tourism for sdgs

Sustainable tourism

Related sdgs, promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable ....

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Publications.

Tourism is one of the world's fastest growing industries and an important source of foreign exchange and employment, while being closely linked to the social, economic, and environmental well-being of many countries, especially developing countries. Maritime or ocean-related tourism, as well as coastal tourism, are for example vital sectors of the economy in small island developing States (SIDS) and coastal least developed countries (LDCs) (see also: The Potential of the Blue Economy report as well as the Community of Ocean Action on sustainable blue economy).

The World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities".

Based on General assembly resolution 70/193, 2017 was declared as the  International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development SDG target 8.9, aims to “by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”. The importance of sustainable tourism is also highlighted in SDG target 12.b. which aims to “develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”.

Tourism is also identified as one of the tools to “by 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries” as comprised in SDG target 14.7.

In the Rio+20 outcome document The Future We want, sustainable tourism is defined by paragraph 130 as a significant contributor “to the three dimensions of sustainable development” thanks to its close linkages to other sectors and its ability to create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities. Therefore, Member States recognize “the need to support sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity-building that promote environmental awareness, conserve and protect the environment, respect wildlife, flora, biodiversity, ecosystems and cultural diversity, and improve the welfare and livelihoods of local communities by supporting their local economies and the human and natural environment as a whole. ” In paragraph 130, Member States also “call for enhanced support for sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity-building in developing countries in order to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development”.

In paragraph 131, Member States “encourage the promotion of investment in sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism and cultural tourism, which may include creating small- and medium-sized enterprises and facilitating access to finance, including through microcredit initiatives for the poor, indigenous peoples and local communities in areas with high eco-tourism potential”. In this regard, Member States also “underline the importance of establishing, where necessary, appropriate guidelines and regulations in accordance with national priorities and legislation for promoting and supporting sustainable tourism”.

In 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg called for the promotion of sustainable tourism development, including non-consumptive and eco-tourism, in Chapter IV, paragraph 43 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.

At the Johannesburg Summit, the launch of the “Sustainable Tourism – Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) initiative was announced. The initiative was inaugurated by the World Tourism Organization, in collaboration with UNCTAD, in order to develop sustainable tourism as a force for poverty alleviation.

The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) last reviewed the issue of sustainable tourism in 2001, when it was acting as the Preparatory Committee for the Johannesburg Summit.

The importance of sustainable tourism was also mentioned in Agenda 21.

For more information and documents on this topic,  please visit this link

UNWTO Annual Report 2015

2015 was a landmark year for the global community. In September, the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal agenda for planet and people. Among the 17 SDGs and 169 associated targets, tourism is explicitly featured in Goa...

UNWTO Annual Report 2016

In December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. This is a unique opportunity to devote a year to activities that promote the transformational power of tourism to help us reach a better future. This important cele...

Emerging Issues for Small Island Developing States

The 2012 UNEP Foresight Process on Emerging Global Environmental Issues primarily identified emerging environmental issues and possible solutions on a global scale and perspective. In 2013, UNEP carried out a similar exercise to identify priority emerging environmental issues that are of concern to ...

Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom, We recognize that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for su...

Towards Measuring the Economic Value of Wildlife Watching Tourism in Africa

Set against the backdrop of the ongoing poaching crisis driven by a dramatic increase in the illicit trade in wildlife products, this briefing paper intends to support the ongoing efforts of African governments and the broader international community in the fight against poaching. Specifically, this...

Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970-2012

Previous Caribbean assessments lumped data together into a single database regardless of geographic location, reef environment, depth, oceanographic conditions, etc. Data from shallow lagoons and back reef environments were combined with data from deep fore-reef environments and atolls. Geographic c...

15 Years of the UNWTO World Tourism Network on Child Protection: A Compilation of Good Practices

Although it is widely recognized that tourism is not the cause of child exploitation, it can aggravate the problem when parts of its infrastructure, such as transport networks and accommodation facilities, are exploited by child abusers for nefarious ends. Additionally, many other factors that contr...

