WTTC warns EU border delays could jeopardise $45bn in tourism spending
Sun, 14 Jun 2026
New research commissioned by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) warns that prolonged border delays linked to the rollout of Europe's new Entry/Exit System (EES) could put up to 41 million visitor arrivals and $45.4 billion in visitor spending at risk from four of Europe's most important source markets.
EU tourism overnight stays rise 3pc in Q1 2026: Eurostat
Sun, 07 Jun 2026
EU tourist accommodation recorded 471.1 million overnight stays in the first quarter of 2026, up 3.4% from a year earlier. Overnight stays increased steadily throughout the quarter, reaching 143.5 million in January, 154.4 million in February and 173.2 million in March.
EU to implement new entry-exit system from April 10
Tue, 07 Apr 2026
The EU will launch the mandatory Carrier Interface application on 10 April to check travellers’ Schengen eligibility. Operators finalise preparations, while eu-LISA’s CWG and the European Commission resolve remaining technical and implementation issues.
Austria moves toward full EU Entry/Exit System rollout by April 10
Mon, 16 Mar 2026
Austria has announced the final steps toward fully activating the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) across its air, land, and rail borders, making biometric data collection from non-EU travellers mandatory at all border checkpoints by April 10.