, as well as their carbon footprint. For tourists, this means no more guessing how eco-friendly a provider truly is: decisions can be based on real, comparable figures. If a green label appears somewhere, it represents documented and verified performance, not just marketing.

Digital Tools for Conscious Choices

The Green Transition is also making more digital tools available to travellers. Sustainability indicators will not only appear in background expert spreadsheets but also on user-friendly platforms like tourism dashboards or trip planning apps. This allows guests to not only see the scores of a hotel or attraction but also filter options based on their own values. It is becoming increasingly possible, for instance, to plan a trip that contributes to climate protection, gender equality, or supporting the local economy. Tourism can thus become a personal mission, where values play a role alongside experiences.

Trust in Community Responsibility

Transparency doesn't stop at environmental indicators. The EU's objectives also include ensuring that tourists can be confident their choices not only protect nature but also strengthen local communities. The Green Transition also encompasses the promotion of human rights, fair work, and community involvement. It will become increasingly visible how a destination provides job opportunities for locals, protects cultural heritage, or involves residents in tourism planning. This awareness takes visitor trust to a new level.

Thanks to the mandatory rules coming into effect in 2026, travel will become a much more conscious experience for tourists. No more guessing how sustainable an accommodation or attraction is, as all providers will publicly share key environmental and social indicators. Guests will be able to filter offers based on their own values using digital tools and can be confident that their choices not only protect nature but also support local communities. The Green Transition thus marks a new era in European tourism: creating real value alongside the holiday experience, for both visitors and destinations.