Interview with Peter Burke T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Ireland

• As Ireland assumes the EU Presidency in July 2026, what are your main priorities for supporting the competitiveness and resilience of Europe’s tourism and hospitality sector, particularly given its importance for SMEs, employment and regional development?

A central priority during the Irish EU Presidency is to support the competitiveness and resilience of Europe’s tourism and hospitality sector. I recognise the vital role of the sector which is largely made up of SMEs, over 46,000 in Ireland alone, and which provides much needed employment, and regional development across the Union.

Strengthening competitiveness will require a continued focus on helping businesses adapt to structural shifts, including digitalisation, sustainability requirements and changing consumer expectations, while ensuring Europe remains a high-quality, innovative, and globally competitive destination. Given that the sector is largely composed of SMEs, enhancing the business environment through simpler access to EU supports, improved financing opportunities and reduced administrative burdens will be important for strengthening long-term viability.

Investment in skills and workforce development will also be critical to addressing persistent labour shortages and improving the overall appeal of careers in the tourism and hospitality sector. At the same time, promoting sustainable and balanced tourism, particularly in regional and rural areas, will help drive growth while strengthening resilience.

I consider that strengthening coordination at EU level can further support competitiveness by improving greater coherence across policies and initiatives impacting the sector. Continued collaboration between Member States, industry stakeholders and EU institutions can help identify shared challenges, exchange best practices, and scale effective solutions.

Overall, the aim during the Irish Presidency will be to take a practical approach to help strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s tourism and hospitality sector, while also enhancing its resilience and its continued contribution to jobs and regional development.

• The Irish Presidency will take place as the Commission prepares its upcoming EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy. From Ireland’s perspective, what should this Strategy deliver to ensure that European tourism remains globally competitive, sustainable and practical for the small and medium-sized businesses that drive the sector?

Ireland eagerly awaits the forthcoming publication of the first EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy and strongly supports the vision set out by European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas to deliver a more resilient, sustainable, and future‑proof tourism model. Ireland particularly endorses the balanced approach of promoting economic growth alongside environmental protection, community wellbeing and continued global competitiveness.

A strong focus on competitiveness will be crucial, especially given the sector’s reliance on SMEs and micro‑enterprises. Ireland supports measures to strengthen resilience, help businesses adapt to market changes and new technologies, and ensure simpler access to EU supports while reducing administrative burdens. Accelerating digital uptake and improving the business environment will be key to enabling enterprises to grow and innovate.

Ireland also welcomes the Strategy’s emphasis on more balanced tourism development, including better management of visitor flows, promotion of year‑round travel, and support for regional destinations. Sustainable and well‑connected transport, including improved links to peripheral and island regions, will be essential to underpin this approach.

In addition, Ireland supports a stronger focus on crisis preparedness, skills development, and enhanced coordination across Member States, including the sharing of best practices. Strengthening global engagement will also be important to maintain Europe’s position as a leading tourism destination.

Overall, Ireland looks forward to working closely with the Commission and Member States to advance a practical, coordinated Strategy that strengthens resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness across the sector.

• Labour shortages, skills development and the attractiveness of tourism and hospitality careers remain major challenges across Europe. During the Irish Presidency, how do you see the EU skills agenda evolving, and what more can be done to support tourism and hospitality businesses in attracting, training and retaining talent, especially young people?

Skills and labour shortages, alongside the overall attractiveness of careers in tourism and hospitality, remain key challenges for the sector. The Irish Presidency will support a practical, coordinated EU approach to strengthening the skills agenda.

This includes ensuring skills systems are responsive to labour market needs, supported by stronger collaboration between Member States, industry, and education providers. Effective use of existing EU programmes, such as Erasmus+, can help expand apprenticeships, work-based learning, and cross-border opportunities, particularly for younger workers.

Improving the attractiveness of careers will also be essential through better access to training, clearer progression pathways, and supportive working environments, especially for SMEs. Progress on skills recognition, including the use of EU frameworks and digital credentials, can further support labour mobility and better matching of skills to roles.

A more data-informed approach to workforce planning, alongside targeted investment in upskilling and lifelong learning, will also be important. Achieving meaningful progress will depend on continued, structured cooperation between education providers, industry stakeholders and public authorities, ensuring that policy, training provision and labour market needs are closely aligned. Strengthening these partnerships through regular engagement and joint initiatives can help anticipate emerging skills demands and support more effective pathways into employment, especially in regions and sectors experiencing acute shortages.

Overall, continued cooperation at EU level can help build a more resilient and adaptable workforce, supporting both businesses and long-term sector growth.