The historic agreement among world leaders at the United Nations in 2015 on a universal 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development committed all countries to pursue a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that would lead to a better future for all. The bold agenda sets out a global framework to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change until 2030.
As the 17 SDGs and the corresponding 169 SDG targets offer the world a new direction, tourism can and must play a significant role in delivering sustainable solutions for people, the planet, prosperity and peace.
Tourism as an economic powerhouse is the third highest world category in export earnings in 2015, representing 10% of world GDP, 30% of services exports and 1 out of every 10 jobs in the world. Tourism has the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly to all of the goals. In particular, it has been included as targets in Goals 8, 12 and 14 on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and the sustainable use of oceans and marine resources, respectively.
Tourism provides income
through job creation at local
and community levels.
Tourism can spur sustainable
agriculture by promoting
the production and supplies
to hotels
Tax income generated
from tourism can be
reinvested in health care
and services
Tourism has the
potential to promote
inclusiveness
Tourism can empower women,
particularly through the
provision of direct jobs
and income-generation
Tourism investment requirement
for providing utilities can
play a critical role in achieving
water access and security
As a sector, which is energy
intensive, tourism can accelerate
the shift towards increased
renewable energy shares
Tourism, as services trade,
is one of the top four export
earners globally
Tourism development relies
on good public and private
infrastructure
Tourism can be a powerful tool
for community development and
reducing inequalities if it engages
local populations and all key
stakeholders in its development.
Tourism can advance urban
infrastructure and accessibility,
promote regeneration and preserve
cultural and natural heritage,
assets on which tourism depends.
The tourism sector needs to
adopt sustainable consumption
and production (SCP) modes
Tourism contributes to
and is affected by climate
change.
Coastal and maritime
tourism rely on healthy
marine ecosystems.
Rich biodiversity and
natural heritage are
often the main reasons
why tourists visit a destination.
As tourism revolves around
billions of encounters
between people of diverse
cultural backgrounds,
Due to its cross-sectoral nature,
tourism has the ability to
strengthen private/public
partnerships
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