Natural Resources Forum: Special Issue Tourism

The journal considers papers on all topics relevant to sustainable development. In addition, it dedicates series, issues and special sections to specific themes that are relevant to the current discussions of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)....

Thailand: Supporting Sustainable Development in Thailand: A Geographic Clusters Approach

Market forces and government policies, including the Tenth National Development Plan (2007-2012), are moving Thailand toward a more geographically specialized economy. There is a growing consensus that Thailand’s comparative and competitive advantages lie in amenity services that have high reliance...

Road Map on Building a Green Economy for Sustainable Development in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Grenada

This publication is the product of an international study led by the Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Foreig...

Natural Resources Forum, a United Nations Sustainable Development Journal (NRF)

  Natural Resources Forum, a United Nations Sustainable Development Journal, seeks to address gaps in current knowledge and stimulate relevant policy discussions, leading to the implementation of the sustainable development agenda and the achievement of the Sustainable...

UN Ocean Conference 2025

Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility “The ocean is fundamental to life on our planet and to our future. The ocean is an important source of the planet’s biodiversity and plays a vital role in the climate system and water cycle. The ocean provides a range of ecosystem services, supplies us with

UN Ocean Conference 2022

The UN Ocean Conference 2022, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal, came at a critical time as the world was strengthening its efforts to mobilize, create and drive solutions to realize the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

58th Session of the Commission for Social Development – CSocD58

22nd general assembly of the united nations world tourism organization, world tourism day 2017 official celebration.

This year’s World Tourism Day, held on 27 September, will be focused on Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development. Celebrated in line with the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the Day will be dedicated to exploring the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Deve

World Tourism Day 2016 Official Celebration

Accessible Tourism for all is about the creation of environments that can cater for the needs of all of us, whether we are traveling or staying at home. May that be due to a disability, even temporary, families with small children, or the ageing population, at some point in our lives, sooner or late

4th Global Summit on City Tourism

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Regional Council for Tourism of Marrakesh with support of the Government of Morroco are organizing the 4th Global Summit on City Tourism in Marrakesh, Morroco (9-10 December 2015). International experts in city tourism, representatives of city DMOs, of

2nd Euro-Asian Mountain Resorts Conference

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Ulsan Metropolitan City with support of the Government of the Republic of Korea are organizing the 2nd Euro-Asian Mountain Resorts Conference, in Ulsan, Republic of Korea (14 - 16 October 2015). Under the title “Paving the Way for a Bright Future for Mounta

21st General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization

Unwto regional conference enhancing brand africa - fostering tourism development.

Tourism is one of the Africa’s most promising sectors in terms of development, and represents a major opportunity to foster inclusive development, increase the region’s participation in the global economy and generate revenues for investment in other activities, including environmental preservation.

