facts about sustainable tourism

Hospitality Industry

Sustainable travel statistics: 6 facts to open your mind

March 01, 2021 •

7 min reading

What do industry professionals need to know about the 'new norm' in tourism? In this article we take a deeper look at 6 sustainable travel statistics. While COVID has upended the $8 trillion global travel industry, the pandemic has also paved the way for tourism and hospitality professionals to reflect, rethink and reshape the sector, making it better - and ultimately more sustainable - for people and places around the world.

As UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said:

Sustainability must no longer be a niche part of tourism but the new norm for every part of our sector. That means an opportunity to build back better and create and industry that is more resilient and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Which key findings and statistics will help inform hospitality and tourism professionals as they recover from the impact of the pandemic and prepare for a more resilient and sustainable future?

1. sustainability is in growing demand:, over 53% of people want to travel more sustainably in the future..

While the term "sustainable tourism" is tossed around with increasing frequency, many professionals have only a vague understanding of what sustainability really means. Essentially, sustainable travel refers to tourism that supports the natural and cultural heritage - as well as the economic viability - of destinations. Not only is sustainability essential for our collective future, but tourists are demanding it. According to the digital travel platform Booking.com, over half (53%) of global travelers want to travel more sustainably in the future , and the company expects to see a more eco-conscious mindset in 2021 and beyond, as coronavirus has amped people’s awareness of their impact on the environment and local communities. In fact, over two-thirds (69%) of respondents anticipate that the travel industry will offer more sustainable travel options .

2. Beyond sustainable:

Regenerative travel is trending with dozens of companies committing to supporting the future of tourism’s 13 principles of a more ethical and planet-friendly industry..

While sustainability refers to harm reduction, a new concept has recently cropped up among tourism professionals: "regenerative travel". Built on the sustainability concept, regenerative tourism, which is even more ambitious, refers to leaving a place even better than you found it. Six nonprofit organizations - including the Center for Responsible Travel and Sustainable Travel International - have established the Future of Tourism coalition , which aims to “build a better tomorrow". Dozens of hotel groups, destination marketers and travel organizations have signed on to the coalition’s 13 guiding principles, including “demand fair income distribution” and “choose quality over quantity. ”

3. Generating economic opportunity:

Following tremendous losses, according to the wttc, the industry could regain 111 million travel and tourism jobs in 2021..

In 2020, the world economy shrank by 4.3 per cent, over two and half times more than during the 2009 global crisis. The economies of tourism-dependent regions have been hit particularly hard. Women, young people and workers with low education, who make up the bulk of hospitality employees, have been most severely affected. In fact, job and income losses have pushed millions of people in tourism-dependent places like Latin America and the Caribbean into poverty, wiping out all economic progress made over the past 15 years. At the peak of the pandemic, nearly nine in ten hotels had to lay off or furlough workers, and the hospitality and leisure industry lost 7.5M jobs. On a somewhat encouraging note, however, the World Travel and Tourism Council’s latest economic forecast predicts that as many as 111 million global travel and tourism jobs could be regained in 2021. That will depend, of course on restoring traveler confidence through vaccine distribution, mandatory mask-wearing and comprehensive COVID testing. And key to all economic recovery is investment. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged, "Let's invest in an inclusive and sustainable future driven by smart policies, impactful investments, and a strong and effective multilateral system that places people at the heart of all socio-economic efforts."

4. Travelers want to help:

Not only has the pandemic increased traveler commitment to sustainability and the environment, two-thirds of travelers want their choices to support the destination’s recovery efforts, and more than half want to see how their money is going back into the local community..

Travel companies are facilitating that desire to help. New businesses – such as the booking agency Regenerative Travel - features sustainable destinations and resorts and committed to a sustainable future. The interest in giving back to destination communities is even evident among armchair travelers. Global Child "Travel with Purpose" , a popular series available on Amazon Prime, is now in its third season. According to the series’ creator, "We wanted to inspire travelers to remember that everyone is part of one global family, it's time to leave the divisive behind and embrace the future together. Doing good in each place we visit, not only is a great blessing for each place we visit, but it actually does wonders for our own soul.”

5. Climate change:

The hotel sector accounts for around 1% of global carbon emissions, and this is set to increase..

Along with a global focus on the pandemic, concern over climate change has reached new levels this past year, with an increasing determination by businesses and individuals everywhere to do their part to mitigate carbon emissions. In fact, one of the silver linings of the pandemic has been the decrease in travel-related carbon emissions. Hotels can do their part to help further reduce emissions through sustainable building design, the efficient use of energy, by addressing issues in their supply chains and reducing single-use plastics. They can also reduce purchase carbon offsets with companies such as Cool Effect to offset their emissions. One important way that hotels and restaurants can contribute to reducing emissions - and address consumer concerns - is by serving sustainable foods. A recent survey from EU consumer organization BEUC, which focused on consumers’ attitudes toward sustainable food , found that more than half of consumers say that sustainability has some or a lot of influence on their eating habits. That means, for example, reducing red meat, which has a huge carbon footprint, and serving more plant-based and foods from local farms.

6. Sustainable design & stewardship sells:

53% of global travelers are willing to pay more for products that demonstrate environmental responsibility - 13% more than a year ago..

Even during the pandemic, concerns about the future of our planet are top of mind and driving decisions. As revealed by the Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2020 - which explores the views of more than 27.5K millennials and Gen Zs, both before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic - “despite the individual challenges and personal sources of anxiety that millennials and Gen Zs are facing, they have remained focused on larger societal issues, both before and after the onset of the pandemic. If anything, the pandemic has reinforced their desire to help drive positive change in their communities and around the world.”

The world’s top hoteliers and industry professionals are heeding the call. Just as 9/11 increased their focus on security, the pandemic has raised hoteliers’ awareness of health and wellness - concerns that are closely linked to sustainability. Along with contactless and touchless check-in and room controls, new hotels are being designed with a focus on nature and wellness.

One of the leading sustainability trends in hotel design is modular construction, which is efficient, reduces waste, energy-use and carbon emissions. CitizenM, opened its first modular hotel in Amsterdam in 2008, and currently eight of the company’s hotels are made with modular units, with more underway in Los Angeles and Seattle. Marriott International currently has 50 projects in the works. Sustainability is a focus of the high-end market as well, not only because it leads to greater efficiency but because it appeals to consumer concerns.

Online Hospitality Certificates Deepen your understanding of the hospitality industry 22 courses, delivered online, allowing you to work and study at the same time Discover

Consultant at EHL Advisory Services

Keep reading

Dynamic pricing: Maximizing revenue in the hotel industry

Sep 05, 2024

Hotel Employee Training Impacts Customer Experience and Happiness

Investment strategies in the hospitality industry: Essential insights

Sep 04, 2024

This is a title

This is a text

Bachelor Degree in Hospitality
Pre-University Courses
Master’s Degrees & MBA Programs
Executive Education
Online Courses
Swiss Professional Diplomas
Culinary Certificates & Courses
Fees & Scholarships
Bachelor in Hospitality Admissions
EHL Campus Lausanne
EHL Campus (Singapore)
EHL Campus Passugg
Host an Event at EHL
Contact our program advisors
Join our Open Days
Meet EHL Representatives Worldwide
Chat with our students
Why Study Hospitality?
Careers in Hospitality
Awards & Rankings
EHL Network of Excellence
EHL Hospitality Business School
Route de Berne 301 1000 Lausanne 25 Switzerland
Accreditations & Memberships
Privacy Policy
Legal Terms

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

Coral frames have been placed in the shallows on Baa Atoll in the Republic of Maldive

Coral reforestation helps restore desolated reefs around Landaa Giraavaru Island on Baa Atoll in the Republic of Maldives.

For travelers, sustainability is the word—but there are many definitions of it

Most people want to support sustainable tourism, even though the concept remains fuzzy.

The word “overtourism” is a relatively new term—but its novelty has not diminished the portent of its meaning: “An excessive number of tourist visits to a popular destination or attraction, resulting in damage to the local environment and historical sites and in poorer quality of life for residents,” according to the Oxford Dictionary .

As travel recovers from pandemic lows, travelers are once again experiencing the consequences of overtourism at enticing, but crowded, destinations. The UN World Tourism Organization, along with public and private sector partners, marks September 27 as World Tourism Day and uses this platform to discuss tourism’s social, political, economic, and environmental impacts.

This day highlights the importance of sustainable tourism —a framework for engaging travelers and the travel industry at large in supporting goals that include protecting the environment, addressing climate change, minimizing plastic consumption , and expanding economic development in communities affected by tourism.

Getting the facts

A National Geographic survey of 3,500 adults in the U.S. reveals strong support for sustainability. That’s the good news—but the challenge will be helping travelers take meaningful actions. According to the survey—which was conducted in 2019—while 42 percent of U.S. travelers would be willing to prioritize sustainable travel in the future, only 15 percent of these travelers are sufficiently familiar with what sustainable travel actually means.

( Learn about how to turn overtourism into sustainable global tourism .)

In the National Geographic survey, consumers most familiar with sustainable travel are young: 50 percent are 18 to 34 years old. Among travelers who understand the sustainable travel concept, 56 percent acknowledge travel has an impact on local communities and that it’s important to protect natural sites and cultural places.

The survey has informed National Geographic’s experiential travel and media businesses and sparked conversations for creating solutions around sustainability. Our travel content focuses on environmentally friendly practices, protecting cultural and natural heritage, providing social and economic benefits for local communities, and inspiring travelers to become conservation ambassadors. In short, we see every National Geographic traveler as a curious explorer who seeks to build an ethic of conserving all that makes a destination unique.

Building better practices

National Geographic Expeditions operates hundreds of trips each year, spanning all seven continents and more than 80 destinations. Rooted in the National Geographic Society ’s legacy of exploration, the company supports the Society's mission to inspire people to care about the planet by providing meaningful opportunities to explore it. Proceeds from all travel programs support the Society’s efforts to increase global understanding through exploration, education and scientific research.

National Geographic Expeditions offers a range of group travel experiences, including land expeditions, cruises, and active adventures, many of which take place around eco-lodges that are rigorously vetted for their sustainability practices.

These independent lodges incorporate innovative sustainability practices into their everyday operations, including supporting natural and cultural heritage, sourcing products regionally, and giving back to the local community.

For example, South Africa’s Grootbos Lodge launched a foundation to support the Masakhane Community Farm and Training Centre. Through this program, the lodge has given plots of land to local people who have completed the training, increasing their income and access to local, healthy foods; so far the program has benefitted more than 138 community members.

As a media brand, National Geographic encourages travelers to seek out and support properties that embrace a mission to help protect people and the environment. Not only do these accommodations make direct and meaningful impacts in their own communities, but staying at one helps educate travelers in effective ways to preserve and protect the places they visit.

Supporting sustainability

The travel industry is crucially dependent on the health of local communities, environments, and cultures. As many experts note, we need to invest in the resiliency of places affected by overtourism and climate change to achieve sustainable tourism.

( Should some of the world’s endangered places be off-limits to tourists ?)

National Geographic’s coverage stresses the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and encourages travelers to step off the beaten path and linger longer, respect cultural differences and invest in communities, reconnect with nature and support organizations that are protecting the planet. Here are 12 ways to travel sustainably , reported by our staff editors.

Storytelling can help by highlighting problems brought on by tourism and surfacing practices and technologies to mitigate negative impacts. A key goal of our storytelling mission at National Geographic Travel is to dig deeper into the topic of sustainable tourism and provide resources, practical tips, and destination advice for travelers who seek to explore the world in all its beauty—while leaving behind a lighter footprint.

Become a subscriber and support our award-winning editorial features, videos, photography, and more—for as little as $2/mo.

6 tips to make your next beach trip more sustainable

Can tourism positively impact climate change in the Indian Ocean?

B Corps can help us travel more responsibly—but what are they?

6 eco-conscious alpine resorts around the world

Welcome to Hydra, the Greek island that said no thanks to cars

Environment
Paid Content

History & Culture

History & Culture
Destination Guide
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Your US State Privacy Rights
Children's Online Privacy Policy
Interest-Based Ads
About Nielsen Measurement
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
Nat Geo Home
Attend a Live Event
Book a Trip
Inspire Your Kids
Shop Nat Geo
Visit the D.C. Museum
Learn About Our Impact
Support Our Mission
Advertise With Us
Customer Service
Renew Subscription
Manage Your Subscription
Work at Nat Geo
Sign Up for Our Newsletters
Contribute to Protect the Planet

What Is Sustainable Tourism and Why Is It Important?

Sustainable management and socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental impacts are the four pillars of sustainable tourism

Chapman University

Harvard University Extension School
Sustainable Fashion
Art & Media

What Makes Tourism Sustainable?

The role of tourists, types of sustainable tourism.

Sustainable tourism considers its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts by addressing the needs of its ecological surroundings and the local communities. This is achieved by protecting natural environments and wildlife when developing and managing tourism activities, providing only authentic experiences for tourists that don’t appropriate or misrepresent local heritage and culture, or creating direct socioeconomic benefits for local communities through training and employment.

As people begin to pay more attention to sustainability and the direct and indirect effects of their actions, travel destinations and organizations are following suit. For example, the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment is aiming to see every New Zealand tourism business committed to sustainability by 2025, while the island country of Palau has required visitors to sign an eco pledge upon entry since 2017.

Tourism industries are considered successfully sustainable when they can meet the needs of travelers while having a low impact on natural resources and generating long-term employment for locals. By creating positive experiences for local people, travelers, and the industry itself, properly managed sustainable tourism can meet the needs of the present without compromising the future.

What Is Sustainability?

