Climate Pressure Hits Europe’s Coasts and Ski Destinations as Tourism Grows

At ITB Berlin on March 3, 2026, EU tourism commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said climate change is already damaging tourism destinations across Europe, especially coastal and mountain areas. He warned that extreme weather is now a direct tourism problem because it affects destination safety, attractiveness, and reliability at a time when Europe is still seeing record visitor demand.

In his ITB Berlin address, Tzitzikostas said Europe welcomed more than 582 million international visitors last year and recorded more than 3 billion nights in official accommodation, highlighting the scale of what is now at risk.

His comments also come ahead of the EU’s first Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, which he said will be presented later this spring.

Why coastal and mountain destinations are most exposed

Tzitzikostas highlighted coastal and mountain regions because they face some of the clearest climate-related risks. Coastal destinations can be hit by flooding, heat, and ecosystem damage, all of which can reduce visitor appeal and increase adaptation costs for local tourism businesses.

Mountain destinations face warmer winters and less reliable snowfall, especially at lower altitudes. Over time, this can shorten ski seasons, raise operating costs, and weaken the long-term business model of some resorts.

What the EU says it will do next

The commissioner said the EU’s upcoming tourism strategy will focus on cutting emissions, using resources better, and supporting more balanced regional development. He also said high-speed rail should play a bigger role in sustainable travel across Europe, linking climate goals with practical transport changes such as easier rail access and better cross-border travel planning.

The Commission’s broader transport investment plan aims to mobilize at least €2.9 billion ($3.1 billion) in the short term, including support for low-carbon fuels in aviation and water transport. It also plans to propose rules later this year to improve cross-border rail ticketing and booking, and to identify rail-link investment needs at 40 major European airports. These steps show the EU is treating climate resilience as a transport and connectivity issue as well as a destination issue.

A related trend is also reflected in recent discussion about EU sustainability changes as tourist volumes remain high reinforcing that climate resilience is becoming a core transport and infrastructure planning issue for the next phase of European tourism.

Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash