Among the priorities highlighted were digital innovation aimed at empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those led by women or located in remote areas; fair and sustainable access to financing with tools to reduce bureaucratic barriers and risk for those lacking support networks; the improvement of international air connectivity as a key factor for balanced regional development; and strengthening communities’ ability to recover from climate events, health emergencies, or economic fluctuations.
South Africa, as host of the meeting, presented concrete measures exemplifying this new approach. These included launching a Tourism Investment Summit in Cape Town, implementing electronic travel authorization to digitalize visa procedures, and announcing tourism infrastructure projects that integrate environmental and social criteria. The country also underscored the creation of guidelines—such as the “Tourism Doing Business” guide adapted for South Africa and Africa—designed to make investment more transparent and accessible, reinforce investor confidence, and ensure that tourism activity benefits those often excluded from traditional circuits.
Pololikashvili made a particular appeal concerning Africa: although the continent accounts for 19 % of the world’s population, it receives only about 5 % of international tourism. The aim is to double that share, but to achieve this, improved accessibility—visas, air transport, infrastructure—as well as the development of local talent are seen as essential.
The commitment adopted in the Mpumalanga Declaration reflects these priorities. Under the themes of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” G20 ministers approved a roadmap designed to embed an inclusive approach both in discourse and in practice, linking tourism policies to sustainable development goals, climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, and governance that gives voice to Indigenous peoples, rural communities, and other vulnerable groups.
This moment represents a critical crossroads: tourism can no longer define success merely by visitor numbers or revenue. Instead, it must redefine its purpose to become a source of social equity, opportunities for all, and environmental protection. From now on, attention will focus on how G20 countries translate these commitments into tangible investments, consistent national policies, partnerships with the private sector, and mechanisms to evaluate social and ecological outcomes—not just economic ones. If successful, tourism will take a significant leap forward: from being a sector of exponential growth to becoming a truly transformative force.
