Registrations are now open for the CIVITAS Politicians Exchange Forum in Thessaloniki

The next CIVITAS Politicians Exchange Forum (PEF) will take place on 15 September 2026 during the CIVITAS Forum Conference 2026 in Thessaloniki, Greece. Hosted at Thessaloniki Town Hall from 09:00 to 12:30, the meeting will provide a platform for city leaders, representatives of the European Commission and key stakeholders to exchange perspectives on one of the most pressing issues facing European cities today.

This year's discussion, "The EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy: Mobility and Tourism at a Crossroads," will focus on the growing interdependence between sustainable mobility and tourism. As travel patterns evolve and visitor numbers fluctuate across seasons and regions, cities and regions must provide sustainable, reliable and accessible transport options that support both visitors and local communities.

Participants will explore how cities can better respond to these challenges by improving multimodal and cross-border connectivity, promoting low- and zero-emission transport, and managing peak visitor flows while safeguarding accessibility, transport system efficiency and residents' quality of life. The discussion will also examine governance and coordination between transport and tourism stakeholders, as well as the role of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans in supporting more sustainable tourism.

Short interventions from cities and representatives of the tourism and mobility sectors will contribute to an interactive discussion on key challenges, opportunities and policy measures. The meeting will conclude with a summary of the key takeaways, followed by a site visit showcasing Thessaloniki's metro system and its integration with the city's cultural heritage areas.

Event details

• Date: 15 September 2026
• Time: 09:00–12:30
• Venue: Thessaloniki Town Hall, Thessaloniki, Greece

Interested in joining the next PEF?

If you would like to participate in the PEF meeting in Thessaloniki, please complete the registration survey by 1 September 2026.

Please note that, in line with our commitment to diversity and inclusivity, we aim to ensure balanced representation across geographical regions, genders and city sizes. We therefore reserve the right to apply these criteria during the participant selection process.

Author: Adam Oliver

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