EU tourism strategy shapes future procurement priorities in Ireland

Ireland felt the impact of EU tourism and mobility policy developments following confirmation that the European Commission hosted European Tourism Day in Brussels on 26 January 2026. The event directly informed a new EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, with implications for public-sector travel procurement, infrastructure investment, and supplier compliance.

For Ireland, where tourism accounts for approximately 4 per cent of GDP and supports one in ten jobs, the strategy’s direction is expected to influence procurement decisions across aviation, transport, and destination development.

Measures under discussion included decarbonisation targets, expanded rail connectivity, accessibility standards, artificial intelligence adoption, and the mobilisation of private investment. These themes were increasingly relevant to national procurement teams managing large-scale transport, travel, and sustainability contracts.

The Commission was expected to push for stricter emissions reporting for short-haul flights and expanded rail alternatives. Such measures could affect procurement criteria for public-sector travel, potentially raising compliance costs for carriers serving Irish routes while accelerating demand for low-carbon aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel.

In addition, green criteria were likely to become more deeply embedded in tender evaluations, influencing supplier selection and long-term framework agreements.

On the corporate side, multinational organisations headquartered in Ireland may face EU-wide obligations to report emissions linked to business travel, aligning with Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requirements.

This convergence of regulation and procurement placed increased emphasis on data accuracy, supplier transparency, and digital reporting tools within national and organisational purchasing systems.

Digital identity initiatives were also on the agenda. EU Travel Credentials, already being tested in France and the Netherlands, could streamline cross-border movement for EU citizens, including Irish passport holders.

Read more on how EU policy debates may redefine procurement standards, funding access, and supplier expectations across Ireland’s mobility and tourism sectors.