Lex Delles presented the concept of sustainable tourism in Luxembourg

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On 17 December 2024, Luxembourg's Minister of Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, presented the concept of sustainable tourism, which is becoming key to the development of the country's tourism sector. This project prioritises the principles of environmental friendliness, social equity and economic sustainability, which is in line with international standards and the national strategy for sustainable development until 2030.

The concept is structured around four supporting pillars:

Environment: Conservation of natural resources and implementation of low carbon initiatives.
Social: Strengthening inclusiveness, accessibility and quality of recreation.
Culture: Promotion of the country's cultural heritage.
Economy: Supporting sustainable growth and stability of local businesses.

Sustainable tourism development is based on three main strategic axes:

Sustainable management

Introduce measurable indicators to assess CO₂ emissions from tourism and integrate sustainability criteria into the allocation of government subsidies.

Sustainable tourism offer

Improving transport accessibility to tourist sites through sustainable modes of transport such as trains, buses and bicycles. Already 29% of international tourists choose these means of transport to visit Luxembourg.

Communication and education

The focus is on digital initiatives and educational programmes to promote environmental responsibility among visitors.

According to research conducted in 2023, 72% of Luxembourg residents consider sustainable tourism a priority and 79% support its further development. On the international stage, 75% of travellers say they want to choose more sustainable ways of holidaying, according to Booking.com's 2024 data.

Minister Lex Delles emphasised that the concept is aimed at preserving the beauty and uniqueness of the country:

"We propose a structured approach with specific measures that contribute to climate objectives and create a quality tourism offer. This project plays a key role in strengthening the local economy and improving the quality of life for our residents and visitors."

Developed with the participation of regional tourism offices, experts and representatives of natural parks, the vision will be realised through projects such as the expansion of EcoLabel Luxembourg (currently 45 certified sites) and the further development of green mobility. In addition, priorities and actions to take the vision forward were identified through a collective discussion at the beginning of 2024.

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