• January 2017 International Year of Tourism In the context of the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the International Year aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behavior towards a more sustainable tourism sector that can contribute to the SDGs.
• January 2015 Targets 8.9, 12 b,14.7 The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development commits Member States, through Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.9 to “devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”. The importance of sustainable tourism, as a driver for jobs creation and the promotion of local culture and products, is also highlighted in Sustainable Development Goal target 12.b. Tourism is also identified as one of the tools to “increase [by 2030] the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries”, through Sustainable Development Goals Target 14.7.
• January 2012 Future We Want (Para 130-131) Sustainable tourism is defined as a significant contributor “to the three dimensions of sustainable development” thanks to its close linkages to other sectors and its ability to create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities. Therefore, Member States recognize “the need to support sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity-building that promote environmental awareness, conserve and protect the environment, respect wildlife, flora, biodiversity, ecosystems and cultural diversity, and improve the welfare and livelihoods of local communities” as well as to “encourage the promotion of investment in sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism and cultural tourism, which may include creating small and medium sized enterprises and facilitating access to finance, including through microcredit initiatives for the poor, indigenous peoples and local communities in areas with high eco-tourism potential”.
• January 2009 Roadmap for Recovery UNWTO announced in March 2009 the elaboration of a Roadmap for Recovery to be finalized by UNWTO’s General Assembly, based on seven action points. The Roadmap includes a set of 15 recommendations based on three interlocking action areas: resilience, stimulus, green economy aimed at supporting the tourism sector and the global economy.
• January 2008 Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria represent the minimum requirements any tourism business should observe in order to ensure preservation and respect of the natural and cultural resources and make sure at the same time that tourism potential as tool for poverty alleviation is enforced. The Criteria are 41 and distributed into four different categories: 1) sustainability management, 2) social and economic 3) cultural 4) environmental.
• January 2003 WTO becomes a UN specialized body By Resolution 453 (XV), the Assembly agreed on the transformation of the WTO into a United Nations specialized body. Such transformation was later ratified by the United Nations General Assembly with the adoption of Resolution A/RES/58/232.
• January 2003 1st Int. Conf. on Climate Change and Tourism The conference was organized in order to gather tourism authorities, organizations, businesses and scientists to discuss on the impact that climate change can have on the tourist sector. The event took place from 9 till 11 April 2003 in Djerba, Tunisia.
• January 2002 World Ecotourism Summit Held in May 2002, in Quebec City, Canada, the Summit represented the most important event in the framework of the International Year of Ecosystem. The Summit identified as main themes: ecotourism policy and planning, regulation of ecotourism, product development, marketing and promotion of ecotourism and monitoring costs and benefits of ecotourism.
• January 1985 Tourism Bill of Rights and Tourist Code At the World Tourism Organization Sixth Assembly held in Sofia in 1985, the Tourism Bill of Rights and Tourist Code were adopted, setting out the rights and duties of tourists and host populations and formulating policies and action for implementation by states and the tourist industry.
• January 1982 Acapulco Document Adopted in 1982, the Acapulco Document acknowledges the new dimension and role of tourism as a positive instrument towards the improvement of the quality of life for all peoples, as well as a significant force for peace and international understanding. The Acapulco Document also urges Member States to elaborate their policies, plans and programmes on tourism, in accordance with their national priorities and within the framework of the programme of work of the World Tourism Organization.

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Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals - Journey to 2030

May 1, 2018.

Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals – Journey to 2030 serves as a guide to how the tourism sector can contribute towards the implementation and achievement of the 17 SDGs. It aims to inspire governments, policymakers and tourism companies to incorporate relevant aspects of the SDGs into policy and financing frameworks as well as business operations and investments. The publication’s recommendations are based on an analysis of 64 countries’ Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) on the SDGs – submitted to the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in 2016 and 2017 – as well as eight Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support (MAPS) country roadmaps and the CSR activities of 60 global tourism companies.

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The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) welcomed the UN General Assembly's (UNGA) adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular the tourism targets in Goals 8, 12 and 14, which address inclusive and sustainable economic growth, sustainable consumption and production (SCP), and the sustainable use of oceans and marine resources, respectively.

The UNWTO highlighted the potential of tourism to contribute to all of the Goals, and released a brochure summarizing the possibilities in relation to each SDG. For example, Goal 14 on oceans stipulates a target of increasing the economic benefits to small island developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through the sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism. In relation to Goal 16 on peaceful and inclusive societies, UNWTO notes that tourism, though not directly referenced in the goal-set, promotes cultural tolerance and understanding, strengthens cultural identities and spurs entrepreneurial activities, thereby helping to prevent violence and conflict. On Goal 17 (means of implementation), tourism, due to its cross-sectoral nature, is said to potentially strengthen public-private partnerships (PPPs) and engage multiple stakeholders in the interests of sustainable development.

