At the meeting held in Madrid, the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) gathered the views of more than 150 experts, with particular emphasis on critical issues such as moving towards a circular economy and reducing food waste in the sector. This international network is pioneering and implementing, in many cases for the first time, activities designed to empower and assist the tourism sector in implementing sustainable development in destinations. Members of the network join efforts to guide the transformation of tourism based on principles underpinned by participatory approaches involving all stakeholders to ensure inclusive and resilient tourism development.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: "To ensure the sustainable transformation of the tourism sector, its development must be seen as a means to achieve the overall prosperity of a local community and its environment, and not as a goal in itself. Observatories are an excellent tool to guide and accompany this change and ensure evidence-based decision-making."

Sustainable production and consumption

At the INSTO global meeting, destinations focused on how a timely and evidence-based approach helps to stimulate circular economy processes that lead to a more efficient use of resources such as water and energy. In addition, challenges in relation to the environmental and social dimensions were highlighted and the need for indicators that allow comparability between destinations was emphasised.

Another issue discussed was the growing variety of data sources which makes it increasingly difficult to process data to obtain the useful information needed for informed policy and decision-making processes. It was agreed that all these issues will be addressed in the INSTO Network through webinars and technical discussions.

Growth of the network continues

The meeting officially welcomed the Centre for Tourism Economics of the State of Sao Paulo in Brazil and the Tourism Intelligence System of Vizcaya in Spain as new members of the Network. Both destinations have based their commitment to sustainable tourism development on participatory approaches, evidence generation and transparency, three essential requirements for Network membership.

The meeting also provided the opportunity to introduce the five members that have joined since 2021: Mallorca, Barcelona and Malaga from Spain, the Yukon from Canada and Bogota from Colombia.