Lydia Vlagsma, one of the co-chairs of the Youth Committee, participated in a Youth Dialogue meeting on tourism organised by the European Commission. She shared the challenges for young persons with disabilities when travelling with the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Tzitzikostas, and with other youth advocates.
This EU Youth Dialogue brought 20 young persons from 15 European countries to Athens to discuss the future of tourism in the European Union.
Lydia underlined the additional cost of travelling with a disability because of the need for adapted transport or accommodation. She reinforced a point made earlier by Dimitra, a youth advocate representing the European Network for Accessible Tourism.
Commissioner Tzitzikostas acknowledged that accessibility is a “major issue that would receive stronger attention in the future strategy” and that “tourism should be for everybody”.
Accessibility and inclusion were also mentioned as one of the main takeaways from this Youth Dialogue in the full report of the event.
We are now looking forward to the publication of the Sustainable Tourism Strategy, to which EDF also gave input, and hope for a strong chapter on accessibility.
Background
The EU Youth Dialogues bring together young persons with EU decision-makers to ensure that the youth perspective is brought into EU policy. Our Youth Committee members have participated in several Youth Dialogues with European Commissioners, including one with Commissioner Lahbib in March 2026.
Featured photo Credits: European Union , 2026