At its core, sustainability focuses on balance — maintaining our environmental, social, and economic benefits without using up the resources that future generations will need to thrive. In the past, sustainability ideals tended to lean towards business, though more modern definitions of sustainability highlight finding ways to avoid depleting natural resources in order to keep an ecological balance and maintain the quality of environmental and human societies.

Since tourism impacts and is impacted by a wide range of different activities and industries, all sectors and stakeholders (tourists, governments, host communities, tourism businesses) need to collaborate on sustainable tourism in order for it to be successful.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) , which is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of sustainable tourism, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) , the global standard for sustainable travel and tourism, have similar opinions on what makes tourism sustainable. By their account, sustainable tourism should make the best use of environmental resources while helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity, respect the socio-culture of local host communities, and contribute to intercultural understanding. Economically, it should also ensure viable long-term operations that will provide benefits to all stakeholders, whether that includes stable employment to locals, social services, or contributions to poverty alleviation.

The GSTC has developed a series of criteria to create a common language about sustainable travel and tourism. These criteria are used to distinguish sustainable destinations and organizations, but can also help create sustainable policies for businesses and government agencies. Arranged in four pillars, the global baseline standards include sustainable management, socioeconomic impact, cultural impacts, and environmental impacts.

Travel Tip:

The GSTC is an excellent resource for travelers who want to find sustainably managed destinations and accommodations and learn how to become a more sustainable traveler in general.

Environment

Protecting natural environments is the bedrock of sustainable tourism. Data released by the World Tourism Organization estimates that tourism-based CO2 emissions are forecast to increase 25% by 2030. In 2016, tourism transport-related emissions contributed to 5% of all man-made emissions, while transport-related emissions from long-haul international travel were expected to grow 45% by 2030.

The environmental ramifications of tourism don’t end with carbon emissions, either. Unsustainably managed tourism can create waste problems, lead to land loss or soil erosion, increase natural habitat loss, and put pressure on endangered species . More often than not, the resources in these places are already scarce, and sadly, the negative effects can contribute to the destruction of the very environment on which the industry depends.

Industries and destinations that want to be sustainable must do their part to conserve resources, reduce pollution, and conserve biodiversity and important ecosystems. In order to achieve this, proper resource management and management of waste and emissions is important. In Bali, for example, tourism consumes 65% of local water resources, while in Zanzibar, tourists use 15 times as much water per night as local residents.

Another factor to environmentally focused sustainable tourism comes in the form of purchasing: Does the tour operator, hotel, or restaurant favor locally sourced suppliers and products? How do they manage their food waste and dispose of goods? Something as simple as offering paper straws instead of plastic ones can make a huge dent in an organization’s harmful pollutant footprint.

Recently, there has been an uptick in companies that promote carbon offsetting . The idea behind carbon offsetting is to compensate for generated greenhouse gas emissions by canceling out emissions somewhere else. Much like the idea that reducing or reusing should be considered first before recycling , carbon offsetting shouldn’t be the primary goal. Sustainable tourism industries always work towards reducing emissions first and offset what they can’t.

Properly managed sustainable tourism also has the power to provide alternatives to need-based professions and behaviors like poaching . Often, and especially in underdeveloped countries, residents turn to environmentally harmful practices due to poverty and other social issues. At Periyar Tiger Reserve in India, for example, an unregulated increase in tourists made it more difficult to control poaching in the area. In response, an eco development program aimed at providing employment for locals turned 85 former poachers into reserve gamekeepers. Under supervision of the reserve’s management staff, the group of gamekeepers have developed a series of tourism packages and are now protecting land instead of exploiting it. They’ve found that jobs in responsible wildlife tourism are more rewarding and lucrative than illegal work.

Flying nonstop and spending more time in a single destination can help save CO2, since planes use more fuel the more times they take off.

Local Culture and Residents

One of the most important and overlooked aspects of sustainable tourism is contributing to protecting, preserving, and enhancing local sites and traditions. These include areas of historical, archaeological, or cultural significance, but also "intangible heritage," such as ceremonial dance or traditional art techniques.

In cases where a site is being used as a tourist attraction, it is important that the tourism doesn’t impede access to local residents. For example, some tourist organizations create local programs that offer residents the chance to visit tourism sites with cultural value in their own countries. A program called “Children in the Wilderness” run by Wilderness Safaris educates children in rural Africa about the importance of wildlife conservation and valuable leadership development tools. Vacations booked through travel site Responsible Travel contribute to the company’s “Trip for a Trip” program, which organizes day trips for disadvantaged youth who live near popular tourist destinations but have never had the opportunity to visit.

Sustainable tourism bodies work alongside communities to incorporate various local cultural expressions as part of a traveler’s experiences and ensure that they are appropriately represented. They collaborate with locals and seek their input on culturally appropriate interpretation of sites, and train guides to give visitors a valuable (and correct) impression of the site. The key is to inspire travelers to want to protect the area because they understand its significance.

Bhutan, a small landlocked country in South Asia, has enforced a system of all-inclusive tax for international visitors since 1997 ($200 per day in the off season and $250 per day in the high season). This way, the government is able to restrict the tourism market to local entrepreneurs exclusively and restrict tourism to specific regions, ensuring that the country’s most precious natural resources won’t be exploited.

Incorporating volunteer work into your vacation is an amazing way to learn more about the local culture and help contribute to your host community at the same time. You can also book a trip that is focused primarily on volunteer work through a locally run charity or non profit (just be sure that the job isn’t taking employment opportunities away from residents).

It's not difficult to make a business case for sustainable tourism, especially if one looks at a destination as a product. Think of protecting a destination, cultural landmark, or ecosystem as an investment. By keeping the environment healthy and the locals happy, sustainable tourism will maximize the efficiency of business resources. This is especially true in places where locals are more likely to voice their concerns if they feel like the industry is treating visitors better than residents.

Not only does reducing reliance on natural resources help save money in the long run, studies have shown that modern travelers are likely to participate in environmentally friendly tourism. In 2019, Booking.com found that 73% of travelers preferred an eco-sustainable hotel over a traditional one and 72% of travelers believed that people need to make sustainable travel choices for the sake of future generations.

Always be mindful of where your souvenirs are coming from and whether or not the money is going directly towards the local economy. For example, opt for handcrafted souvenirs made by local artisans.

Growth in the travel and tourism sectors alone has outpaced the overall global economy growth for nine years in a row. Prior to the pandemic, travel and tourism accounted for an $9.6 trillion contribution to the global GDP and 333 million jobs (or one in four new jobs around the world).

Sustainable travel dollars help support employees, who in turn pay taxes that contribute to their local economy. If those employees are not paid a fair wage or aren’t treated fairly, the traveler is unknowingly supporting damaging or unsustainable practices that do nothing to contribute to the future of the community. Similarly, if a hotel doesn’t take into account its ecological footprint, it may be building infrastructure on animal nesting grounds or contributing to excessive pollution. The same goes for attractions, since sustainably managed spots (like nature preserves) often put profits towards conservation and research.

Costa Rica was able to turn a severe deforestation crisis in the 1980s into a diversified tourism-based economy by designating 25.56% of land protected as either a national park, wildlife refuge, or reserve.

While traveling, think of how you would want your home country or home town to be treated by visitors.

Are You a Sustainable Traveler?

Sustainable travelers understand that their actions create an ecological and social footprint on the places they visit. Be mindful of the destinations , accommodations, and activities you choose, and choose destinations that are closer to home or extend your length of stay to save resources. Consider switching to more environmentally friendly modes of transportation such as bicycles, trains, or walking while on vacation. Look into supporting locally run tour operations or local family-owned businesses rather than large international chains. Don’t engage in activities that harm wildlife, such as elephant riding or tiger petting , and opt instead for a wildlife sanctuary (or better yet, attend a beach clean up or plan an hour or two of some volunteer work that interests you). Leave natural areas as you found them by taking out what you carry in, not littering, and respecting the local residents and their traditions.

Most of us travel to experience the world. New cultures, new traditions, new sights and smells and tastes are what makes traveling so rewarding. It is our responsibility as travelers to ensure that these destinations are protected not only for the sake of the communities who rely upon them, but for a future generation of travelers.

Sustainable tourism has many different layers, most of which oppose the more traditional forms of mass tourism that are more likely to lead to environmental damage, loss of culture, pollution, negative economic impacts, and overtourism.

Ecotourism highlights responsible travel to natural areas that focus on environmental conservation. A sustainable tourism body supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation by managing its own property responsibly and respecting or enhancing nearby natural protected areas (or areas of high biological value). Most of the time, this looks like a financial compensation to conservation management, but it can also include making sure that tours, attractions, and infrastructure don’t disturb natural ecosystems.

On the same page, wildlife interactions with free roaming wildlife should be non-invasive and managed responsibly to avoid negative impacts to the animals. As a traveler, prioritize visits to accredited rescue and rehabilitation centers that focus on treating, rehoming, or releasing animals back into the wild, such as the Jaguar Rescue Center in Costa Rica.

Soft Tourism

Soft tourism may highlight local experiences, local languages, or encourage longer time spent in individual areas. This is opposed to hard tourism featuring short duration of visits, travel without respecting culture, taking lots of selfies , and generally feeling a sense of superiority as a tourist.

Many World Heritage Sites, for example, pay special attention to protection, preservation, and sustainability by promoting soft tourism. Peru’s famed Machu Picchu was previously known as one of the world’s worst victims of overtourism , or a place of interest that has experienced negative effects (such as traffic or litter) from excessive numbers of tourists. The attraction has taken steps to control damages in recent years, requiring hikers to hire local guides on the Inca Trail, specifying dates and time on visitor tickets to negate overcrowding, and banning all single use plastics from the site.

Traveling during a destination’s shoulder season , the period between the peak and low seasons, typically combines good weather and low prices without the large crowds. This allows better opportunities to immerse yourself in a new place without contributing to overtourism, but also provides the local economy with income during a normally slow season.

Rural Tourism

Rural tourism applies to tourism that takes place in non-urbanized areas such as national parks, forests, nature reserves, and mountain areas. This can mean anything from camping and glamping to hiking and WOOFing. Rural tourism is a great way to practice sustainable tourism, since it usually requires less use of natural resources.

Community Tourism

Community-based tourism involves tourism where local residents invite travelers to visit their own communities. It sometimes includes overnight stays and often takes place in rural or underdeveloped countries. This type of tourism fosters connection and enables tourists to gain an in-depth knowledge of local habitats, wildlife, and traditional cultures — all while providing direct economic benefits to the host communities. Ecuador is a world leader in community tourism, offering unique accommodation options like the Sani Lodge run by the local Kichwa indigenous community, which offers responsible cultural experiences in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.

" Transport-related CO 2 Emissions of the Tourism Sector – Modelling Results ." World Tourism Organization and International Transport Forum , 2019, doi:10.18111/9789284416660

" 45 Arrivals Every Second ." The World Counts.

Becken, Susanne. " Water Equity- Contrasting Tourism Water Use With That of the Local Community ." Water Resources and Industry , vol. 7-8, 2014, pp. 9-22, doi:10.1016/j.wri.2014.09.002

Kutty, Govindan M., and T.K. Raghavan Nair. " Periyar Tiger Reserve: Poachers Turned Gamekeepers ." Food and Agriculture Organization.

" GSTC Destination Criteria ." Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Rinzin, Chhewang, et al. " Ecotourism as a Mechanism for Sustainable Development: the Case of Bhutan ." Environmental Sciences , vol. 4, no. 2, 2007, pp. 109-125, doi:10.1080/15693430701365420

" Booking.com Reveals Key Findings From Its 2019 Sustainable Travel Report ." Booking.com.

" Economic Impact Reports ." World Travel and Tourism Council .

Costa Rica’s Keys to Success as a Sustainable Tourism Pioneer
How to Be a Sustainable Traveler: 18 Tips
Regenerative Travel: What It Is and How It's Outperforming Sustainable Tourism
What Is Ecotourism? Definition, Examples, and Pros and Cons
What Is Experiential Tourism?
What Is Community-Based Tourism? Definition and Popular Destinations
3 More Rules for Sustainable Tourism
What Is Overtourism and Why Is It Such a Big Problem?
How to Become a Geo-Traveler
What Is Voluntourism? Does It Help or Harm Communities?
The World Doesn't Want Your Inukshuk
8 Incredible Rainforest Destinations Around the World
'Scattered Hotels' Are Saving Historic Villages in Italy and Beyond
15 Travel Destinations Being Ruined by Tourism
How to Make Travel More Sustainable
What's Special About the Faroe Islands

Sustainable tourism

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

Description

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...

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...

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...

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 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 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 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.

A sustainable tourism sector can help to reduce global poverty without negatively impacting the environment.

Is it possible to be a ‘sustainable tourist’? 12 ways to make a positive impact on your travels

Facebook Twitter Print Email

After a period of plummeting tourism numbers during the pandemic, tourism is having a resurgence. This is good news for many workers and businesses, but it could be bad for the planet. Here is a selection of ways tourists can ensure that their holidays don’t harm the environment.

There are many positive aspects to tourism. Around two billion people travel each year for tourism purposes. Travel and tourism connect people and bring the world closer through shared experiences, cultural awareness and community building. It provides jobs, spurs regional development, and is a key driver for socio-economic progress.

However, there is often a downside; Many popular destinations are threatened by increasing pollution, environmental hazards, damage to heritage sites and overuse of resources. And that’s without factoring the pollution caused by travel to and from these destinations.

So, with that in mind here are some tips that will help you to enjoy your trip, and leave with the confidence that your favoured tourist destination will not be damaged by your presence, once you return home.

1. Ditch single-use plastics

Often used for less than 15 minutes, single-use plastic items can take more than 1,000 years to degrade. Many of us are switching to sustainable options in our daily lives, and we can take the same attitude when we’re on the road. By choosing reusable bottles and bags wherever you go, you can help ensure there is less plastic waste in the ocean and other habitats.

