The Council conclusions on sports tourism as a factor contributing to sustainable development were adopted by EU Ministers on Tuesday, during the proceedings of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council in Brussels.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Athena Michaelidou, who pointed out that this is the first time the Council has prepared a set of conclusions specifically dedicated to the interconnection between sport and tourism.
She noted that the issue is particularly timely, as millions of Europeans travel for sports-related activities, either to participate in or attend sporting events, a trend that brings both economic and social opportunities, while also carrying an environmental footprint.
Michaelidou noted that sustainable sports tourism seeks to combine sports tourism activities with environmental protection and climate goals, while at the same time creating long-term value for both visitors and host communities.
The Minister said that the draft conclusions underline the potential for an alternative approach to certain models of mass tourism, placing sustainability at the centre as a guiding principle, from promoting active mobility to organising major sporting events.
At the same time, she stressed that sports tourism should originate from local communities and generate benefits for them, noting that it can contribute to the creation of quality jobs, while also strengthening local identity, participation and ownership.
The Minister also highlighted the need for a coordinated and cross-sectoral approach at all levels, bringing together the public and private sectors, as well as the sports movement, with the aim of developing sustainable sports tourism services and projects.
At the conclusion of the discussion, Michaelidou thanked the member states for their contribution to the consultations on the text and confirmed the adoption of the Council conclusions on sports tourism as a contributor to sustainable development.
As she noted, the text will be published in the Official Journal of the EU.