The Transport and Tourism (TRAN) committee has approved a proposal this month which is intended to reduce pressure on overcrowded destinations by spreading travel across the regime.

The proposal, which still needs approval from Parliament itself, is calling for tighter regulation of short-term rentals, stronger transport links, and new initiatives to push visitors towards less-visited locations.

Members of the European Parliament have noted that 80 percent of tourists visit just 10 percent of destinations across the global.

Lawmakers are now keen to redirect travellers to lesser-known places, including mountain areas, rural regions and remote destinations that have the capacity to hose more tourists than they currently see.

It's thought that areas like wine, gastronomy, beer, heritage and more could attract people beyond peak seasons, while generating income for regions that don't typically benefit from mass tourism.

The European Commission has been urged to strengthen sea, air and land connections to such destinations, as well as making travel as a whole smoother and more sustainable.

For short-term rentals, lawmakers want a new EU framework to launch clearer rules, including different categories of hosts, and zoning rules.

Daniel Attard, the report’s rapporteur and part of Malta's S+D group, said: "This report is a first step towards shaping Europe’s first sustainable tourism strategy."

A full European Parliament vote could take place in April.