2. Be ‘water wise’

On the whole, tourists use far more water than local residents. With a growing number of places experiencing water scarcity, the choices you make can help ensure people have adequate access to water in the future. By foregoing a daily change of sheets and towels during hotel stays, we can save millions of litres of water each year.

3. Buy local

When you buy local, you help boost the local economy, benefit local communities, and help to reduce the destination’s carbon footprint from transporting the goods. This is also true at mealtimes, so enjoy fresh, locally grown produce every chance you get.

4. Use an ethical operator

Tour operations involve people, logistics, vendors, transportation and much more. Each link in the chain can impact the environment - positively or negatively. If you prefer to leave the planning to someone else, be sure to pick an operator that prioritizes the environment, uses resources efficiently and respects local culture.

5. ‘Please don’t feed the animals’

Sharing food with wildlife or getting close enough to do so increases the chances of spreading diseases like cold, flu and pneumonia from humans to animals. Also, when animals get used to receiving food from humans, their natural behaviours are altered, and they become dependent on people for survival. In some cases, it can also lead to human-animal conflict.

6. And don’t eat them either!

By creating the demand, consuming endangered or exotic animals leads to an increase in poaching, trafficking and exploitation of animals. Besides the harm done to the individual animal on your plate, irresponsible dining can contribute to the extinction of species already threatened by climate change and habitat loss. Keep this in mind when shopping for souvenirs as well, and steer clear of products made from endangered wildlife.

7. Share a ride

Transportation is a major contributor to the carbon footprint from tourism. Instead of private taxis, explore using public transportation like trains, buses and shared cabs. You can also ride a bicycle, which offers a convenient and cheaper way to explore and learn about a place.

8. Consider a homestay

Staying with a local resident or family is a nature-friendly option that allows you to get up close and personal with local culture and customs. Staying at local homestays can uplift communities by providing income while giving you a peek into different ways of life.

Dig into the local cuisine. You'll delight your taste buds and support the local economy...

9. Do your homework

Before your travel, educate yourself about your destination. Doing so will allow you to better immerse yourself in local traditions and practices and appreciate things that might have gone unnoticed otherwise. With the right information, you can explore a destination in a more sensitive manner and surprise yourself with new adventures and discoveries.

10. Visit national parks and sanctuaries

Exploring nature and wildlife through national parks is an intimate way to learn about the animals and their ecosystems first hand. In some cases, your entrance fee supports conservation efforts that protect species and landscapes and preserve these natural spaces for future visitors to enjoy.

11. Don’t leave a trace

You can make a mark by not leaving a mark on your vacation destination. Put garbage in its place to avoid litter, and don’t remove or alter anything without permission. Let’s make sure we leave only soft footprints, and not the environmental kind.

12. Tell your friends

Now that you’re ready to travel in eco-friendly style, it’s time spread the word! Inform fellow travellers, friends and family about how sustainable tourism benefits local people by enhancing their livelihoods and well-being, and helps all of us by safeguarding our beautiful environment.

UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

Share this content.

Share this article on facebook
Share this article on twitter
Share this article on linkedin
Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals – Journey to 2030
All Regions
ISBN 978-92-844-1940-1
N PAG. 978-92-844-1940-1

A joint effort by UNWTO, UNDP and other partners, Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals – Journey to 2030 aims to build knowledge, and empower and inspire tourism stakeholders to take necessary action to accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable tourism sector by aligning policies, business operations and investments with the SDGs. The publication intends to disentangle the links between tourism and the SDGs and provides recommendations on how to steer the road towards 2030, 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 corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of 60 global tourism companies.

Hand-Picked Top-Read Stories

Vision Zero: A Comprehensive Guide

Environment
Transportation

Advantages of Public Transport: 20 Reasons to Make the Shift Today

Planet earth

CNG Fuel: A Comprehensive Guide

Trending tags.

Zoning Laws
Zero-waste living
zero-waste kitchen
workplace safety
workplace charging
WineTasting
Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable Tourism Practices and Destinations: Examples from Around the World

Sustainable Tourism Practices: Sustainable tourism is a growing trend in the travel industry that focuses on minimizing the environmental and social impact of tourism while providing economic benefits to local communities. From eco-friendly accommodations to responsible travel practices, there are many ways that tourism can be made more sustainable. Around the world, destinations and businesses are implementing sustainable tourismthat support conservation, reduce carbon emissions, and promote local cultural heritage. These efforts not only benefit the planet, but also provide a unique and authentic travel experience for visitors. In this context, we will explore some of the sustainable tourism and destinations from around the world that are leading the way in promoting responsible and ethical tourism.

Here are 40 examples of sustainable tourism and destinations from around the world:

The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – A protected wildlife sanctuary that limits visitor numbers to prevent environmental damage and promote sustainable tourism.
Costa Rica – A country that has made a strong commitment to sustainable tourism, with a focus on eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and conservation efforts.
Bhutan – A country that measures its economic success through a Gross National Happiness index, which includes the protection of the environment and cultural heritage.
Norway – A country that is known for its sustainable tourism, including eco-friendly transportation, green energy, and sustainable tourism certification programs.
The Netherlands – A country that is promoting sustainable tourism through initiatives such as green hotels, bike-friendly cities, and nature conservation programs.
New Zealand – A country that has a strong focus on sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism, conservation efforts, and responsible travel practices.
The Amazon Rainforest, Brazil – A region that has adopted sustainable tourism to promote conservation and support local communities.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia – A protected marine park that promotes sustainable tourism, such as reducing carbon emissions and protecting the natural environment.
Kenya – A country that has implemented sustainable tourism, including wildlife conservation, community-based tourism, and eco-friendly lodges.
Iceland – A country that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-friendly transportation, renewable energy, and eco-certification programs.
South Africa – A country that is known for its conservation efforts, including wildlife protection and community-based tourism.
The Azores, Portugal – A group of islands that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-tourism, whale watching, and nature conservation programs.
The Serengeti, Tanzania – A protected wildlife sanctuary that promotes responsible tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Cook Islands, Pacific Ocean – A group of islands that is committed to sustainable tourism, including protecting the environment and supporting local communities.
Thailand – A country that has implemented sustainable practices, including community-based tourism, wildlife conservation, and responsible travel.
The Faroe Islands, Denmark – A group of islands that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-friendly transportation, sustainable seafood, and nature conservation programs.
The Lake District, England – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Annapurna Region, Nepal – A region that is promoting sustainable tourism through community-based tourism, conservation efforts, and responsible trekking practices.
The Maasai Mara, Kenya – A protected wildlife reserve that promotes sustainable practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Blue Mountains, Australia – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
Guna Yala, Panama – A protected indigenous territory that promotes sustainable tourism, such as supporting traditional livelihoods and preserving cultural heritage.
The Isle of Eigg, Scotland – An island that is promoting sustainable tourism through renewable energy, eco-friendly accommodations, and community-based tourism initiatives.
The San Blas Islands, Panama – A group of islands that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and responsible travel practices.
The Burren, Ireland – A protected national park that promotes sustainable practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Bay of Fundy, Canada – A protected marine park that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Lofoten Islands, Norway – An archipelago that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-friendly transportation, responsible fishing, and community-based tourism initiatives.
The Tongariro National Park, New Zealand – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Danube Delta, Romania – A protected wetland that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as eco-tourism and responsible travel practices.
The Douro Valley, Portugal – A region that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-tourism, responsible wine tourism, and community-based tourism initiatives.
The Lake Titicaca, Peru/Bolivia – A protected lake that promotes sustainable tourism, such as preserving cultural heritage and supporting traditional livelihoods.
The Everglades, United States – A protected wetland that promotes sustainable tourism, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Cinque Terre, Italy – A protected coastal area that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Mekong Delta, Vietnam – A region that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-tourism, responsible travel practices, and community-based tourism initiatives.
The Lake District, Chile – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Sinharaja Forest Reserve , Sri Lanka – A protected rainforest that promotes sustainable tourism, such as eco-tourism and responsible travel practices.
The Jasper National Park, Canada – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Arctic, various countries – A region that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-tourism, responsible travel practices, and nature conservation programs.
The Torres del Paine National Park, Chile – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
The Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as eco-tourism and responsible trekking practices.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica – A protected cloud forest that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as eco-tourism and nature conservation programs.

These are just a few more examples of the many destinations and businesses around the world that are adopting sustainable tourism. With a growing focus on responsible and ethical tourism, sustainable tourism is becoming an increasingly important industry worldwide.

Benefits of Ecotourism: How Responsible Travel Can Make a Positive Impact

20 Sustainable Tourism Practices and Destinations in India to Visit Now

Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable Tourism in Corcovado National Park

Reducing waste while traveling

Sustainable Tourism Education Program: Empowering Communities and Preserving Environments

English (CA)
English (UK)
Deutsch (DE)
Deutsch (CH)

30+ Sustainable travel statistics & trends you need to know

Editor’s picks: the stats you need to know.

Searches for “sustainable travel” have increased by 191% from 2020 to 2023.
Traveling in business class has a bigger carbon footprint, since first-class seats consume four times as much as economy.
The sustainable travel market in the business travel & tourism sector is expected to grow by $335.93 billion during 2023 - 2027.
Globally, flights produced over 600 million tonnes of CO2 in 2022. Sources: Google Trends , Greenbiz, Research and Markets , Statista Research

What is sustainable travel and tourism?

reducing greenhouse gas emissions by choosing more sustainable transport options
offsetting pollution and harm to biodiversity
reducing the negative impact on cultural heritage
positively impacting the local economy at your destination

30 travel statistics and trends that tell you everything about sustainable traveling

In 2022, the sustainable international tourism industry worldwide was estimated at $172.4 billion and expected to grow to $374.2 billion by 2028.
A global survey in 2020 showed that Gen Z (56%) and millennial (51%) travelers are the most concerned with sustainable travel. Gen X (49%) and Baby Boomers (46%) are the least concerned about it.
77% of travelers aged between 18-29 say that sustainability impacts their travel decisions, compared to 48% of travelers aged 51 and above.
76% of travelers surveyed in 2023 say they want to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months.

How and why do travelers approach sustainable traveling?

43% of travelers surveyed in Booking.com’s 2023 Sustainable Travel Report say they would be willing to pay more for more sustainable travel options.
69% of travelers want the money they spend when traveling to go back into the local economy.
59% of travelers will pay to offset their carbon emissions when they travel.
50% of travelers generally choose sustainable travel options because they care about the impact of their travels. Another 26% say sustainable travel options give them a better travel experience.
46% are concerned about excess waste.
38% worry about threats to local wildlife and natural habitats.
30% care about overtourism.
29% want to reduce CO2 emissions.

What about sustainable accommodation?

Hotel and other rental accommodation guests are willing to pay up to 75% more for an eco-friendly option.
73% of travelers are more likely to choose accommodation providers that advertise their sustainability practices.
65% of travelers would feel better about staying in a particular hotel or accommodation if they knew it had a sustainable certification or met certain sustainability requirements.
27% of travelers say they would like the choice to opt out of daily room cleaning in order to reduce water usage.
48% of travelers said the hardest part of traveling sustainably was choosing a sustainable accommodation option.
59% of travelers would like a filter option to make the decision of staying in sustainable accommodation easier.
Research has found that the hotel industry would need to reduce its carbon emissions by 66% per room by 2030, and by 90% per room by 2050, to make sure that the growth forecasted for the industry does not cause an increase in its carbon emissions.

Who should be accountable for sustainable travel?

Employees agree that corporations need to take responsibility for making corporate travel more sustainable.
51% of travelers feel there aren’t enough sustainable travel options available.
48% of travelers say it’s important to them to choose travel companies that have strong sustainability policies.

What stops travelers from traveling sustainably?

“There aren’t enough sustainable travel options available.” (51%)
“I want economic incentives to choose more sustainable options.” (49%)
“I don’t know where to find such options.” (44%)
“I don’t trust that the options I find are truly sustainable.” (39%)
In addition, 53% of travelers said that sustainable travel options are too expensive.

How do business travelers care about sustainability?

36% increased their environmentally friendly commitments
20% didn’t have reduction targets but have now start considering them
15% kept the same commitments they had
15% didn’t have targets, and don’t expect to implement new ones
12% are unsure of their companies’ targets
2% decreased the commitments they had
At corporations with sustainability programs, 92% of executives report that sustainability investment is already increasing.
44% of corporate travel managers in North America said that travel sustainability was an increased priority for them in 2023 and beyond.
Business travelers are thinking sustainably as well. In a 2022 survey, 53% of business travelers said they made a conscious effort to adopt more sustainable travel habits during their trips.
According to a 2023 survey, 19% of corporate organizations had changed travel policies to reduce carbon emissions goals, and 35% of companies were reducing future business travel for sustainability reasons.

Final thoughts on sustainable travel

Small steps. Big impact. Start offsetting your business travel today.

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

See our platform in action . Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, TravelPerk makes business travel simpler to manage with more flexibility, full control of spending with easy reporting, and options to offset your carbon footprint.
Find hundreds of resources on all things business travel, from tips on traveling more sustainably, to advice on setting up a business travel policy, and managing your expenses. Our latest e-books and blog posts have you covered.
Never miss another update. Stay in touch with us on social for the latest product releases, upcoming events, and articles fresh off the press.

The 5 best carbon footprint tracker apps

Sustainability Statistics Photo 1 Scaled

60+ Business sustainability statistics (relevant in 2024)

Why sustainability (and flexibility) matters for business in 2024

Business Travel Management
Offset Carbon Footprint
Flexible travel
Corporate Travel Resources
Corporate Travel Glossary
For Travel Managers
For Finance Teams
For Travelers
Careers Hiring
User Reviews
Integrations
Trust Center
Help Center
Privacy Policy
Cookies Policy
Modern Slavery Act | Statement
Supplier Code of Conduct

Fascinating facts and stats about sustainable travel

Travel Travel Inspiration Sustainable Travel Sustainable Travel Trends

The world has a finite number of resources. Mass tourism has been threatening the purity of the world’s natural wonders for quite some time now. Travelers and travel industry operators continue to turn a blind eye towards the negative effects tourism has on the environment, local communities and cultures.

This is where sustainable travel comes into play.

What is Sustainable Travel?

Sustainable travel is a solution wherein tourism is carried out long-term without negatively impacting the natural and cultural environments. It is about valuing the environment and making sure our natural resources are not heavily exhausted. It is when travelers are aware of their part in the rising pollution levels caused by travel and how it impacts local wildlife, people, small businesses, and native cultures.

Who Is Responsible For Sustainable Tourism?

Keep in mind that sustainable tourism consists of intangible services put together behind-the-scenes. Without government regulations, sustainable tourism is driven mostly by passionate individuals who volunteer their time and prowess to simply “do the right thing”.

To answer the original question….

1. Jury’s Still Out

A group of individuals were asked about the accountable party for bolstering positive environmental changes vis-a-vis travel. 26% said the government, 23% said tourism authorities, 20% said us humans, and 6% said online travel agents. (avantio.com)

2. The Time to Act is NOW

Pointing fingers at each other simply won’t do, we have to act now! A study conducted by Booking.com showed that 72% of travelers thought sustainable travel was important, and that we, as travelers, need to act now to save the planet and its very finite resources.

3. 87% of Travelers Want to Travel Sustainably

The same study conducted by Booking.com shows that 87% of global travelers wish to travel sustainably right away.

4. Fly Out Only When Necessary

Another study that involved European consumers showed that 40% have decided to stop flying to alleviate climate change.

5. Sustainable Travel is the Future

It is safe to assume the % of global travelers who wish to adopt sustainable travel in future years will only increase. A study conducted by Booking.com showed only 62% of global travelers interested in sustainable travel in 2016. This number jumped to 87% after the pandemic, and will only continue to grow in 2022 with increasing awareness of tourism’s negative impact on the environment.

What has inspired sustainable travel?

6. the pandemic effect.

Some day the “pandemic effect” finally tipped sustainable travel into impactful action, and they’re not wrong. 51% of travelers in a study said that the pandemic made them want to travel more sustainably in the future. (avantio.com)

7. Excessive Waste & Loss of Habitat

Other factors that concerned almost 46% of them was excessive waste generation. 38% were also concerned about the increasing threats to natural and wildlife habitats across the globe. (avantio.com)

8. CO₂ Emissions & Overtourism

The rising levels of CO2 emissions concerned over 29% of participants, while another 30% were worried about overtourism. (avantio.com)

9. Back To Nature

Many people started traveling again in 2021 and over the past year, almost 60% of travelers said the beauty of nature was what inspired them to think about the environment and the gruelling effects their trip may have had on the environment. (luggagehero.com)

10. The Guilt is Overwhelming

32% of travelers felt guilty about the adverse effects their trip had on the environment. (luggagehero.com)

11. Stumbling Upon Hidden Gems

40% of travelers sought to find lesser-known, offbeat locations in remote areas (away from the crowds) and were very happy with what they found. (luggagehero.com)

12. Overcrowded Attractions

69% of them have gone as far as to say they’d avoid visiting (and promoting) popular attractions so they’re not adding to the already skyrocketing overcrowded challenges. (luggagehero.com)

13. Bringing Back Local Tourism

54% of travelers saw a visible impact on local tourism, which had taken a serious hit ever since the pandemic struck. This helped them think more about the local tourist market and focus on helping them recover. (luggagehero.com)

14. Affected Locals & Their Livelihood

This may not occur to most at first, but upon contemplation, it becomes apparent that unsustainable tourism affects the locals and their livelihoods. 47% of travelers decided to adopt sustainable travel methods and saw the positive impact it had on the local society and economy. (luggagehero.com)

15. Local Culture & Community

73% of travelers wish to have more authentic experiences while traveling to places closeby and afar that represent the local culture and community. (luggagehero.com)

16. Cultural Heritage Preservation

84% of them think that it is important that we spend some time understanding the local culture and the involved steps of cultural heritage preservation. This will help us appreciate other cultures and imbibe a sense of responsibility wherever we go! (luggagehero.com)

17. Economic Impact on Local Society

76% of travelers believe that the economic impact of the travel and tourism industry must be spread equally among all levels of society. The way to go about this is avoiding overcrowded tourist spots and seeking out hidden gems unheard of. (luggagehero.com)

18. Eco-Friendly Accommodation

30% of travelers have already started looking for and booking eco-friendly accommodations over luxurious hotels. (luggagehero.com)

Barriers Still Remain

19. actions speak louder than words.

Looking back at the years 2020 and 2021, it is evident that even though they wanted to, 40% of global travelers did not stay in eco-friendly accommodation when on holiday. (booking.com)

20. Lack of Awareness 36% of travelers didn’t know eco-friendly accommodation was a thing, 32% went looking for such options (to no avail), and 31% didn’t know where to go looking for them. (booking.com)

21. lack of resources.

46% of travelers believe that there are just not enough sustainable travel options out there, even in 2021. So yes, barriers still remain. But we mustn’t lose sight of the main objective in mind- protecting the planet. (booking.com)

22. Lack of Recycling Facilities

53% expressed annoyance when the accommodation they stayed at did not have recycling facilities. (drifttravel.com)

23. An Inconvenience?

While 75% of Americans claim to make more sustainable decisions while traveling in the future, 48.3% of them will only do so if it doesn’t inconvenience them. (vacationer.com)

24. Is Sustainability Top of the List?

3 out of every 4 American adults will be conscientious about travel plans in 2022 but only 5% of them think sustainability and carbon footprint are trumped by other factors, like cost. (vacationer.com)

25. Cost, Time & Convenience

An overwhelming figure of 61.7% of travelers stated that cost was the most important factor that came into play while booking trips. This was immediately followed by time and convenience. (vacationer.com)

26. A Small Price To Pay

Even so, it would appear that over 71% of adult Americans would spend more on their vacation if it meant lower carbon footprints. An astonishing 33.2% of them said they are willing to spend up to $250 extra while almost 9% are willing to spend between $250 and $500. (vacationer.com)

A Step In The Right Direction

What are some of the day-to-day commitments we can adopt to help the environment?

27. Reducing General Waste

84% of participants in a survey think we can start by reducing general waste. This includes separating waste, recycling, using reusable grocery bags, water bottles, and more. (booking.com)

28. Reducing Energy Consumption

83% of participants in the same survey believe reducing energy consumption is another easy way to start. Simply by keeping check of your electronic appliances and making sure you turn them off when not in use is all there is to it. (booking.com)

29. Waste Management at Home

When it comes to waste management at home, we all have a part to play. 49% believe recycling is key and 42% believe reducing food waste is top priority. Both are fairly easy to implement across all households as well, so it should be a good place to start. (avantio.com)

30. Green Modes of Transportation

In the same survey, 79% of participants believe that using environment-friendly modes of transportation will be beneficial. Walking and cycling to your destination instead of using personal cars is ideal. For longer routes, using public transportation might work. (avantio.com)

31. Say No to Daily Room Service

When on vacation, 27% of participants believe that opting out of daily room service might be a good idea. Cleaning up after yourselves whenever necessary might help reduce the need for daily room cleaning that ultimately helps reduce water wastage. (avantio.com)

32. Reusable Facilities

In the same study, another 27% believed that reusable plates and cutlery can be used for meals and room service.

33. Sustainable Travel Decisions

According to a survey released on April 22 (in honor of Earth Day), 39% of participants claim they always manage to make sustainable travel decisions and that this is not an action to put off for the next year. (travelagentcentral.com)

"How Are They Being Green?"

...one might ask.

34. Turning Off Electronic Appliances

Over the past 12 months, while on vacation, 45% of travelers made sure to turn off their electronic appliances when they left their rooms. (drifttravel.com)

35. Reusable Bottles

43% made sure to buy reusable water bottles before their trip so they didn’t have to buy plastic bottles en-route or at the destination. (drifttravel.com)

36. Shopping at Local Stores

42% of them made sure to shop at small shops in an effort to support the local economy. 33% of them booked local activities to support the local community. (drifttravel.com)

Obstacles For Sustainable Travel

37. room for improvement.

While 39% of travelers manage to engage in sustainable travel, 48% indicated that they rarely or never manage to travel sustainably. Clearly even though there are promising strides for a sustainable tomorrow, there is plenty of room for improvement. (travelagentcentral.com)

38. Extra Expenditure

When asked what the top obstacles were for practicing sustainable travel, 42% of participants in a survey claimed it was the extra expenditure that came with it. (travelagentcentral.com)

39. Lack of Literature

32% claimed they have heard of sustainable travel but don’t know how to make it second nature, suggesting a lack of information. (travelagentcentral.com)

40. Lack of Green Travel Options

22% think that sustainable travel demands too much extra time and effort. Unless we have better and cheaper sustainable travel options, it is not feasible. (travelagentcentral.com)

41. Limited Travel Destinations

Another 22% of travelers think that sustainable travel limits your destination options. By restricting flight travel, your destinations are limited to a domestic radius which is not ideal for those who wish to travel abroad and experience other cultures. (travelagentcentral.com)

42. Shift From Luxuries

20% believe that we have all been accustomed to a certain level of comfort and luxury. Giving that up for the sake of a greener planet is debatably hard. (travelagentcentral.com)

43. Booking Sites Should Label Their Sustainable Rentals

There is a lack of sustainable travel options- that’s already been established. 40% of travelers think that all booking sites should label their sustainable properties (like vacation rentals). (avantio.com)

44. Online Filter For Sustainable Options

37% of travelers think that all online travel bookings should have a filter for sustainable options to incorporate sustainability in the booking process more seamlessly. (avantio.com)

45. Lack of Electric Planes & Trains

A lack of green modes of transportation is a serious concern. The good news is that 46% of travelers said that there is a need for these modes of transportation in the future- be it electric planes or trains- and they’d be more than happy to use them. (travelagentcentral.com)

46. Lack of Cost-Effective Options

As “happy” as travelers are to use them, we need to consider feasibility. 44% of travelers think that sustainable travel needs to be more cost effective so everyone can start using them. (travelagentcentral.com)

Surprising Stats on Sustainable Cities

The global cities everyone thinks of getting whisked away to - be it Paris or New York- are some of the world’s worst polluters. There are some cities, however, that have committed to creating a greener future for their citizens. Here are some interesting statistics to read through:

47. San Francisco, California

San Francisco was the first US city that banned plastic bags and utensils in 2019. This city goes one step further to ensure 80% of their waste is either recycled, composted, or reused. (lonelyplanet.com)

48. Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver is aiming to become the “world’s greenest city”. Almost 95% of the city’s electricity is supplied by renewable sources (90% hydroelectricity). (greencitytimes.com)

49. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen works towards becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral city, and has made good headway already. Only 2% of the city’s waste goes to landfills. They recycle the rest of the waste, or it is converted into energy at the city’s new waste-to-energy power plant. (lonelyplanet.com)

50. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has been working on sustainability for a while now. This city managed to reduce their energy consumption by 28% between 2012 and 2017. By 2030, they aim to bring down CO2 emissions by 60%, and if all goes according to plan, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050! (sustaineurope.com)

51. Singapore

Singapore bagged the title of “most sustainable Asian city” in 2018 despite its ever-growing population. Many of the city’s beloved attractions (like Gardens by the Bay and Jewel Changi) were constructed around the core principles of sustainability, and by the year 2030, they aim to make 80% of the city’s architecture eco-friendly. (lonelyplanet.com)

52. Portland, Oregon

Portland has always been about low-impact and sustainable living. Almost 50% of its power comes from renewable energy. 25% of the population commutes to work by bike, Flex Cars (carpooling) or public transport. 67% of their waste is treated locally and composted. (urbangreenbluegrids.com)

53. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is an increasingly green city. More than 10 hectares of the city are pedestrianized. Their state-of-the-art waste management system has brought down the waste sent to landfill by 80%. They aim to bring this number down further: waste of 60 kg per person per year by 2025! (europa.eu)

54. Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki’s approach towards sustainability is most evident in its tourism by increasing their eco-friendly accommodation. Almost 75% of their hotel rooms have been certified as environmentally friendly already, and the rest have a rough environmental plan in place to adopt it in the near future. (lux.com)

Smrithi Jacob

Is an avid reader, writer, and dreamer. She is constantly in pursuit of portals to travel to interesting places afar and likes to experience new cultures through her writing. Give her a city unheard of and a giant mug of coffee, and she’s good to go!

Be a smart traveler

The first to know about trending destinations, travel deals, tips and all things travel.

December 2022 - You are accessing an archived version of our website. This website is no longer maintained or updated. The Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform has been migrated here: https://sdgs.un.org/

You will be redirected to the new Partnership Platform in 10 seconds.

A/70/472 - Sustainable development: report of the Second Committee [Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish]
A/RES/70/193 - International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, 2017 [Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish]
A/RES/70/196 - Sustainable tourism and sustainable development in Central America [Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish]
A/RES/70/200 - Global Code of Ethics for Tourism [Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish]
Compendium of Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

The promise and challenges of sustainable travel products

An increasing number of consumers are indicating a preference for more sustainable travel options. Image: Joshua Earle/Unsplash

.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} Jesko Neuenburg

David walfisch, natalie nehme, maksim soshkin.

