Abstract
This impact research note examines how the 2020 European Tourism Convention became a turning point in EU tourism policy. Convened during the COVID-19 crisis and informed by an academic-led structured consultation using appreciative inquiry and materiality assessment, the Convention produced stakeholder-endorsed priorities aligned with the EU's green, digital and resilience transitions. These priorities formed the foundations for the Transition Pathway for Tourism, shaped the Council-endorsed European Agenda for Tourism 2030, and guided investment alignment through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, cohesion policy and the Pact for Skills. The Convention also catalysed a shift toward transition-oriented governance, multi-annual work plans and cross-DG coordination. As preparations begin for the new EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, its influence remains evident across the tourism policy ecosystem.