The President of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday highlighted the urgent need to promote sustainable and resilient tourism practices to protect the environment while continuing to benefit local economies.
Addressing a high-level meeting on tourism as part of the General Assembly first ever Sustainable Development WeekDennis Francis said it was a essential driver of economic growth and empowerment.
In 2023, the sector represented 3% of global gross domestic product (GDP), or $3.3 trillion, and employed one in ten people worldwide. For countries in special situations, such as small island states, tourism accounted for almost 35 percent of all export earnings and up to 80 percent of national exports.
“Despite the spectacular benefits reaped in its vast supply chains, tourism is also inherently susceptible to a multitude of disruptive forces – such as climate change, pandemics, acts of terrorism and domestic political instability,” said Mr Francis.
Sustainable
He raised concerns about the sector’s environmental and carbon footprint, saying sustainability must be paramount.
“We need a sustainable global tourism sector – a country with deep local value chains that increase demand for locally produced products and services in a way that also directly and positively benefits local communities,” he insisted.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the sector should also leverage digital technology to drive innovation and expand opportunities for employment and economic growth, particularly for women, youth and indigenous and local communities.
Subscribe for free to AllAfrica newsletters
Get the latest African news delivered straight to your inbox
Resilient
“We also need a resilient global tourism sector,” Francis said, emphasizing the need to minimize its vulnerabilities and strengthen its capacity to withstand external shocks.
This involves designing infrastructure that can withstand environmental disasters, fostering innovations that improve economic and social resilience, and diversifying tourism activities to reduce recovery time after disruptive events.
Symbol of hope
Zurab Pololikashvili, head of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), also spoke to the General Assembly, emphasizing that despite today’s pressing challenges, tourism offers a glimmer of hope.
Reflecting on the recovery of the sector after the COVID-19 pandemic – its most significant crisis in history – he observed that in 2023, international arrivals have rebounded to almost 90 percent of pre-pandemic levelswith a full recovery expected by the end of 2024.
This recovery must serve as a catalyst for bold action and transformative change, he said, emphasizing that “tourism can – and must – be part of this plan for a better future for all”.
Sustainable Development Week
The high-level event on tourism followed Monday’s deliberations on debt sustainabilitywhere speakers highlighted the devastating impact of debt on developing economies and called for urgent reform of the global financial system.
Upcoming highlights of the week include dedicated discussions on sustainable transport, infrastructure and energy.
