Transforming tourism: UNWTO's call to the G20

24-09-24

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has called on the Group of Twenty (G20) to take a leadership role in transforming the tourism sector, highlighting the urgent need to adapt to new global, environmental and economic demands. 

This request was made during the G20 summit, underlining the importance of taking concrete steps to ensure more resilient, inclusive and sustainable tourism.

Tourism, according to UNWTO, remains one of the main economic drivers globally, accounting for 10% of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing more than 300 million people. However, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the sector's vulnerability to global crises. During the most critical moments, millions of jobs were lost, and many tourism businesses, particularly small and medium-sized ones, were forced to close.

In this context, UNWTO proposes a transformative agenda to ensure that tourism is better prepared for future challenges. A focus on innovation, digital development and environmental sustainability is needed. Tourism destinations must reorient their strategies to be more resilient in the face of crises and less dependent on unsustainable practices.

One of the key points in the UNWTO intervention was sustainability, singled out as a fundamental pillar for the future of the sector. Tourism practices must be aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly with regard to climate change. Tourism is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions, and therefore the transition to green tourism is indispensable. The UNWTO's call to the G20 includes the implementation of policies that promote the decarbonization of the industry, the promotion of renewable energy use in tourism destinations and the creation of sustainable infrastructure.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the need for governments to work together with the private sector to achieve these goals. “Tourism cannot be left behind in the fight against climate change. It is time to act responsibly and in a coordinated manner to make a positive impact,” he said.

Inclusion and digitalization: key elements

In addition to sustainability, UNWTO emphasized the importance of inclusion and digitalization as transformative axes of tourism. The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital tools in the sector, and now more than ever it is crucial to ensure that tourism destinations are equipped with the technology needed to respond to the new demands of travelers. From online bookings to virtual experiences, the digitization of tourism is an essential aspect of its modernization.

In terms of inclusion, UNWTO emphasized the creation of decent and well-paid jobs, ensuring that local communities are the main beneficiaries of tourism. This includes policies that favor the participation of women and youth in the sector, as well as protecting the labor rights of tourism workers. “Inclusion is not only a matter of social justice, but also of long-term economic sustainability,” Pololikashvili pointed out.

The G20's role in transforming tourism

The G20, as the international forum that brings together the world's largest economies, has a unique responsibility to lead this transformation. UNWTO urged G20 leaders to integrate tourism into their economic agendas and to allocate resources for its sustainable development. Only through a joint commitment between governments, the private sector and local communities can we ensure that tourism remains a resilient engine of global development, aligned with contemporary challenges.

UNWTO's call is clear: tourism must transform, and the G20 has the power and responsibility to lead this global change.