Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

Better Travel & Tourism, Better World’ a new report developed through a partnership between the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Centre (STGC) with Systemiq, the world’s leading independent system change advisory firm, finds that The Travel & Tourism industry could reduce its emissions by more than 40% by 2030 by taking radical action to contribute to the race to net-zero.The new report was launched at the 22nd Global Summit of the World Travel & Tourism Council being held in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia under the theme “Travel For A Better Future.” It is based on extensive consultation with leading stakeholders around the world representing hospitality, transport, OTAs, governments, investors, NGOs and academia.
The global Travel & Tourism industry creates opportunities for societies around the world, the economy and nature. However, the analysis of the report showed that the industry today is generating significant environmental and social costs and is responsible for 9-12% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.
The report found that without significant change these emissions will rise 20% by 2030, representing one-third of the total (net zero) global carbon budget of that year. This puts the viability of the industry itself at risk. The Travel & Tourism industry has a vital role to play in slowing down climate change, restoring nature and strengthening communities.
This landmark report is the first to estimate a fully costed strategy for shifting the Travel & Tourism industry to a net-positive model by 2050. It calls on industry leaders and policymakers to move urgently to implement a reform agenda centred around five priorities: reduce emissions, protect and restore nature, strengthen communities, shift traveller behaviours and increase resilience to climate change and other shocks.
The reform agenda requires increased investment in transport, facilities, nature and resilience of USD 220-310 billion a year to 2030, equating to 2-3% of the Travel & Tourism Industry’s US 10 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP. This vital investment will enable the industry to drive strong, sustainable growth, strengthen its resilience, maintain its licence to operate and remain competitive in the long run.  Travelers, even for long-haul vacations, would on average need to pay less than 5% extra to help finance the transition.ADVERTISEMENTHis Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Minister of Tourism said: “This is significant step along the road to a net zero future and as the home of STGC we are proud to have enabled the publication of this report.  Our rapidly growing tourism sector in the Kingdom is heavily focused on sustainable strategies with high profile projects including the Red Sea and NEOM based on fully renewable energy sources.”
Paul Polman – Business leader, campaigner and co-author of Net-Positive, said: “Imagine a thriving and productive Travel & Tourism industry, widely seen as a force for good around the world. A sector that has comeback from Covid-19 stronger and more resilient, boosting global growth and helping tackle climate change and restore nature. But time is not on our side and, without serious and concerted action to transform the industry, there is a risk it will head in the opposite direction. This ground-breaking report shows that a better future is possible, and offers a new and thrilling vision for travel and tourism that we can all unite behind, as well as a plan to achieve it.”
HE Gloria Guevara, Special Advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, said: “This is a significant step in the work being undertaken by the STGC and demonstrates the rapid progress the Center is making since HRH The Crown Prince announced it at the Saudi Green Initiative last year. It is a clear indicator of the important work being undertaken that will benefit tourism and the wider world.”
Jeremy Oppenheim – founder and senior partner at Systemiq, said: ”The agenda proposed in this report offers the Travel & Tourism industry a route to becoming the best that it can be by 2050: a thriving, strategically important industry across the world, recognised as a leading force in tackling climate change, regenerating nature, creating quality jobs and bringing people together. This is the industry’s chance to drive the solution rather than be seen as part of the problem. Delivering the agenda will secure a better future for Travel & Tourism and all its destinations, established, new or still undiscovered. The opportunity is huge. The time to seize it is now.”
Former Mexican President, Felipe Calderon, is an STGC advisor and added: “The travel and tourism sector employs 10 per cent of the world’s population and that figure is set to grow by over 120 million in the coming decade.  It is vital that it recognizes its responsibilities in working towards net zero and ensuring we preserve the planet for future generations of travelers.”
Over 3000 participants from over 140 countries have gathered in Riyadh for the WTTC Summit including Government Ministers and leaders of the world’s largest hotel chains and hospitality businesses.  The event is the most is the most influential travel and tourism event of the year.
Source: Zawya.com

