Transport weighs heavily in the carbon footprint of a trip. With the rise of sustainable tourism, it is essential to opt for environmentally friendly modes of transport, such as the train, which pollutes 8 times less than the car and 14 times less than the plane, according to ADEME. But to encourage more tourists to take the train, the sector must propose an offer adapted to their needs. More links, better connections, attractive fares and a wide choice of timetables are all necessary to ensure that as many people as possible adopt the train. Although many projects in this direction are underway, there is still a long way to go before we reach our destination.
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Better connecting Europe by rail
Transnational rail services in Europe are set to receive a boost this year, thanks in particular to the European Commission's intention to support 10 pilot projects "aimed at setting up new cross-border rail services or improving existing ones". This approach supports and puts into practice an action plan announced in December 2021, the aim of which is to "stimulate long-distance and cross-border passenger rail transport".
The Commission wishes to facilitate contacts between companies and institutions and provide assistance. These links mainly connect major political or economic capitals such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Copenhagen, Milan, Munich, Prague, Paris, Rome and Stockholm. However, the Commission is interested in other routes, including Amsterdam - London, which could be very promising for both leisure and business tourism.
This ambitious operation also involves the relaunch of several night trains, including the Paris-Venice night train that the private French company Midnight Trains wants to (re)create by launching "hotels on rails". The Commission has also selected European Sleeper's Amsterdam-Barcelona night train, which is due to start operating between Brussels, Amsterdam and Berlin in May.
While European Sleeper is focusing on the launch of its Brussels-Berlin service for summer 2023, ambitious plans are on the horizon to expand the network. The next extension, expected in 2024, will connect Brussels with Dresden and Prague, two cities favoured for city breaks, again via Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Hannover, among others.
The Austrian Railways (ÖBB) wants to make travelling to Vienna by train more attractive by increasing the number of night trains. "Vienna is the centre of European night trains," said Norbert Kettner, Director of Tourism. Among the billions invested by the ÖBB are 33 new Nightjet...
France
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