The Active Tourism Coalition, a new multi-stakeholder alliance led by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), has officially launched to champion active tourism as a strategic pillar of Europe’s sustainable tourism agenda. FESI was proud to participate in the launch and contribute to shaping a shared vision for a more active, resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sound tourism sector in the European Union.  

Active tourism, including cycling, walking, and hiking, offers unique opportunities to experience Europe’s destinations at human scale, while delivering low environmental impact, strong social value and deeper connections with local communities and their landscapes.  

Despite its economic significance, with cycling tourism alone estimated to have generated about €44 billion annually in Europe before 2012, active tourism still remains undervalued in strategic tourism planning.  

The coalition calls on European and national institutions to leverage the upcoming European Sustainable Tourism Strategy as a timely moment to recognise and support active tourism across four priority policy areas: 

1. Formal recognition and integration of active tourism into EU tourism policy, destination mobility strategies and multimodal transport planning 

2. Strengthened Brand Europe, showcasing long-distance route networks, such as EuroVelo, greenways and footpath, supported by high-quality data and recognised certification and training schemes 

3. Integrated governance, bringing together local communities, destination managers, transport providers, NGOs and outdoor sport bodies to ensure tourism development benefits residents while protecting natural and cultural assets 

4. Targeted investment in active tourism infrastructure within the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) 

FESI welcomes the coalition’s launch as an important step towards aligning sustainable and active tourism objectives with broader EU policy goals on climate, mobility and regional development, particularly in view of the upcoming European Sustainable Tourism Strategy planned for Spring 2026. Our engagement highlights FESI’s commitment to promoting tourism models that are economically vibrant, socially inclusive, and environmentally responsible, while fostering physical activity.  

FESI looks forward to continuing collaboration with the Active Tourism Coalition and European institutions to ensure that active tourism plays a central role in the future of sustainable tourism policy in Europe. 

About the Active Tourism Coalition: Led by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) and bringing together 15 civil society and industry organisations, the Active Tourism Coalition advocates for stronger recognition and coordinated action on active tourism in the European policy landscape.  

About FESI: Founded in 1960 FESI – the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry represents the interests of approximately 1.800 sporting goods manufacturers (85% of the European market) through its National Sporting Goods Industry Federations and its directly affiliated member companies. 70-75% of FESI’s membership is made up of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. In total, the European Sporting Goods Industry employs over 700.000 EU citizens and has an annual turnover of some 81 billion euro.

Contact: Ariane Gatti, FESI Senior Communication & Policy Manager / [email protected]  / +32 274 08 94