Reflections from the International Tourism Forum – Milan, 23–24 January 2026 The 3rd International Tourism Forum, held in Milan on 23–24 January 2026 and organised under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Tourism, offered an important opportunity to reflect on how tourism policy is being shaped for the coming decade. The […]
Monthly archives: January 2026
16 posts
On 16 January 2026, the Skål Europe Board held its first meeting of the year, marking the start of a new cycle of initiatives aimed at strengthening member value, visibility, and impact across Europe. The discussion focused on how Skål Europe can best support clubs and members in a fast-changing tourism environment, […]
Turning Commitment into Action at Club Level Understanding the Project Sustainability has become a defining issue for tourism worldwide, and Skål has long recognised its responsibility to promote ethical, responsible and forward-looking tourism practices. Across the Skål world, many clubs are already active in sustainability—sometimes formally, sometimes informally—through local initiatives, partnerships and […]
Tourism is at a turning point. Across Europe and beyond, destinations are facing mounting pressure from climate change, resource scarcity, social tension and economic volatility. In this context, simply maintaining tourism activity — or reducing its negative impacts — is no longer sufficient to secure long‑term viability. Recently, Skål Europe has published […]
A New Frontier for Tourism That Gives Back As the global travel industry continues to evolve in response to environmental and social change, a new paradigm is emerging that goes beyond sustainability: Regenerative Tourism. This concept challenges us not only to preserve destinations and communities, but to actively enhance them, leaving places […]
Why Creating Lasting Value Matters More Than One-Off Good Deeds In many destinations today, tourism is accompanied by gestures of goodwill. Visitors join beach clean-ups. Businesses plant trees. Donations are made to local causes. Short-term projects are launched with the best of intentions. These actions matter. They raise awareness, create moments of […]
What Changes in Practice When Tourism Becomes Regenerative For a long time, the tourism sector has tried to improve by learning how to do less harm. Energy efficiency became a priority. Waste was reduced. Emissions were measured. Visitor flows were managed more carefully. These efforts were necessary, and in many places they […]
When Long-Term Viability Matters More Than Short-Term Growth For decades, tourism has been one of Europe’s strongest economic engines. It has generated employment, supported regional development and connected cultures across borders. Growth was the dominant indicator of success: more visitors, more nights, more revenue. Today, that model is under strain. Across Europe, […]
Imagining Tourism That Strengthens Places Over Time Tourism remains a vital presence, visible, vibrant, and economically relevant. Cafés are open, guides are working, and hotels are occupied. Yet something feels different. The destination does not appear strained. It feels balanced, lived-in, confident in its own rhythm. Tourism no longer dominates the place. […]
When Change Is Driven by People, Not Badges Over the past two decades, tourism has increasingly relied on labels, certifications and global standards to demonstrate responsibility. Sustainability seals, rankings and benchmarks have multiplied, offering reassurance to markets and guidance to businesses. These tools have played a useful role. They have raised awareness, […]
On a summer afternoon in a historic European city, a resident watches yet another group of visitors pass beneath her window. Tourism brings life, employment, and cultural exchange—but it also brings noise, pressure on housing, and a feeling of loss of control. Across Europe, similar scenes unfold in cities, coastal regions, rural […]
Legal and Policy Framework, and Key EU Initiatives Tourism, Sustainability and the Role of the European Union Tourism is not regulated as a standalone policy area under European Union law. Instead, the EU plays a supporting and coordinating role, complementing the actions of Member States while shaping the broader legal and economic […]
Best Practices from Europe, for Europe On a quiet morning in a rural European destination, visitors gather not around a queue, but around a story. A local guide explains how tourism income helped restore a landscape, revive a tradition, or sustain a community. Nothing here feels spectacular—and yet, everything feels intentional. This […]
Skål continues to demonstrate its strong presence and influence within the Spanish tourism sector. The 2026 edition of the list of the 150 most influential tourism professionals in Spain has been published, and this year’s ranking brings particularly positive news for the Skål community. Seven Skål members have been included in the […]
FITUR Madrid 2026 is just around the corner, and Skål Europe is delighted to invite all Skålleagues attending the fair to come together for one of the most important tourism events of the year. From 21 to 25 January 2026, Madrid will once again host the global tourism community — and Skål […]
An interview with Laurent Quiege, President of Skal International Paris After a year marked by transformation, innovation, and renewed focus on communication in tourism, Skal Europe sat down with Laurent Quiege, President of Skal International Paris. With more than 25 years of experience in the tourism industry, a strong background in innovation […]