.chakra .wef-9dduvl{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-9dduvl{font-size:1.125rem;}} Explore and monitor how .chakra .wef-15eoq1r{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;color:#F7DB5E;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-15eoq1r{font-size:1.125rem;}} Travel and Tourism is affecting economies, industries and global issues

A hand holding a looking glass by a lake

.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;color:#2846F8;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{font-size:1.125rem;}} Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale

Stay up to date:.

Listen to the article

The Travel and Tourism sector accounts for an estimated 11% of global emissions.
While surveys reveal that 71% of travellers intend to travel more sustainably, there are still significant gaps between consumers’ intentions and behaviour.
Here are the roadblocks that get in the way of intention and reality and some ways to generate a more virtuous and sustainable cycle for the industry.

As COP27 kicks off, the urgency and scale of addressing the global climate and environmental challenges are once again taking centre stage. Accounting for an estimated 11% of global emissions, a share that is expected to grow, the Travel and Tourism (T&T) sector will play a critical role in meeting global climate goals.

In this context, governments and investors have mounting pressure on the sector to reduce emissions and increase sustainability through more stringent emissions standards, green tax incentives, and growing ESG-linked investments. Moreover, an increasing number of consumers are indicating a preference for more sustainable travel options.

In response, many travel companies, such as airlines , have made improving sustainability and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions key business goals. However, to achieve these goals and transition into a more sustainable future, T&T companies must successfully develop products that enable more sustainable travel choices.

Split of GHG emissions by industry (pre-pandemic)

A rising demand for sustainable travel

Recent studies and survey results indicate that travellers increasingly value sustainable travel, indicating an opportunity for sustainable travel products. In parallel, a survey by Booking.com found that four out of five global travellers agreed that sustainable travel is a priority for them, with 71% intending to travel more sustainably and 78% aiming to stay at a sustainable property at least once a year.

Concerning the environment, specifically, 69% of respondents to an Expedia survey confirmed that they want to lessen their environmental footprint, and 75% said they would like to use more environmentally-friendly modes of transport.

However, while travellers seem to indicate an increased willingness and demand for environmentally-friendly and sustainable products, the uptake of sustainable travel products anecdotally does not show the same accelerated trend just yet. As sustainable offerings are relatively in their infancy, there is limited research on actual purchasing behaviour. Furthermore, recent surveys revealed that travellers prefer companies’ sustainability practices and offerings to be more transparent, intuitive, and easy to access.

Roadblocks to sustainable consumer behaviour

Additionally, industry interviews and research we are conducting have helped identify a range of roadblocks that explain the gap between consumers’ stated intentions and what they are doing in practice.

These roadblocks can be classified or clustered into six main categories:

1) Limited availability - The roadblock of availability centres around the lack of a sustainable product substitute within a company’s offering. This includes limited overall sustainable product options as well as sustainable products that are competitive with more traditional offerings.

2) Lack of awareness - This roadblock refers to travellers’ lack of awareness of sustainability challenges in T&T, sustainability behaviours that can help overcome these challenges, and sustainable products on offer.

3) Low credibility - Low credibility refers to consumers wanting a greater degree of reassurance and information about the claims companies make concerning the sustainability of their products. Product aspects like transparency, coherent reporting, certification and verified labelling are all tied to improving credibility.

4) Price premium - Generally, sustainable travel options are deemed more expensive than their traditional counterparts. As the willingness to pay a premium for a more sustainable product varies by customer segment and is ever-evolving, customers often drop out from purchasing the alternative due to the higher price.

5) Cumbersome purchase experience - Customers are often discouraged from purchasing sustainable products if the process is burdensome and counterintuitive.

6) Lack of rewards/acknowledgment - This roadblock refers to the need to make customers feel rewarded for their efforts, both physical and emotional. Tools in this space help people facilitate the publishing of their sustainability efforts on social media or provide recognition in physical environments.

Addressing the say-do-gaps

Companies that can provide sustainable offerings that address these say-do-gaps will be better positioned to meet customer needs. As a result, a virtuous cycle can be generated in which increased purchase of sustainable products leads to greater company performance, reinforcing further investment into such options. In turn, the increasing supply of sustainable products would make it easier for travellers to behave sustainably, helping the T&T sector in its net zero transition.

To make a case for investment in sustainable travel products, Accenture and the Forum are working to explore the say-do-gap further, provide an overview of existing sustainable travel products and configurations, develop recommendations for creating sustainable products, and present the industry with a call to action. The full report on this topic will be published in December.

Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

The Agenda .chakra .wef-n7bacu{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-weight:400;} Weekly

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

.chakra .wef-1dtnjt5{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;} More on Industries in Depth .chakra .wef-zh0r2a{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;white-space:normal;vertical-align:middle;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:0.75rem;border-radius:0.25rem;font-weight:700;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;line-height:1.2;-webkit-letter-spacing:1.25px;-moz-letter-spacing:1.25px;-ms-letter-spacing:1.25px;letter-spacing:1.25px;background:none;padding:0px;color:#B3B3B3;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;}@media screen and (min-width:37.5rem){.chakra .wef-zh0r2a{font-size:0.875rem;}}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-zh0r2a{font-size:1rem;}} See all

Why having low-carbon buildings also makes financial sense

Guy Grainger

September 18, 2024

Microplastics: Are we facing a new health crisis – and what can be done about it?

Joe Myers and Madeleine North

September 3, 2024

5 must-reads that will get you up to speed on the energy transition

David Elliott

August 19, 2024

From source to stomach: How blockchain tracks food across the supply chain and saves lives

Matthew Van Niekerk

August 12, 2024

From blocked views to free food: How holiday destinations in Japan, Denmark and more are tackling overtourism

Gabi Thesing, Ian Shine and David Elliott

July 25, 2024

How these 5 steel producers are taking action to decarbonize steel production

Mandy Chan and Daniel Boero Vargas

June 25, 2024

28 Sustainable Tourism Statistics To Share The Goodness (2024)

Have you ever heard of the term sustainable tourism? Or maybe you haven’t understood its concept? Well, simply put, sustainable tourism is a detailed concept of a very special tourism experience.

It covers everything from social, economic, and environmental changes in order to create a travel experience that wouldn’t harm the environment.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel and tourism industry was booming!

The situation is currently dire but looks set to improve once safety measures and restrictions are lifted worldwide.

Even so, how many people are actually looking to travel sustainably? Let’s take a look at the numbers behind this trend.

Sustainable Tourism Facts & Trends

1. 87% of tourists would like to have the option for sustainable travel..

Booking.com, one of the world’s largest online travel agencies, has recently issued a report detailing traveler’s preferences when booking a vacation.

According to this report, almost 9 in 10 travelers would like to travel in a sustainable fashion. Furthermore, 4 in 10 (39%) are actually making their travel as sustainable as it can be.

2. 48% of travelers would only sometimes or not at all consider sustainable traveling.

Even though there are large indicators pointing out that many would like to have the option for sustainable travel, nearly half wouldn’t even consider or only sometimes consider traveling sustainably.

The reason behind the skepticism is that even though there is great progress toward greener pastures, there is actually a lot more work to be done in order to turn these intentions into real actions.

3. During 2017, sustainable tourism grew by 7%.

(Responsible Travel)

International tourists who opted to travel sustainably managed to reach 1.326 billion, marking a 7% increase.

This report surpassed all expectations, as the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s estimates put sustainable tourism’s increase percentage at 3.8%.

4. A 6% growth rate was recorded at the start of 2018.

The UNWTO’s projections were shattered, yet again, in a positive way of course. Namely, at the start of 2018, sustainable travel increased by 6%, exceeding 4-5% increase estimates by the UNWTO.

Range of causes for this increase largely include growth of the middle class, improved travel options and connectivity, and the emergence of new travel markets.

5. 52% of surveyed individuals in 2020 believed there’s little effort in sustainable tourism.

According to the latest sustainable tourism statistics, half of all surveyed people firmly believe that accommodation providers didn’t make an effort to offer sustainable travel options.

Additionally, 8% believed there was no effort at all, while 35% stated there’s good progress with the potential for more.

The rest, about 5%, stated they think the hotel/accommodation sector is doing everything they can to be sustainable.

6. 83% of travelers firmly believe in the importance of sustainable travel.

More than 8 in 10 people who are frequently traveling around the world believe that sustainable travel is of utmost importance in today’s tourism activities.

This is largely due to increasing concerns over global warming and the negative impacts of climate change, prompting people to become genuinely aware of the consequences that may arise if natural environments aren’t nurtured.

On the other hand, every 2 in 10 people (or about 17%) don’t believe it is important for hotels and accommodation providers to offer sustainability.

7. 4 in 10 people would choose eco-friendly resorts to help reduce negative impact.

(Travel Agent Central)

According to this intriguing number, 40% of travelers would actually go to an eco-friendly place to rest and take their leave.

Furthermore, 34% would choose a green accommodation to explore and a have local experience of the place, while the choice for the other 33% would be to feel good about making a better life decision.

8. 60% state they are impressed by nature, prompting them to continue traveling sustainably.

The beauty of rain forests, coral reefs, and various natural sights are the main factors why 6 in 10 people choose to continue with sustainable travels.

Additionally, 47% would continue not only because of nature’s beauty but also because it might positively affect local people of the visited destination.

9. Cost is the biggest concern with sustainability tourism as 42% state inability to afford as the main reason.

The downside to this type of tourism is the high costs that arise with sustainable bookings and reservations.

Judging by this report, 4 in 10 people cannot afford the extra expenditure, while 20% do not receive the perceived luxury accommodation they’re used to.

Sustainable Tourism Statistics Worldwide

10. finland records the highest sustainability performance..

(Cambridge University)

According to this 2021 Sustainable Development Report by Cambridge University, Finland leads the world with the highest overall performance for sustainable tourism.

The proactive government of Finland constantly develops protective regulations and policies to fight climate change. In fact, Finnish people generally have a deep affection for nature, and they fight to protect and preserve their natural environment and resources.

11. People are willing to pay up to 75% more for sustainable travel.

Even though many people consider sustainable tourism to be costlier, they’re still willing to pay more when it comes to this choice.

Namely, travelers are willing to spend up to 75% more per night to stay at an eco-friendly place while on vacation.

This is particularly useful information for hotel and accommodation providers that are looking to make their properties greener and more eco-friendly.

12. 53% of travelers buy local products when visiting.

Half of all those who travel to various parts of the world are more willing to buy locally produced goods and products rather than traditional tourist souvenirs.

This is a rather peculiar fact that adds more incentive to the whole sustainability to tourism. Additionally, 52% would opt for public transportation to explore the destination rather than using a taxi.

13. 4 in 10 would do whatever it takes to locate a restaurant that uses only local ingredients.

Depending on each person’s preferences, we can see that many people try to take full advantage of sustainable vacation activities, maximizing their enjoyment in the process.

With that in mind, 41% would do anything they can to locate that one restaurant that serves its customers’ food using only local ingredients.

14. 35% believe energy-saving sensors should control heaters and air conditioners.

Among the latest sustainable travel reports comes interesting data. Travelers believe that accommodation units for cooling or heating should be controlled by keycards or by energy-saving sensors.

Furthermore, 27% would like to reuse cutlery and plates for meals or for room service. And what’s most fascinating, but also surprising, is that 27% are also inclined to opt out of daily room cleaning in order to reduce water usage.

15. Travelers’ everyday priorities include recycling 49% of the time.

Recycling is among the top priorities for travelers, taking up 49% of their time. Reducing food waste is the second-largest priority with 42%, while avoiding public transportation or general use of vehicles ranks third with 34%.

Single-use plastic products are the last on the list of priorities for travelers, with people focusing on this 33% of the time.

16. Accommodation businesses with photos receive up to 42% more directions requests.

According to a Google report, tourism listings that include photos of the places to visit, receive far more requests than those that do not.

Furthermore, the same businesses also receive up to 35% more clicks to their websites than those businesses without a listing or photos attached. This is of utmost importance, especially for businesses that claim to be sustainable, as travelers would be reassured once they’ve seen some evidence.

17. 26% of travelers believe governments are most accountable for positive changes to environments.

When travelers were asked who is most responsible for making positive changes, a little less than a third responded with “governments”.

Additionally, 23% believe tourism authorities are making the most impact, while 20% mentioned the travelers themselves are mostly accountable.

The lowest percentages go to hotel and accommodation providers and online travel agents with 8% and 6%, respectively.

18. 32% state they are unaware of how to make their travel a sustainable one.

Approximately a third of all travelers don’t even know how to turn their vacation into a sustainable one. What’s more, nearly half (48%) say it’s very difficult to make sustainable choices while vacationing.

Even though global awareness of sustainable tourism is increasing, it’s still difficult for travelers to adjust. This is where property managers can help alleviate the pressure by making energy-saving decisions that would take the burden off of tourists.

Sustainable Travel Future Trends & Tendencies

19. 65% state they’re getting excited at the prospect of traveling again..

According to a survey conducted by Booking.com, the global pandemic and lockdowns urged two-thirds of people to crave going out into the world again.

Namely, 65% have stated that they can’t wait to start traveling again once the pandemic dies down and restrictions get lifted.

20. 42% say they’ll travel more to make up for the lost time in 2020.

4 in 10 individuals state that they’ll be looking to travel as much as they can once the pandemic ends. According to them, many had lost valuable time in 2020 when lockdowns were more strict.

In terms of generations, 51% of Gen Z and 49% of Millennials say they plan to make trips to celebrate lost moments in 2020.

21. In 2021 though, 62% state they’re not going to overspend on traveling.

Contrastingly to the previous stat, 6 in 10 people are not planning to go overboard and spend all they can.

