According to a recent UN report, an increase in investment toward sustainable tourism can not only boost the sector’s contribution to economic growth, development, and particularly job creation, but also address major environmental challenges.

 
In today’s global economy, tourism is one of the most promising drivers of growth. While the potential for positive gains is enormous, significant changes must first take place before we head out on the road to recovery.

According to a recent UN report, an increase in investment toward sustainable tourism can not only boost the sector’s contribution to economic growth, development, and particularly job creation, but also address major environmental challenges.

The report, produced by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), shows how investing in environmentally-friendly tourism can drive economic growth, lead to poverty reduction and job creation, while improving resource efficiency and minimizing environmental degradation.

An investment of a mere 0.2.% of annual global GDP (US $135 billion at current levels of GDP) between now and 2050 would allow the tourism sector to continue to grow steadily over the coming decades, contributing to much-needed economic growth, employment, and development while ensuring significant environmental benefits such as reductions in water consumption (18%), energy use (44%), and CO2 emissions (52%) compared to today.

“The conclusions of this report corroborate what we at UNWTO have long been advocating for – that the tourism sector can be a lead change agent in the transformation to the green economy,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “This is a landmark report. Advancing the sustainable agenda in tourism will allow the sector to strengthen its capacity to continue generating growth and creating jobs worldwide.”

To mobilize and maximize this tourism investment, small and medium-sized tourism enterprises need better access to tools and financing; in particular from governments and international organizations through public-private partnerships. Public policies and support such as subsidies to encourage private investment in green tourism would provide the conditions for the further development of sustainable tourism. Destination planning and development strategies are considered as the first step towards the greening of tourism.

This move towards more sustainable tourism would create additional employment and revenue in local communities, respond to changing consumer demands for a more sustainable travel experience, increase competitiveness, and significantly reduce operating costs for tourism businesses.

For more information, visit www.unep.org/greeneconomy.

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