The European Commission’s new EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy sets out plans to address cross-border boating licence recognition and marina modernisation, developments welcomed by European Boating Industry (EBI) as priorities for nautical tourism.
The Commission will seek to harmonise licence recognition through a proposed Council Decision applying UNECE Resolution No. 40 on the International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICC).
“An obstacle that visitors experience when travelling by leisure boat in the EU is when recreational boating licences are not recognised across countries,” the Commission states.
The strategy has been welcomed by the European Boating Industry (EBI) which says fragmented recognition creates administrative obstacles and uncertainty for boaters, charter operators, rental companies and boat clubs.
Common framework
It believes a common framework would support cross-border boating and sector growth.
Marina infrastructure is another focus. The strategy calls for upgrades, modernisation and greater sustainability, covering alternative fuel infrastructure, digital management tools, circular waste solutions, environmentally friendly mooring systems and a European digital platform for berth availability.
The proposed EU budget for 2028–2034 is identified as an opportunity to strengthen tourism investment, including infrastructure, small businesses, innovation and sustainability.
The strategy also announces a review of tourism VAT rules. EBI is advocating equal treatment of on-water accommodation, including marinas and boat charter, compared with accommodation on land.
Simplification initiative
“Longstanding demands concerning boating licence recognition, marina infrastructure investment are now explicitly reflected in the EU Commission’s policy agenda, alongside new opportunities to advance the sector’s interests,” said Philip Easthill, EBI secretary-general.
Wider measures include a tourism simplification initiative in the first half of 2027, an EU Tourism Observatory in 2027, a Common European Tourism Data Space and an EU Tourism Academy.
EBI sees opportunities to improve measurement of nautical tourism’s economic contribution and address workforce challenges.