In fact, when it comes to searching for a place to visit, people are more likely to be conscious of the pricing rather than just book the first accommodation.

Additionally, 55% state they’d wait for a promotional offer or a discount before booking or making a reservation.

22. 46% of travelers are looking at refundable hotels or accommodation providers.

A little less than half of all who are looking to travel sustainably say they are looking for full-refund options on their bookings.

Apparently, this is a deal-breaker for travelers, and with good reason too. Even though the coronavirus is slowing down and with scientists’ predictions that the pandemic will be over soon, people are still hesitant to take risks when it comes to making a reservation for a trip.

23. More than 8 in 10 people are looking to reduce waste in future trips.

It appears that people are taking on a pledge to truly help nature and our environment. 84% of future travelers are saying they would focus on reducing waste on future trips in addition to avoiding the use of single-use plastics.

This is, indeed, a genuine life change, not just for people but for nature as a whole. And we all know the benefits of having a safer and cleaner environment.

24. The market size evaluation for ecotourism amounted to $181.1 billion in 2019.

(Allied Market Research)

Sustainable tourism peaked in 2019, prior to the worldwide pandemic. The great emphasis on the protection and preservation of nature led to a fantastic market share in 2019.

With $181.1 billion market size, ecotourism is expected to continue increasing within the next five years.

By how much?

Find out in the next stat!

25. By 2027, the ecotourism market is expected to reach $333.8 billion.

Now this is an astonishing figure, to say the least. Ecotourism’s expectations are likely to increase within the next five years.

Experts believe a CAGR of 14.3% will be evident from 2021 to 2027, eventually leading up to a market size value of $333.8 billion.

26. 37% of US travelers are planning domestic and international trips.

Contrastingly to the many travelers that are looking for cost-effective, sustainable travel offers, Americans are planning to go big for their next trip.

Two-thirds of respondents stated they’re planning for both types of travel. However, the majority, or about 59%, are looking at domestic travel only.

The interest, though, is increasing. Reports suggest that overseas reservations have increased by 35% among US citizens.

27. Overseas flight travel to major European cities has increased up to 110%.

American tourists of both coasts are looking to make the most out of 2022, with reports suggesting a heavy increase of flight reservations going to major European cities.

Namely, flight travel reservations have increased by 65% from Los Angeles to London, and a whopping 110% from New York to Paris.

Even though warm-weather destinations remain popular, Americans are looking to visit top European cities in an effort to have bucket-list memories.

28. COVID-19 brings about 7 trends in sustainable tourism.

Those who are interested in tourism management or accommodation services might want to watch out for a handful of trends that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought forth:

Hygiene – this goes without saying, as people are more aware of their hygiene which is also a vital part today in order to keep visitors safe.
Leisurely activities – with the majority of people working remotely, many become desperate to start hanging out again and maximize their off time.
Local travels – travel restrictions and covid protocols have swayed tourists to start visiting local places rather than risking not experiencing their overseas travels.
Contactless payments – modern technologies are in full swing, and using contactless payments is a trend that many would like to make use of.
Voice search – tourist information is vital, and being able to find everything you need with a voice command is a valuable asset every tourist place needs to have.
Eco traveling – travelers are starting to behave far more ethically and sustainably, looking for various sustainable-friendly tourism attractions and destinations.
Local experiences – today’s tourism has turned toward experiencing local cultures more than the classical cultural bubble.

Sustainable tourism is all about adapting our travel experience while taking care of our planet. We need to create a balance between our nature’s limited resources and human’s usage of these assets.

The future looks bright as more and more people are getting acquainted with the possibility of sustainable travel.

With governments, hotels, and other accommodation providers, aiding in sustainable tourism, it is very much likely to hit new peaks in the foreseeable future by addressing visitors’ needs while also taking into full account the environment’s social, economic, and industry essentials and issues.

Sustainable travel may not be for everyone, but these sustainable tourism statistics show us that we need to safeguard our green planet.

Phew! This was a lot to read. We hope you’ve learned something along the way (we know we did!).

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to help.

269 Upcycling Business Name Ideas To Save You Hours

231 Earthy Business Name Ideas to Go Green

655 Amazing Travel Agency Name Ideas Ever

22 Staycation Statistics That Will Get You Excited

Responsible Travel
Travel Agent Central
Cambridge University
Allied Market Research

Soocial Team

Global tourism industry - statistics & facts

What are the leading global tourism destinations, digitalization of the global tourism industry, how important is sustainable tourism, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP worldwide 2019-2034

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 1950-2023

Global leisure travel spend 2019-2023

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Leading global travel markets by travel and tourism contribution to GDP 2019-2023

Travel and tourism employment worldwide 2019-2034

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 2005-2023, by region

Further recommended statistics

Basic Statistic Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP worldwide 2019-2034
Basic Statistic Travel and tourism: share of global GDP 2019-2034
Basic Statistic Leading global travel markets by travel and tourism contribution to GDP 2019-2023
Basic Statistic Global leisure travel spend 2019-2023
Premium Statistic Global business travel spending 2001-2024
Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 1950-2023
Basic Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 2005-2023, by region
Basic Statistic Travel and tourism employment worldwide 2019-2034

Total contribution of travel and tourism to gross domestic product (GDP) worldwide in 2019 and 2023, with a forecast for 2024 and 2034 (in trillion U.S. dollars)

Travel and tourism: share of global GDP 2019-2034

Share of travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP worldwide in 2019 and 2023, with a forecast for 2024 and 2034

Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in leading travel markets worldwide in 2019 and 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Leisure tourism spending worldwide from 2019 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Global business travel spending 2001-2024

Expenditure of business tourists worldwide from 2001 to 2024 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 1950 to 2023 (in millions)

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 2005 to 2023, by region (in millions)

Number of travel and tourism jobs worldwide from 2019 to 2023, with a forecast for 2024 and 2034 (in millions)

Premium Statistic Global hotel and resort industry market size worldwide 2022-2023
Premium Statistic Most valuable hotel brands worldwide 2023, by brand value
Basic Statistic Leading hotel companies worldwide 2023, by number of properties
Premium Statistic Number of hotels in the construction pipeline worldwide 2024
Premium Statistic Number of hotel rooms in the construction pipeline worldwide 2024
Premium Statistic Countries with the most hotel construction projects in the pipeline worldwide 2024

Global hotel and resort industry market size worldwide 2022-2023

Market size of the hotel and resort industry worldwide in 2022 and 2023 (in trillion U.S. dollars)

Most valuable hotel brands worldwide 2023, by brand value

Leading hotel brands based on brand value worldwide in 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Leading hotel companies worldwide 2023, by number of properties

Leading hotel companies worldwide as of June 2023, by number of properties

Number of hotels in the construction pipeline worldwide 2024

Number of hotels in the construction pipeline worldwide as of the first quarter of 2024

Number of hotel rooms in the construction pipeline worldwide 2024

Number of hotel rooms in the construction pipeline worldwide as of the first quarter of 2024

Countries with the most hotel construction projects in the pipeline worldwide 2024

Countries with the highest number of hotel construction projects in the pipeline worldwide as of the first quarter of 2024

Premium Statistic Airports with the most international air passenger traffic worldwide 2023
Premium Statistic Market value of selected airlines worldwide 2024
Premium Statistic Global passenger rail users forecast 2017-2028
Premium Statistic Daily ridership of bus rapid transit systems worldwide by region 2023
Premium Statistic Number of users of car rentals worldwide 2020-2029
Premium Statistic Number of users in selected countries in the Car Rentals market in 2023
Premium Statistic Carbon footprint of international tourism transport worldwide 2005-2030, by type

Airports with the most international air passenger traffic worldwide 2023

Leading airports for international air passenger traffic in 2023 (in million international passengers)

Market value of selected airlines worldwide 2024

Market value of selected airlines worldwide as of May 2024 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Global passenger rail users forecast 2017-2028

Worldwide number of passenger rail users from 2017 to 2023, with a forecast through 2028 (in billion users)

Daily ridership of bus rapid transit systems worldwide by region 2023

Number of daily passengers using bus rapid transit (BRT) systems as of April 2023, by region

Number of users of car rentals worldwide 2020-2029

Number of users of car rentals worldwide from 2020 to 2029 (in millions)

Number of users in selected countries in the Car Rentals market in 2023

Number of users in selected countries in the Car Rentals market in 2023 (in million)

Carbon footprint of international tourism transport worldwide 2005-2030, by type

Transport-related emissions from international tourist arrivals worldwide in 2005 and 2016, with a forecast for 2030, by mode of transport (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)

Attractions

Premium Statistic Most visited museums worldwide 2019-2023
Basic Statistic Most visited amusement and theme parks worldwide 2023
Basic Statistic Monuments on the UNESCO world heritage list 2023, by type
Basic Statistic Selected countries with the most Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide 2024

Most visited museums worldwide 2019-2023

Museums with the highest attendance worldwide from 2019 to 2023 (in millions)

Most visited amusement and theme parks worldwide 2023

Leading amusement and theme parks worldwide 2023, by attendance (in millions)

Monuments on the UNESCO world heritage list 2023, by type

Number of monuments on the UNESCO world heritage list as of September 2023, by type

Selected countries with the most Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide 2024

Number of Michelin-starred restaurants in selected countries and territories worldwide as of August 2024

Online travel market

Premium Statistic Online travel market size worldwide 2017-2028
Premium Statistic Estimated desktop vs. mobile revenue of leading OTAs worldwide 2023
Premium Statistic Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps worldwide 2023
Basic Statistic Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023
Premium Statistic Estimated EV/Revenue ratio in the online travel market 2024, by segment
Premium Statistic Estimated EV/EBITDA ratio in the online travel market 2024, by segment

Online travel market size worldwide 2017-2028

Online travel market size worldwide from 2017 to 2023, with a forecast until 2028 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Estimated desktop vs. mobile revenue of leading OTAs worldwide 2023

Estimated desktop vs. mobile revenue of leading online travel agencies (OTAs) worldwide in 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps worldwide 2023

Number of aggregated downloads of selected leading online travel agency apps worldwide in 2023 (in millions)

Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023

Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide as of September 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

Estimated EV/Revenue ratio in the online travel market 2024, by segment

Estimated enterprise value to revenue (EV/Revenue) ratio in the online travel market worldwide as of April 2024, by segment

Estimated EV/EBITDA ratio in the online travel market 2024, by segment

Estimated enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio in the online travel market worldwide as of April 2024, by segment

Selected trends

Premium Statistic Share of tech investments by travel and mobility corporations worldwide 2018-2024
Premium Statistic Use of mobile devices to plan travel with an AI chatbot worldwide 2023, by country
Premium Statistic Global travelers who believe in the importance of green travel 2024
Premium Statistic Reasons for traveling sustainably worldwide 2024
Premium Statistic Airbnb revenue worldwide 2017-2023
Premium Statistic Airbnb nights and experiences booked worldwide 2017-2023

Share of tech investments by travel and mobility corporations worldwide 2018-2024

Distribution of tech investment deals by travel and mobility corporations worldwide between 2018 and 2024, by area of investment

Use of mobile devices to plan travel with an AI chatbot worldwide 2023, by country

Share of travelers who used a mobile device to plan or research travel with an AI chatbot worldwide as of October 2023, by country

Global travelers who believe in the importance of green travel 2024

Share of travelers that believe sustainable travel is important worldwide in 2024

Reasons for traveling sustainably worldwide 2024

Factors that inspire eco-friendly travel worldwide as of February 2024

Airbnb revenue worldwide 2017-2023

Revenue of Airbnb worldwide from 2017 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Airbnb nights and experiences booked worldwide 2017-2023

Nights and experiences booked with Airbnb from 2017 to 2023 (in millions)

Premium Statistic Travel and tourism revenue worldwide 2020-2029, by segment
Premium Statistic Distribution of sales channels in the travel and tourism market worldwide 2019-2029
Premium Statistic Inbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region
Premium Statistic Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region

Travel and tourism revenue worldwide 2020-2029, by segment

Revenue of the travel and tourism market worldwide from 2020 to 2029, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)

Distribution of sales channels in the travel and tourism market worldwide 2019-2029

Revenue share of sales channels of the travel and tourism market worldwide from 2019 to 2029

Inbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region

Inbound tourism visitor growth worldwide from 2020 to 2022, with a forecast until 2025, by region

Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region

Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide from 2020 to 2022, with a forecast until 2025, by region

Further reports

Get the best reports to understand your industry.

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Our solutions
Cruise & Ferry
Libraries & Institutions
For Publishers
Download the Latest App
Media Literacy
Sustainable Development
The Insider
Let’s work together

Check the facts on travel and tourism’s impact on sustainability

Ask most people if they support sustainable travel, and they'll likely respond, “But, of course!” But do those travelers really know what that means?

According to the 2023 Sustainable Travel Report from Booking.com, 80% of survey respondents confirm that traveling more sustainably is important to them, with 76% reporting that they want to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months. Despite these good intentions, however, 44% of travelers say that they don’t know where to find more sustainable tourism options.

The United Nations’ World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) definition gives a holistic view few travelers appreciate and one that we need to continually remind ourselves of when monitoring and critiquing travel organizations’ commitment to sustainability.

“Sustainable tourism development 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.”

Sustainability in luxury hotels: future of the hospitality industry

Here’s how six of Spain's top hospitality companies keep their operations more sustainable

How to get your hotel eco-certified (and showing up in Google search)

Sustainability is about more than the climate

Yes, you’ve read this correctly — sustainability is much more than climate change. I’m not suggesting that environmental sustainability isn’t absolutely critical; I just want everyone to remember that the planet is only one of three pillars in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development .

As defined by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), sustainable development in tourism refers to "the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability."

According to the UNWTO , sustainable tourism should:

Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.

Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.

Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.

People and prosperity are just as vital to our future as the planet. To create a truly sustainable tourism industry, we need to consider the impact of mass tourism on economic development and the ways in which it can empower local communities while conserving the natural and cultural heritage of tourist destinations.

Unfortunately, when it comes to analyzing travel and tourism’s sustainable development record, most people don’t spend a whole lot of time examining its actions beyond those that affect climate change. So, to help set this record straight, let me share with you what the sector is doing to support not only SDG 13 (Climate Action) but the other 16 Sustainable Development Goals — or SDGs — as well.

The airline industry has been criticized for years over the size of its carbon footprint. Sure, it’s easy to think that airplanes are massive guzzlers of fuel. But I’m sure you’d be surprised to learn that aviation is not the biggest carbon culprit on the planet. Yes, it contributes ~2.5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally.

But before pointing the finger and scolding, “Shame on you, airlines and those who fly with you,” take a look at the textile industry. Today it emits 1.2 billion tons of CO2 annually (between 8% and 10% of our global GHG emissions). By 2030, those emissions are expected to rise by more than 60% .

By 2050, the fashion industry is projected to account for 25% of the global carbon budget , polluting the planet more than any other sector except oil. Puts things into a bit more perspective, don’t you think? Makes you think twice before buying that latest fashion “must-have” item calling your name, right?

A lot is being done in aviation to address climate change and many of the other SDGs. The problem is many people rarely hear about it.

But what if we were grounded?

It’s easy to forget how important the travel industry is to our global economy and the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people. But COVID-19 changed all that. We didn’t have to imagine what it’s like for the world to be grounded; we experienced firsthand how bad things can get, and none of us want a repeat performance.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, in 2019, travel and tourism generated 25% of the world’s new jobs (330 million) and contributed 10.3% of the global GDP — outpacing the growth of the global economy for the past nine years.

The full impact of the pandemic is nearly impossible to measure, but according to Statista , it the global travel and tourism market lost roughly 62 million jobs in 2020.

While this scenario improved in 2021, the sector still reported around 44 million fewer jobs worldwide compared to 2019. Overall, the Asia-Pacific region recorded the most significant employment loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 25.5 million fewer travel and tourism jobs in 2021 compared to 2019.

World-changing events notwithstanding, the aviation industry is not off the hook in terms of its sustainable development mandate. There is a lot of work that needs doing to support many of the SDGs and create a more sustainable industry for casual and business travelers. A number of industry organizations and travel companies have already started.

What airlines are doing

Despite what people think, aviation hasn’t been sitting back on its laurels, waiting for someone else to solve their carbon emission problem. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airlines have been reducing fuel burn through weight reduction and more fuel-efficient aircraft for decades. Since 1990, carbon emissions per passenger have been reduced by more than 50%, with improvements in annual fuel efficiencies of 2.3% since 2009.

But the job is far from over; much more needs to be done. Thankfully many industry organizations like IATA and several airlines are committed to doing what needs to be done to meet their 2050 goals.

Just check the quarterly analysis report issued by CAPA - Centre for Aviation , and you’ll read about how airlines all over the world are investing in, experimenting with, and committing to new technologies to reduce their CO 2 emissions.

Investing in sustainable fuel

According to Dr. Fang Liu, secretary-general for the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ), Sustainable Airline Fuel (SAF) options have the potential to “ reduce jet fuel life-cycle CO2 emissions by up to 80% .” It won’t happen overnight, but it’s happening faster than you might think. The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) reports that 160,000 commercial flights have already flown using SAF, and the numbers are increasing rapidly.

In 2015, United Airlines invested US$30 million in Fulcrum BioEnergy and a year later became the first US airline to use “commercial-scale volumes of sustainable biofuel” with its Eco-Skies program. In October 2019, the airline invested US$40 million towards accelerating SAF development and committed to purchasing nearly 40 million litres of SAF over the next two years. In 2020, United announced its goal of going "100% green" by 2050; the following year, the airline achieved the milestone of the first passenger flight using 100% SAF in one engine.

Ramping up production of saf

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 2050 Vision for SAF seminar in 2019 reported that commercial production of SAF increased from an average of 0.29 million litres/year (2013-2015) to 6.45 million litres/year (2016-2018). By 2032, SAF production capacity is expected to reach 8 billion litres/year.

In 2020, JetBlue became the first US-based airline to voluntarily offset GHG emissions from all of its domestic flights. At the end of 2022, the airline announced (via a December 6 press release ) that it would switch the focus of its sustainability efforts to sustainable aviation fuel.

Using SAF, JetBlue plans to effectively cut its per-seat emissions in half by 2035, stating that “JetBlue views SAF as the most promising avenue for addressing aviation emissions in a meaningful and rapid way — once cost-effective SAF is made available commercially at scale."

Then there is the work underway by the International Airlines Group (IAG), which includes brands such as British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Vueling. IAG was the first airline group to commit to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the first to invest in waste-to-sustainable aviation fuels in Europe.

In its 2019 annual report , IAG outlined its strategic direction to meet its 2050 goals and how it will deliver on its Flightpath net-zero promise . Programs include investing in SAF, more environmentally friendly aircraft, verified carbon reduction projects and other innovative technologies to reduce its carbon footprint.

Supporting People and Prosperity

Beyond climate change and SAF programs, many airlines are addressing the sustainability needs of people and the global economy.

IAG has aligned its business initiatives around nine SDGs.

The ICAO ties its strategic objectives to 15 out of the 17 SDGs — yes, 15! And they are not alone. Other associations and their members are delivering on more SDGs than you might expect. It’s about time they started to “blow their own horns” and tell more people the good works they are doing.

In its Flying in Formation report, ATAG outlines how global aviation contributes to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Here are just a few of the many examples you can find on its website.

Losing weight and waste

Weight has always been a factor in reducing fuel consumption. Even as far back as 1987, airlines were looking for ways to lighten the load. It’s been reported that American Airlines removed a single olive from each of its in-flight salads, allegedly reducing fuel costs by US$40,000 a year! Crazy right? Imagine what could happen if much heavier items could be replaced with more sustainable alternatives?

Many carriers have started to remove seatback screens and drive more on-board services and media to passengers’ devices. This sustainability initiative not only reduces weight and fuel costs, it gives passengers the entertainment they want on their device of choice — smartphone, tablet or laptop.

A few years ago, PressReader partnered with the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) to perform a study on the future of newspapers and magazines in-flight. At that time, 70% of airlines reported that they had already stopped offering printed media on board or planned to stop within three years due to the operating costs and environmental impact of all the extra weight and recycling costs.

Today, airlines like British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines and Air Mauritius are saving millions of dollars a year and tons of weight, simply by switching from printed media on board to digital. This allows them to reinvest those dollars to enhance the customer journey elsewhere while reducing tons of CO2 emissions.

Take Cathay Pacific, for example. It currently focuses on six SDGs and reports on its achievements for each goal in its annual Sustainability Report ; digital transformation is part of the plan.

Back in 2017, we helped Cathay transition from their limited selection of printed media to thousands of digital newspapers and magazines in its lounges and on board.

Today, the airline is flying paperless in its cockpits as well, saving 13.4 million kg of weight annually and 1 million litres of aviation fuel. That’s ~4,000 tons of CO2 emission each year — the equivalent of 5,000 trips from Hong Kong to London. It’s amazing what simple changes like that can do for both the planet and people.

Iberia: an IAG inspiration

IAG brand Iberia — Spain’s number one airline — puts sustainability on the top of its agenda. It’s working on initiatives both on the ground and in the air to make flying cleaner. These initiatives include, among others, the renewal of the fleet with more efficient aircraft, electric vehicles at airports, reduction of the use of plastics, recycling of on-board waste, digitalization of processes, and the use of renewable energy in its facilities. Its reduce, reuse, and recycle program alone has decreased its waste by 23.5 tons of aluminum cans and 6.5 tons of plastic annually.

For the last decade, the airline has been working with the UNWTO as part of its sustainability commitment. In October 2019, it kicked the relationship up a notch when it signed an agreement with the UNWTO to carry out specific projects to enhance the environmental, social, and economic viability and sustainability of the tourism sector in line with the UN 2030 Agenda.

Reducing on-board waste

At the FITUR International Tourism Trade Fair in Madrid in January 2020, Iberia and PressReader won the Tourism Excellence Award for Sustainability and Green Initiatives for the project, which saw Iberia switch away from printed newspapers and magazines on its airplanes to a zero-waste digital media platform . This sustainability initiative removed over 640 tons of paper from Iberia’s aircraft — 615 tons of CO2 in one year.

iberia-airlines-sustainability-initiative

We are honored to be part of Iberia’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, complementing other programs such as their Zero Cabin Waste Program , which alone saw over 2,000 tons of on-board waste separated for recycling in 2019. Not to mention in February of 2019, the airline started the year with the introduction of their latest-generation aircraft with state-of-the-art technology designed to save fuel: the Airbus A350 , which lowers CO2 emissions by roughly 30%.

A colleague of mine who tested out Iberia’s paper scale at the FITUR Fair discovered that his weight equaled ~12 Iberia flights’ worth of paper saved with this one sustainability initiative.

At Iberia, we’ve substituted reading paper with its digital version: our customers can access more than 7,000 international magazines and newspapers from their devices. Less paper, less weight, less CO2 emissions.

Iberia was an earlier adopter of digital, but when COVID-19 hit the industry, and touchless travel became the new normal, the transition from paper to digital accelerated. With the adoption of new sanitized, contactless , and safe passenger experiences in airports and planes, we saw printed in-flight magazines removed from four of the top five airlines in the US. Thankfully there are easy and affordable ways to digitize them so that passengers can continue to enjoy them.

Like airlines, hotels have a good news/bad news sustainable development story.

The good news: the hotel sector is one of the largest drivers of employment and economic revenue in the world.

The bad news: the industry is one of the most energy-intensive . When one includes other types of travel accommodation (e.g., Airbnbs, vacation rentals), the entire lodging industry accounts for almost half of tourism’s 5% GHG emissions.

But as is the case with airlines, not everyone is aware of the sustainable development happening in the industry to lessen the bad and increase the good. Here are a few examples of sustainable practices that I hope will inspire you.

MGM Resorts

MGM Resorts has been recognized as a leader in environmental sustainability for many years. I know, it’s kind of hard to believe that a Las Vegas casino and hotel chain could be sustainable. But it’s true! Since opening its first LEED certified development in 2009, MGM has built all new construction projects in the US to LEED Gold standards; 16 of its properties have earned Green Key awards, and eight have earned Green Globe certification.

A few years ago, MGM’s ARIA Resort and Casino hosted Verified — The Forbes Travel Guide Luxury Summit — one of the most prestigious events in the world. The PressReader team was there, and I was shocked, in a good way, to see how opulence can still be so sustainable.

ARIA is one of the largest LEED Gold-certified buildings in the world and is one of the most comfortable and luxurious hotels I’ve ever seen.

To help the hotel group make positive impacts on its communities, MGM Resorts selected 10 SDGs to inspire its strategy for social and environmental impacts . It wrapped those goals within four pillars:

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Fostering Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Protecting the Planet

Investing in Our Communities

Here are just a few things MGM Resorts has achieved in support of sustainable development across these four commitments.

MGM Resorts is consistently named one of the “Best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index .

MGM Resorts donated more than 1.1 million meals in 2020, amounting to a cumulative total of 2.6 million meals donated since its Feeding Forward program began in 2016. When its resorts were closed during the pandemic, the company donated more than 662,000 pounds of food to to feed local people in the communities in which its operates.

MGM also kept over 200,000 tons of food waste from landfills over 12 years — the equivalent of 1,000 blue whales.

In 2020, MGM Resorts broke ground on a utility-scale 100-megawatt solar array, which will drive ~90% of the daytime electricity needed in all of its properties on the Vegas Strip.

Scandic Hotels

With 58,000 rooms in six countries, Scandic Hotels, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, is the largest hotel operator in the Nordic countries.

Way back in 1993, it decided it was going to be a leader in sustainability in the hospitality sector, and engage its team members to achieve that. That same year an employee’s “Hang up your towel” initiative became a hospitality standard policy worldwide.

In 2001, the hotel chain introduced “Scandic in Society” to engage staff in giving back to communities. Every year, thousands of team members across all Scandic hotels participate in projects such as cleaning up beaches, visiting children in local hospitals, planting trees in ravaged forests, and providing bedding in shelters for the homeless.

Since Scandic doesn’t own any hotel buildings, it continually encourages the property owners to implement measures to reduce their negative environmental impacts and help Scandic meet its CO2 emission targets.

scandic-hotels-sustainability-initiatives-quote

It also practices sustainable development in managing its supply chains, human resource policies, waste management, energy conservation, sustainable guest services and amenities. And it does it better than most.

Five years ago, its entire suite of hotels converted from print to digital media in its efforts to reduce its use of paper and carbon footprint. According to a 2017 Scandic press release ,

In 2018, more than 18,000 employees joined in on a sustainability hackathon , which resulted in 400 environmental and social ideas being presented to a jury. The winning proposal was “Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth,” which was piloted in Norway in 2019 with a target of saving over 150 millions litres of water a year.

In 2023, the Sustainable Brand Index, Europe’s largest brand study on sustainability, named Scandic the best in the industry in Sweden for the 13th consecutive year.

NH Hotel Group

Headquartered in Madrid with over 350 hotels in 28 countries, NH Hotel Group has been diligently decreasing its carbon dioxide emissions through sustainability programs.

Over the past decade, it reduced its carbon footprint by 70%, cut energy use by 28%, and water costs by 30%.

