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Environmental impact of the tourism ecosystem in EU destinations

Data

21 August 2024

Environmental impact of the tourism ecosystem in EU destinations

Adventure tourism

Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

Cultural tourism

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According to statistics, the average greenhouse gas emissions from the tourism ecosystem in EU countries increased from 48 to 64 tonnes CO2-eq/million EUR between 2019 and 2021, with Estonia, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Netherlands contributing the most.

Publishing org

European Commission

Topics
Geographical descriptors

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

EU-27

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Organisation Type

Academic / Research and VET Institutions

Company with 250 or more employees

Consumer Organisations

Cultural and Heritage Organisations

Destination Management & Marketing Organisations

EU Institutions

Financial Institutions and Investors

Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce

International Organisations

Local Authorities

Media / Journalist Organisations

National authorities

Networks and Federations / Confederations

NGOs / Non-profits

Regional Authorities

SMEs (a company with less than 250 employees)

Trade Unions

  • Specific types of tourism

    • Adventure tourism

    • Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

    • Cultural tourism

    • Ecotourism

    • Education tourism

    • Festival tourism

    • Gastronomy tourism

    • Health and medical tourism

    • MICE tourism

    • Mountain tourism

    • Religious tourism

    • Rural tourism

    • Sports tourism

    • Urban/city tourism

    • Wellness tourism

  • Transition Pathway Strategic Areas

    • Coordinated information on travelling

    • Improving statistics and indicators

    • Innovative tourism services

  • Business activities

    • Activities of amusement parks and theme parks

    • Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks

    • Events catering and other food services

    • Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities

    • Gardens and nature reserves activities

    • Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation

    • Hotel and similar accommodation

    • Mobile beverage services

    • Mobile food services

    • Museums

    • Operation of historical sites

    • Other accommodation

    • Other amusement and recreation activities

    • Other food and beverage services

    • Other holiday reservation services

    • Recreational and sport activities

    • Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)

    • Tour operator activities

    • Travel agency activities

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According to the EU Tourism Dashboard, the average greenhouse gas emissions produced by the tourism ecosystem among EU countries increased from 48 tonnes CO2-eq/million EUR in 2019 to 64 tonnes CO2-eq/million EUR in 2021. Notably, in 2021, the largest contributions to GHG emissions and air pollution came from Estonia, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Netherlands, with values ranging from 110 to 174 tonnes CO2-eq/million EUR. Conversely, Belgium, Greece, and Sweden had the smallest impact, contributing between 0 and 19 tonnes CO2-eq/million EUR. While GHG emissions produced by the tourism industry in these countries remained relatively unchanged compared to 2019, countries with the highest contributions saw an increase, highlighting the importance of sharing best practices across nations to address this increase.

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