The brochure draws attention to the Sustainable Tourism Programme (STP) being implemented under the Ten-Year Framework of Programmes (10YFP) on SCP, administered by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

While welcoming the firm positioning of sustainable tourism in the 2030 agenda, the UNWTO notes that achieving the agenda requires a clear implementation framework, adequate financing and investment in technology, infrastructure and human resources. [ UNWTO Press Release ] [ UNWTO Brochure ] [ Sustainable Tourism Programme in 10YFP ]

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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

Sustainable development goals (sdgs), measuring the sustainability of tourism (mst).

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The UN Tourism is custodian to two SDG indicators from the Global indicator framework . These two indicators are:

• Indicator 8.9.1: Tourism Direct Gross Domestic Product ( Download metadata )
• Indicator 12.b.1: Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability ( Download metadata )

In order to explore and download data related to these two indicators, please go to the webpage " Economic Contribution and SDGs "

The data is collected by UN Tourism from countries and reported on an annual basis to the United Nations Statistical Division, to be published in this website and to be included in the Global SDG Indicators Database . Data is periodically updated on an yearly basis. The Global SDG Indicators Database provides access to data compiled through the UN System in preparation for the Secretary-General's annual report on "Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals". Metadata on these indicators can be found in the SDG indicators Metadata Repository . 

Complementary indicators

The Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) statistical framework is supported  by the United Nations Statistical Commission , which recognizes it as the framework for the derivation of indicators on sustainable tourism as well as for measurement at the subnational level.  In the context of the MST, UN Tourism is working closely with countries and international organizations in the development of a set of indicators that would allow to monitor the contribution of Tourism to the Sustainable Development Agenda.

Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs)

On 6 March 2015, at its forty-sixth session, the United Nations Statistical Commission created the Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) , composed of Member States and including regional and international agencies as observers. The IAEG-SDGs was tasked to develop and implement the global indicator framework for the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda. 

Contributions to the IAEG-SDGs

• Contribution to the 13th meeting of the IAEG-SDGs (March 2022)
• Contribution from the countries in the Committee on Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account of the UN Tourism (April 2018)
• Indicator 8.9.2 – Proportion of jobs in sustainable tourism industries out of total tourism jobs (March 2017)
• Summary Statement from the UN Tourism Committee on Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account (March 2017)
• Contribution to the IAEG-SDGs - SDG Indicators for "Sustainable tourism" (March 2016)

How Tourism Contributes to the UN’s SDG’s

One has found themselves with extra time to contemplate things, now that all tourism activities have been suspended since the beginning of 2020. As the effects of tourism both positive and negative, can be seen clearly, perhaps it is time to consider the ways in which our travel and tourism can be beneficial for the environment. 

You may have heard of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations has created a list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2016, with the hope of achieving them by the year 2030.  Each goal has a list of smaller, possibly more attainable sub-goals. Each of the 17 goals is interconnected with each other, so the achievement in one goal will help to achieve some of the others.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) website Tourism for SDG’s , tourism can aid in achieving every one of the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. 

Listed below are the 17 sustainable development goals and how tourism helps to achieve each of these goals, as it is mapped out on their website:

1. No poverty

Tourism creates jobs. Sustainable tourism helps to create jobs at a more local level, which in turn generates the income needed to help reduce poverty and to create necessary investment for entrepreneurial activity within said communities.

2. Zero hunger

How tourism can contribute to the goal of ‘zero hunger’ is a two-pronged approach. As a general approach, tourism generates the need for more agricultural production regarding the ability to supply local eateries and accommodation guests. As per the approach of sustainable tourism, agritourism can be brought to the forefront of local agriculture as a way of educating the traveller and generating additional income for agriculture production communities. 

3. Good Health & wellbeing

The theory of how tourism can contribute to the goal of ‘good health & wellbeing’ is straightforward and simple. Income generated from tourism, in the form of taxes, can be directed towards various community healthcare programmes.

4. Quality education

Tourism is able to contribute to the goal of ‘quality education’ through the means of providing a skilled workforce. Any locale where tourism is present, there is a need for customer service workers, rangers, guides and a variety of jobs which need people that have had training in their professional field. This need for practical training will result in more access to education in all areas.

