A Destination’s Guide to the New EU Sustainability Regulations

The European Travel Commission (ETC) and the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) have released a white paper, “A Destination’s Guide to the New EU Sustainability Regulations”. This guide aims to help destinations in the tourism industry navigate significant upcoming regulatory changes. Being prepared helps Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) ensure sustainability compliance, reduce negative environmental impacts, mitigate reputational damage, achieve financial and legal immunity, and create new business opportunities.

The new directives — the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGTD), and the Green Claims Directive (GCD) — will require greater transparency, accountability, and stricter management of sustainability claims, reshaping how destination management organisations operate and communicate their environmental impacts. These regulations apply not only to destinations and businesses within Europe, but to any organisation operating in the EU market, including global accommodation platforms and digital intermediaries.

The white paper highlights three key actions:

• Understanding the roles and responsibilities involved in complying with the new EU directives.

• Aligning with the regulations, marketing claims, and destination management strategies.

• Tackling the risks of non-compliance and the opportunities of early adoption, such as improved reputation, new funding channels, and enhanced visitor trust.

Read the news article here.