"Smart, sustainable and resilient approaches to tourism are needed with more emphasis on interregional tourism", noted Pavel Branda while chairing a debate on the impact of the current geopolitical situation on cross-border tourism. Mr Branda, Deputy Mayor of Rádlo in Czechia, opened the debate highlighting first of all the devastating results of the Russia-Ukraine war, in particular that the consequences of war have reached the EU and most of all the EU countries bordering Ukraine and Russia.

The war in Ukraine has wide-ranging effects. Cross-border cooperation has been significantly hit, and local as well as cross-border tourism are inherent parts of it. To a great extent, the ensuing security risks and the huge influx of refugees emanating from the war are factors that have directly affected cross-border tourism. 

"Nevertheless, the war in Ukraine has resulted in a slowing-down of the recovery of tourism, but has not stopped it. What we need today is smart, resilient and sustainable approaches to tourism, and also diverse service providers. Tourism has to become innovative, durable and competitive, with major emphasis given to interregional tourism", said Mr Branda.