5. Gender equality

In a parallel manner to how tourism contributes to the goal of eliminating poverty, helping to create more gender equality goes hand-in-hand with this. When small communities are able to generate enough profit for saving and distributing in the form of micro-loans to assist in the creation of entrepreneurial activity, many of these micro loans are directed towards women’s business, for example; in the form of handicraft sales.

6. Clean water & sanitation

For any area to be able to provide tourism activities, clean water & reliable sanitation is a must! This investment into local infrastructure is of pure benefit to all.

7. Affordable & clean energy

As a partner to clean water & sanitation, energy resources are also a necessity for tourism areas. The investment into clean energy into these areas is benefit in that it can help to reduce emissions and contribute to a more widespread access to energy for all.

8. Decent work & economic growth

Tourism, in itself, generates one of the highest percentages of employment in the world. It is said that 10% of all the jobs globally are tourism related. In an industry that can employ such a high percentage of people, economic growth and employment opportunities are of course, among the highest benefit of tourism efforts. Sustainable tourism takes this even further, as it employs more people at local and community levels which offers previously unprecedented ability for many to earn a living wage.

9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure

As tourism needs infrastructure in its destination. This need for infrastructure puts additional pressure on local governments to provide these things in order to appeal to the tourism market and generate foreign investment activity. 

10. Reduced inequalities

Tourism, especially sustainable tourism, can be an effective tool for reducing inequality. For example, agritourism can result in rural development which will help to not only generate additional income for these communities, but also result in rural development activities which in turn helps to reduce inequalities between the urban and rural populaces.

11. Sustainable cities & communities

Sustainable tourism in urban areas has increased the demand for green infrastructure. This demand has shown to result in greener city areas, with more sustainable options, for both the residents and the travellers.

12. Responsible consumption & production

It is said that sustainable consumption will need ‘tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for tourism including for energy, water, waste, biodiversity and job creation’. This will result in positive economic impacts, as well as additional preservation of the environment via lowering the impact of consumption.

13. Climate action

Tourism can both contribute to, or be affected by, climate change. This is one reason why sustainable tourism is so important. Sustainable tourism is able to affect change by introducing more responsible tourism activities and practices, which in turn reduces the footprint of tourism, thus contributing to a positive change.

14. Life below water

Coastal areas are a big draw on the tourism market. The need for healthy marine areas in these destinations is a necessity. Sustainable tourism efforts can contribute to the preservation of marine ecosystems as well as helping to establish environmentally friendlier tourism habits.

15. Life on land

Sustainable tourism and ecotourism efforts will contribute greatly to the Sustainable Development Goal of improving life on land. These efforts directly affect the preservation of national heritage, wilderness areas, culture as well as the employment of locals and directing of profits into the local communities.

16. Peace & justice

The cultural diversity involved in global tourism makes it possible for tourism to have a large part in promoting peace. Meeting other cultures, learning about the heritage, the history and the practices are a mainstay of tourism. Gaining an understanding of varying cultures is also necessary when considering what is needed to help bring peace in diversity.

17. Partnerships for the goals

Many of these Sustainable Development Goals are inter-reliant on each other, as far as tourism and sustainable tourism efforts are concerned. The tourism market has enough appeal that it is able to aid in the accomplishment of these goals, simply by appealing to the traveller. This high appeal makes it possible for private, public and governmental institutions to work together for the betterment of tourism, resulting in policy changes and financing possibilities which will aid in the achievement of these goals. 

With all of this, making a change for the better seems not only possible, but entirely plausible! We travel because we love it. But with so many aspects of our sustainable travel contributing to the preservation of nature and betterment of communities around the world, it becomes clear that one really can make a big difference simply by being a sustainable traveler!

Thank you for reading this article today. If you would like to receive more information about ecotourism efforts, directly to your email inbox, please click here to join our newsletter!

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