A city that is not good for its citizens is not good for tourists. Tourism can advance urban infrastructure and accessibility, promote regeneration and preserve cultural and natural heritage, assets on which tourism depends. Investment in green infrastructure (more efficient transport, reduced air pollution) should result in smarter and greener cities for not only residents but also tourists. Article 3 of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism emphasizes that all tourism stakeholders should safeguard the natural environment while developing tourism, including in cities and communities, to ensure sound, continuous sustainable economic growth, for the sake of both present and future generations
There are seven targets within SDG 11 that are deemed to have a stronger and direct link for tourism to promake cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. These targets have been selected to base the potential project indicators.
TARGET 11.1
BY 2030, ENSURE ACCESS FOR ALL TO ADEQUATE, SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND BASIC SERVICES AND UPGRADE SLUMS.
Tourism is seen as a source of growth, from which many countries and destinations could benefit. However, there is growing concern that important tourism development comes at a cost, as there are negative sociocultural and environmental impacts with many tourism-dependent areas being vulnerable to demand shocks. To address and contribute to Target 11.1, tourism development should be managed properly to avoid tourism activities displacing local residents and worsening existing conditions. It could, however, direct investment to infrastructure, such as housing, basic services and community facilities. Tourism can contribute to slum upgrading by creating jobs and generating income for residents, leading to an improvement in living conditions, including those who live in slum areas.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Local economic development / Destination management
Employment / Job creation
Infrastructure / Urbanization
Inclusion / Equality and inclusivity
Partnerships / Collaborative dialogues
TARGET 11.2
BY 2030, PROVIDE ACCESS TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS FOR ALL, IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY, NOTABLY BY EXPANDING PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF THOSE IN VULNERABLE SITUATIONS, WOMEN, CHILDREN, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND OLDER PERSONS.
The motivation to attract more tourists and generate more revenue for a destination through tourism activities can contribute to this target by influencing public authorities to invest in infrastructure, e.g., in sustainable transport and safe and accessible public spaces, benefiting both tourists and residents. The success of a tourism destination is critically linked to the issue of accessibility and mobility, as well as to the preservation of the very environment to which visitors require transport and access. Gender-responsive public transportation can be seen as best practice in developing countries that are focusing on gender considerations in public transport, which, if not addressed, might hinder access to services and opportunities, particularly for girls and women.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Tourism policies and strategies
Infrastructure / Transport
Infrastructure / Tourism facilities- inclusivity
TARGET 11.3
BY 2030, ENHANCE INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION AND CAPACITY FOR PARTICIPATORY, INTEGRATED, AND SUSTAINABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT IN ALL COUNTRIES.
Target 11.3 relates to the development of sustainable and inclusive urbanization and active engagement of all for human settlements planning. In this regard, tourism has a role to play as a major income generator and image maker, often dependent on cultural assets in urban areas to draw visitors. Revenues from tourism and the motivation to attract more tourists can trigger investments in urban infrastructure, such as sustainable transport or safe and accessible public spaces. Careful destination planning may avoid the adverse impacts of tourism. Proper urban planning supports people’s lives and improves the convenience of visitors to a city.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Infrastructure / Urbanization
Infrastructure / Transport
Partnerships / Consultation process
Tourism value chain / Supplier code of conduct
Tourism value chain / Sustainable procurement
TARGET 11.4
STRENGTHEN EFFORTS TO PROTECT AND SAFEGUARD THE WORLD’S CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE.
Tourism development and success is often dependent on cultural and/or natural assets and cultural and natural heritage are valuable as tourism attractions. This includes parks, historical buildings, archaeological sites and residential neighbourhoods. Thus, protection and conservation of cultural and natural heritage from human action, poorly managed or uncontrolled tourism(e.g., over-tourism) is essential. The cost of protection and conservation of heritage can be generated by tourism. Appropriate measures and sound tourism management are needed to minimize negative impacts that may be produced by tourism activity and maximize socioeconomic benefits.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Ecosystem / Natural and cultural heritage
Local community / Local community participation
TARGET 11.6
BY 2030, REDUCE THE ADVERSE PER CAPITA ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF CITIES, INCLUDING BY PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO AIR QUALITY AND MUNICIPAL AND OTHER WASTE MANAGEMENT
Target 11.6 requires a reduction in the environmental impact of cities. Tourism, if managed properly, can contribute to this target through good management and measurement of waste production and conscious planning of tourism activities. Visitors cause solid waste and emissions; banquets and conventions tend to generate food loss; exhibitions and tourist attractions create a lot of trash. Air conditioning and transportation in hotels and other buildings emit GHGs. These negative impacts will burden the residents of destinations. Due to problems of contamination and negative impacts on both the environment and often the image of the destination, it is increasingly necessary for destinations to measure waste production and to manage its treatment.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Infrastructure / Urbanization
Natural resource management / Renewable energy
TARGET 11.a
SUPPORT POSITIVE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL LINKS BETWEEN URBAN, PERI-URBAN AND RURAL AREAS BY STRENGTHENING NATIONAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING.
Target 11.a calls for strong national and regional development planning to support links between urban and rural areas for economic and social benefits. As a sector, tourism can play a role in contributing to this target, both through the breadth and width of its value chain, but also as a connector between urban and rural destinations. A destination which offers attractions in both allows visitors to visit both areas and this will help manage the heavy conjunction of one destination and avoid over-tourism. This cooperation can contribute to the development of rural areas through tourism development. Vacation rental and agritourism are options to promote rural destinations.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Tourism policies and strategies
Local economic development / Destination management
Investment / Investment promotion
TARGET 11.b
BY 2020, SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CITIES AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ADOPTING AND IMPLEMENTING INTEGRATED POLICIES AND PLANS TOWARDS INCLUSION, RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE, RESILIENCE TO DISASTERS, AND DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT, IN LINE WITH THE SENDAI FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION 2015–2030, HOLISTIC DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT AT ALL LEVELS.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 aims to reduce the number of vulnerable groups affected by addressing the protection and mitigation of national and local disasters. Airports, train stations, bus terminals, large museums, etc., need to be resilient because these facilities work as visitors’ hubs. These facilities may be used for temporary evacuation centres in times of crisis. Tourism can contribute to this target as it is in the interest of tourism stakeholders to reassure tourists. Disaster response for tourism also includes communication to prevent reputational damage. Although this target does not include communication response, a tourism crisis management plan sometimes overlaps the area disaster plan. As both plans involve a wide range of stakeholders, it is preferable to link those two plans for development.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Crisis management / Disaster risk reduction
Crisis management / Crisis strategies and plans
