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Fisheries across Europe can be a major force in the continent’s economy by attracting anglers from around the world while promoting sustainable tourism at the same time.

A number of studies have been suggesting that Europe could offer a range of hugely successful fishing destinations and now the two major fishing tackle associations on the content have weighed in, agreeing that more should be done to explore the opportunities.

Both the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association and the European Anglers Alliance – which between them represent the interests of the fishing tackle industry and millions of European fisherfolk – have told the European Union about the importance of the fisheries as part of a wider consultation on ways to boost tourism across the continent

The two organisations’ responses outline, among other things, how recreational angling tourism deserves more attention and has a huge potential for the economy, that fishing destinations can offer opportunities all year round and that the can contribute to urban, rural and remote areas alike.

The submission also makes clear that angling tourists can provide economic activity in marine protected areas (MPAs), which increasingly will be closed for commercial fishing, meaning angling tourism also can provide some much-needed MPA buy-in from local citizens impacted by MPAs’ negative impact on the local economy.

The concept will also incentivise excellent fisheries management to provide and sustain healthy fish stocks with a natural age composition by preserving the biggest fish.

Interestingly, EFTTA and the EAA also believe there is a need for a multilingual one-stop website where a recreational angling trip can be arranged easily, including travel, rental, boat, area description and so on).

The suggestions are a response to the European Commission’s targeted consultation for a new EU Strategy for Tourism, which concluded in August, to gather input for the upcoming strategy, which is expected early in 2026..

This initiative aims to foster a more smart, competitive, resilient, and sustainable tourism model for Europe, addressing challenges like environmental impact, digital and green skills, and balancing growth across different regions.

The move follows hot on the heels of several key studies into the benefits of angling tourism and how this sector has a mass of unrealised potential.

The Finnish Journal of Tourism Research concluded in a recent report: “Tourism studies and journals on tourism management/geography have, by and large, ignored angling tourism as a tourism activity across the globe, despite its significant contribu­tion to the tourism economy.

“Future research on angling tourism development requires broadening the geographical scope of studies, understanding anglers as tourists with subsequent research from tourism studies perspectives, acquiring and mining of quality data for sustainable site-specific tourism offerings as well as focusing on the issues of global environmental change for implementing effective manage­ment and adaptation mechanisms.”

Meanwhile, Dutch governmental organisation The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) has produced two reports on market entry and market potential for Europe, outlining important sectors and disciplines not to mention areas for growth.

As revealed in TTW earlier in the year, the organisation also said the support of national angling associations alongside the EFTTA and the EAA will drive these opportunities further.

The CBI reports said: “Fishing tourism is a large niche that makes an important contribution to local economies possessing natural resources and a well-established fishing infrastructure.

“There are 25 million recreational anglers in Europe, which makes it an important source market for fishing tourism. Germany, Italy and the UK are amongst the leading markets. Sustainability is a major trend in fishing tourism, as anglers understand the need to protect fish species and respect their habitats.

“Fishing tourism comprises travel away from home for the primary purpose of fishing, either in freshwater or saltwater. It involves individuals or groups travelling to destinations for the purpose of fishing for leisure or sport.

“These destinations include freshwater (lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and streams) and saltwater environments (oceans and seas) that are home to plenty of fish species.

“Tourism entrepreneurs can further specialise, depending on the type of fishing that is offered. Angling covers various fishing techniques and there is a crossover between definitions.”