Through its CORK2CORK program , NH Hotel Group SA collected cork stoppers from wine bottles from 74 hotels in Spain and Italy, recycled them and reused them for cladding and insulation in 300 new rooms. The recycles material not only acts as a heat insulator, it also reduces noise. Their commitment to improve waste management and contribute to the circular economy won the hotel group a Grupo Excelencias International Award at FITUR 2020.

NH also stopped distributing printed media in their hotels and began providing free access to a thousands of digital newspapers and magazines to its guests. The results speak for themselves.

NH-hotel-group-decreasing-carbon-emissions

The new normal

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization the COVID-19 pandemic represented “the worst crisis that international tourism has faced since records began (1950).” The tourism industry has bounced back in a major way since international travel opened up again. A lot of damage was already done, though, and the hospitality sector is still struggling with an ongoing shortage of workers .

If there’s any possible silver lining, perhaps it’s that people have woken up to how critical the development of a more sustainable tourism industry is to the global economy and the well-being and livelihoods of the world’s most vulnerable citizens.

In closing, I hope that every person or business in the travel and tourism value chain — booking agents, hotels, airlines, tour operators, restaurants and travelers — will take time to reflect on the past in terms of their priorities and actions: what they did right pre-COVID, what they did wrong or didn’t do enough of, and what they can do better to contribute to the development of sustainable tourism.

Measuring your carbon footprint, and changing your behavior to lower it, is a great start, but it’s not nearly enough. As global citizens, all of us — not just those in the travel and tourism industry — need to commit to supporting not one or two Sustainable Development Goalss, but all 17 in our day-to-day lives. We need to act if our lives depend on it. Because the fact is, they do.

I’ve got my list, and I’d love to hear about yours. Let’s talk !

This is an updated version of an article that originally appeared in the July 2020 issue of The Insider .

Featured Hotels Hotel trends Sustainability Hospitality tourism

How technology is changing the travel and tourism industry according to Les Clefs d’Or

Wellness tourism: integrating health and well-being into the hotel experience

The 10 greatest influences on tourism in the past 10 years

Featured (205)
Insights (168)
Libraries (151)
Reading (145)
Hotels (113)
library trends (113)
contactless (105)
Hotel trends (80)
Highlights (79)
technology (56)
Guest experience (53)
Sustainability (42)
Hospitality (36)
academic library (24)
accessibility (24)
media literacy (22)
Case Studies (18)
Aviation (17)
artificial intelligence (15)
#PressReaderCares (14)
tourism (14)
Customer loyalty (11)
Publishing (10)
Cruise and Ferry (9)
Future of work (6)
cybersecurity (5)
Digital Editions (4)
PressReader Features (4)
Publishers (3)
lifelong learning (2)
Hybrid events (1)

PressReader delivers an endless stream of top news stories right to your pocket.

PressReader Inc. 200 – 13111 Vanier Place Richmond, BC V6V 2J1 Canada

PressReader International Limited Registration No. 592506 (Ireland) 77 Sir John Rogerson's Quay Block C Dublin, D02 VK60 Ireland

Help center
Corporate Profile
Publisher login
Partner login

Chhattisgarh: 5 fascinating facts about Chitrakoot Falls, India’s widest waterfall

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL TRENDS , CHHATTISGARH / Created : Sep 16, 2024, 23:34 IST

You're Reading

Chitrakoot Falls in Chhattisgarh, known as the 'Niagara of India,' is India's widest waterfall. It spans up to 300 meters during the monsoon season and offers a breathtaking view. The region around the falls is rich in tribal cult … Read more

Chhattisgarh: 5 fascinating facts about Chitrakoot Falls, India’s widest waterfall

Top 10 countries with most UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Comments (0)

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

Comments ( ) Sort: Newest UpVoted Oldest Discussed Down Voted closecomments

SIGN IN WITH

Or post without registration.

2 nights 3 days in Dubai: A complete guide

Visual Stories

Popular Galleries

From India’s Siachen to Argentina’s Perito Moreno: Most iconic glaciers in the world TRAVEL TRENDS , WORLD

World’s 7 most beautiful palaces that are open to tourists! TRAVEL TRENDS , WORLD

7 best places to visit in India in October for a pre-winter vacation TRAVEL TRENDS , INDIA

World’s 7 most beautiful palaces that are open to tourists!

Lesser-known places to visit in Saudi Arabia

What makes Cliffs of Moher a must visit attraction in Ireland?

From India’s Siachen to Argentina’s Perito Moreno: Most iconic glaciers in the world

Which safari should you choose in Kaziranga National Park?

1 Chhattisgarh: 5 fascinating facts about Chitrakoot Falls, India’s widest waterfall
2 2 nights 3 days in Dubai: A complete guide
3 Khonoma, Nagaland: The success story of eco-tourism, sustainable travel and living in India
4 Planning a trip to Singapore? Here are 5 things you should leave behind
5 5 unique things that exist only in Japan

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO DESTINATIONS, ITINERARIES, THINGS TO DO, RESTAURANTS, NIGHTLIFE and LOTS MORE!

FOLLOW US ON

Places to visit.

Places to visit in Bangalore
Places to visit in Mumbai
Places to visit in Delhi
Places to visit in Goa
Hotels in Goa
Hotels in Jaipur
Hotels in Shimla
Hotels in Mumbai

Things To do

Things to do in Goa
Things to do in Mumbai
Things to do in Bangalore
Things to do in Delhi

Travel Inspiration

Visa on arrival for Indians
Honeymoon Places in india
Hill Stations in India
Weekend getaways in Mumbai
Weather in Delhi
Weather in Chennai
Weather in Bangalore
Weather in Mumbai

Best Beaches

Goa Beaches
Mumbai Beaches
Pondicherry Beaches
Kerala Beaches
Restaurants in Bangalore
Restaurants in Chennai
Restaurants in Pune
Restaurants in Jaipur
Hill Station near Delhi
Winter trip to Ladakh
Places to visit in Kerala
Winter Honeymoon Destinations
UK visa guide for Indians
Winter Trip to Manali
Vaishno Devi Yatra
Special Train Ticket Booking
HP inter-state Bus
Honeymoon Destinations India

Latest News

5 Asian countries with best local transport system
From lesser-known heritage sites to adventures in the Red Sea: Saudi Arabia beyond what you know
This is only Indian hotel that made it to the ‘World’s Top 50 Hotels’ list
New fast-track immigration process at Delhi airport; expanding to 21 cities soon
UK promotes eVisa transition, urges everyone, including Indians, to switch over

Congratulations!

You have been successfully added to the mailing list of Times of India Travel. To complete the subscription process, kindly open your inbox and click on the confirmation link which has been emailed to you.

Share with friends

Thank You for sharing! Your friend will receive the article link on email mentioned.

(For more than one recipient, type addresses separated by commas)

IMAGES

Sustainable Tourism Guide: Why Important, Examples & More
What is Sustainable Travel: 8 Best Practices
What Is Sustainable Tourism And Why Is It Important
The basics of Sustainable Tourism (and actions you can take to help) in
22 benefits of sustainable tourism
Sustainable Tourism, Green Tourism, Ecotourism Explained

VIDEO

Sustainable Fashion: Creating a Greener Future for Fashion
Sustainable Aviation Fuel facts #youtubeshorts #facts #funfacts #shorts #fuel #sustainableaviation
8 Sustainable Ideas That Will Change the world!
Benefits of Carbon Farming #generalknowledge #carbonfarming #greenhousegasemissions #climatechange
Rare resin bee sightings! #shorts #india
Sustainable tourism and responsible travel #facts #facts

COMMENTS

Sustainable tourism worldwide
Sustainable tourism worldwide - statistics & facts. Sustainable tourism, also known as ecotourism, or green tourism, is a form of tourism that attempts to take responsibility for its current and ...
Sustainable travel statistics: 6 facts to open your mind
2. Beyond sustainable: Regenerative travel is trending with dozens of companies committing to supporting the future of tourism's 13 principles of a more ethical and planet-friendly industry. While sustainability refers to harm reduction, a new concept has recently cropped up among tourism professionals: "regenerative travel".
Sustainable tourism
Sustainable tourism is a concept that covers the complete tourism experience, including concern for economic, social, and environmental issues as well as attention to improving tourists' experiences and addressing the needs of host communities. [1] Sustainable tourism should embrace concerns for environmental protection, social equity, and the quality of life, cultural diversity, and a dynamic ...
What does sustainable travel mean?
This day highlights the importance of sustainable tourism —a framework for engaging travelers and the travel industry at large in supporting goals that include protecting the environment ...
UN Adopts a New Global Standard to Measure the Sustainability of Tourism
The adoption by the UN Statistical Commission at its 55th session (27 February - 1 March 2024) marks a historical milestone towards harnessing the full potential of the sector, providing a solution to the pressing need for a harmonized methodology to effectively assess the sustainability of tourism. "Tourism is a powerful force for positive ...
What Is Sustainable Tourism and Why Is It Important?
Sustainable tourism considers its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts by addressing the needs of its ecological surroundings and the local communities. This is achieved ...
Sustainable tourism
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 development
Sustainable tourism development requires the informed participation of all relevant stakeholders, as well as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and consensus building. Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires constant monitoring of impacts, introducing the necessary preventive and/or corrective ...
Is it possible to be a 'sustainable tourist'? 12 ways to make a
International tourism is showing strong signs of recovery, with tourist numbers rising to 57 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. On World Tourism Day, marked on Tuesday, the UN is calling for a major global rethink of the sector, to ensure that tourism is sustainable, and benefits local communities.
Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals
A joint effort by UNWTO, UNDP and other partners, Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals - Journey to 2030 aims to build knowledge, and empower and inspire tourism stakeholders to take necessary action to accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable tourism sector by aligning policies, business operations and investments with the SDGs.
Sustainable tourism in the U.S.
Sustainable tourism is defined by the UN World Tourism Organization and UN Environment Program as "tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental ...
Sustainable Tourism Practices and Destinations: Examples from Around
The Netherlands - A country that is promoting sustainable tourism through initiatives such as green hotels, bike-friendly cities, and nature conservation programs. New Zealand - A country that has a strong focus on sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism, conservation efforts, and responsible travel practices.
The future of tourism is sustainable and regenerative
In the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021: Rebuilding for a Sustainable and Resilient Future, Japan took the top spot in the development index ranking. Japan, a highly regarded tourist destination, is leading the way in the future of regenerative tourism — where the more tourists visit, the more the place changes ...
30+ Sustainable travel statistics & trends you need to know
A global survey in 2020 showed that Gen Z (56%) and millennial (51%) travelers are the most concerned with sustainable travel. Gen X (49%) and Baby Boomers (46%) are the least concerned about it. 77% of travelers aged between 18-29 say that sustainability impacts their travel decisions, compared to 48% of travelers aged 51 and above.
10 sustainable travel destinations to visit in 2024
From destinations carving out innovative green spaces to places ready to welcome back tourists in the wake of tragedy, here are 10 destinations welcoming sustainable travellers in 2024. 1 ...
Sustainable Travel: 55 Trends, Facts & Stats
The same study conducted by Booking.com shows that 87% of global travelers wish to travel sustainably right away. 4. Fly Out Only When Necessary. Another study that involved European consumers showed that 40% have decided to stop flying to alleviate climate change. 5. Sustainable Travel is the Future.
Sustainable tourism .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform
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 ...
The promise and challenges of sustainable travel products
In parallel, a survey by Booking.com found that four out of five global travellers agreed that sustainable travel is a priority for them, with 71% intending to travel more sustainably and 78% aiming to stay at a sustainable property at least once a year. Concerning the environment, specifically, 69% of respondents to an Expedia survey confirmed ...
28 Sustainable Tourism Statistics To Share The Goodness (2024)
International tourists who opted to travel sustainably managed to reach 1.326 billion, marking a 7% increase. This report surpassed all expectations, as the United Nations World Tourism Organization's estimates put sustainable tourism's increase percentage at 3.8%. 4. A 6% growth rate was recorded at the start of 2018.
Sustainable Tourism Guide: Why Important, Examples & More
In this sustainable tourism guide, you can learn what sustainable tourism means and why it matters, including real-world examples.
Global tourism industry
In 2023, travel and tourism's direct contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) was approximately 9.9 trillion U.S. dollars, making up a 9.1 percent share of the total global GDP. Show more ...
Check the facts on travel and tourism's impact on sustainability
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, in 2019, travel and tourism generated 25% of the world's new jobs (330 million) and contributed 10.3% of the global GDP — outpacing the growth of the global economy for the past nine years. The full impact of the pandemic is nearly impossible to measure, but according to Statista, it the ...
The impact of sustainable development goals (SDGs) on tourism growth
Sustainable tourism seeks to reduce the negative effects of tourism on the fundamentals of sustainability, namely the economy, environment, and society. In addition, growth is economically viable, environmentally feasible, and socially equitable (Yuan et al., Citation 2018). Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 directly addresses economic ...
Sustainable Recovery in Health Tourism: Managerial Insights from a
Health tourism, a sector that has gained increasing global attention, particularly in the context of sustainable development, is poised for significant growth even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the challenges faced by the health tourism sector in a small Mediterranean country, focusing on sustainable recovery strategies. The current study aims to determine ...
To Continue or Quit Business? Mediating Roles of Resilience and Quality
Sustainable entrepreneurship refers to a phenomenon that includes the recognition, creation, assessment, and exploitation of sustainable business opportunities that lead to social and environmental gains ... Current Issues in Tourism, 22(16), 2014-2033. Crossref. Google Scholar.
Chhattisgarh: 5 fascinating facts about Chitrakoot Falls, India's
Adventure and eco-tourism hub Chitrakoot Falls, located in the Bastar region, is surrounded by dense forests, wildlife, and tribal culture. It's no surprise that a visit to the waterfall means ...