The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) have welcomed the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are an universal 17-goal plan of action for people, the planet and prosperity for all countries and require all stakeholders to act in collaborative partnerships. The SDGs were approved by the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2015.
Taleb Rifai, secretary-general, UNWTO said, “Issues such as climate change, effective resource management, poverty reduction and inclusive growth need to be at the center of tourism development. Now that the goals have been approved, it is time to step up our action, time to advance policies and business strategies that monitor and minimise the negative effects of tourism development and maximise its positive impacts, namely through the distribution of its benefits among host communities.”
Tourism is included in the SDGs as a target in Goal 8, Goal 12 and Goal 14:
– Goal 8, on the promotion of “sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all includes as Target 8.9 “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”.
– Goal 12 aimed to “ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” includes as Target 12.b to “Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism which creates jobs, promotes local culture and products”.
– Goal 14 set to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” includes as target 14.7 “by 2030 increase the economic benefits of SIDS and LCDs from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism”.
David Scowsill, president, WTTC said, “Travel and tourism is a sector which collectively contributes nearly 10 per cent of the world’s GDP and one in eleven of all jobs on the planet. Over one billion people cross international borders each year, a number expected to reach 1.8 billion by 2030, while at the same time, billions more travel domestically. This is a sector which will play a very significant role in making progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. This will play a major role in framing our world for the next generation. The Global Travel Association Coalition, representing the major public and private bodies in the travel and tourism industry, welcomes their adoption and the part that our sector will play in making them a reality.”