UN Tourism calls for climate action and community empowerment

The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has emphasised the urgent need for climate action in tourism to ensure the sector’s long-term resilience and for the benefit of host communities. 

UN Tourism is a specialised agency of the United Nations which promotes responsible, sustainable and universally-accessible tourism headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

During the recent G20 Tourism Ministers' meeting in Belém, Brazil, UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, called for urgent measures to reshape tourism in a way that benefits both the environment and local communities.

Pololikashvili remarked "tourism thrives on the stability of the climate, biodiversity, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Without urgent climate action, the future of tourism, along with the communities and ecosystems that rely on it, is at risk."

With tourism on track to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year, Pololikashvili highlighted the importance of looking beyond recovery and focusing on making tourism a force for positive change. His message emphasised empowering local communities, taking meaningful action on climate issues, and adopting sustainable economic practices that prioritize nature and circularity.

Global tourism has been steadily recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, with data showing that international tourist arrivals in the first half of 2023 have reached 80% of 2019 levels. Some regions, particularly the Middle East and Europe, are even surpassing these figures. However, areas like Asia and the Pacific are seeing a more gradual return due to ongoing travel limitations. This recovery reinforces tourism's crucial role in driving global economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering development in regions that rely heavily on the industry.

Pololikashvili also stressed that tourism's true potential lies in its ability to not only generate employment but also bring diverse cultures together. However, for tourism to evolve into a more sustainable and inclusive sector, new approaches are needed. This includes innovative governance that centres local communities and environmental preservation in decision-making, as well as stronger collaboration between governments and various stakeholders.

This appeal marks a critical juncture for the global tourism industry. The message is clear: to ensure its long-term success and resilience, the sector must place climate action and community empowerment at its core.