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The newly admitted UNWTO members reflect the diversity of the broad tourism sector, with private companies, Destination Management Organizations, universities, professional associations, Intergovernmental Organization and NGOs, all represented. The new additions also reflect UNWTO’s global mission, six from Europe; four from the Americas; four from Asia and the Pacific; two from Africa and two from the Middle East.
We are proud to see the Affiliate Members network growing while adding value to the Organization, and wish a warm welcome to the 18 new entities joining our community
In accordance with the current legal process of admission, the 18 candidatures were submitted for consideration and approval of the 117th Executive Council after being previously reviewed and endorsed by the Committee on Matters related to Affiliate Membership, during the meeting of the Committee that took place on 17 November. With this official approval of the Executive Council, the new members can enjoy all the rights and benefits corresponding to this UNWTO membership, in accordance with the statutes and rules of the Organization.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “We are proud to see the Affiliate Members network growing while adding value to the Organization, and wish a warm welcome to the 18 new entities joining our community.”
The 18 new Affiliate Members are:ADVERTISEMENTAsociación Española de Directores y Directivos de Hotel (Spain)Busan Tourism Organization (Republic of Korea)Cappadocia University / Kapadokya Üniversitesi (Türkiye)Comité International Des Festivals Du Film Touristique – CIFFT (Austria)Escuela Profesional De Turismo De La Universidad Nacional De San Antonio Abad Del Cusco (Peru)Eturia CLM (Spain)Hospitality & Tourism Association of Eswatini (Eswatini, the Kingdom of)Innovaris SL (Spain)Jeddah Central Development Company (Saudi Arabia)Johannesburg Tourism Company (South Africa)Manifest Destinations Group, INC. (United States of America)National Inbound and Domestic Tourism Association of Moldova (Moldova)ONWARD (United States of America)Osaka University of Tourism (Japan)Pacific Tourism Organization (Fiji)Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (Jordan)PT. Pintu Bali Digital (Indonesia)Smart Tourism & Hospitality Consulting SA – SMART THC (Panama)

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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has today unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the climate footprint of the global Travel & Tourism sector.
The findings were launched today at the global tourism body’s 22nd Global Summit in Riyadh by the World Travel & Tourism Council and the Saudi-based Sustainable Global Tourism Center.In a world-first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures.During her opening speech Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC announced the findings of the Environmental & Social Research (ESR). In one of the largest research projects of its kind ever undertaken, WTTC can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact industries within the sector have on the environment.
Previous estimates have suggested that the global Travel & Tourism sector was responsible for up to 11% of all emissions. However, WTTC’s pioneering research shows that in 2019 the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions totalled just 8.1% globally.
The divergence of the sector’s economic growth from its climate footprint between 2010 and 2019 is evidence that Travel & Tourism’s economic growth is decoupling from its greenhouse gas emissions. 
These emissions have been falling consistently since 2010 as the result of technological developments, as well as the introduction of a number of energy efficiency measures across industries within the sector. ADVERTISEMENTBetween 2010 and 2019 our sector’s GDP has grown on average 4.3% annually whilst its environmental footprint has only increased by 2.4%.
The broader Environmental & Social Research (ESR) will include measures of the sector’s impact against a range of indicators, including pollutants, energy sources, water use, as well as social data, including age, wage and gender profiles of Travel & Tourism related employment.
WTTC will continue to announce new data on how the sector fares against these indicators throughout 2023.
Governments around the world now have a tool to inform their decision-making and accelerate environmental change more accurately.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Until now we did not have a sector-wide way to accurately measure our climate footprint. This data will give governments the detailed information they need to make progress against the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“Travel & Tourism is making huge strides to decarbonise, but Governments must set the framework. We need a steely focus on increasing the production of Sustainable Aviation fuels with Government incentives. The technology exists. We also need greater use of renewable energy in our national grids – so when we turn on a light in a hotel room, it is using a sustainable energy source.
“8.1% is the stake in the ground. The key is to become more efficient and decoupling the rate at which we grow from the amount of energy we consume From today, every decision, every change, will lead to a better and brighter future for all.”
Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb added: “We are proud to be a partner to the WTTC in this important research that will monitor impact for the future.
Saudi Arabia recognizes that travellers and investors want policies that promote sustainability in the industry and we have embarked on a journey that will make the Kingdom a pioneer in sustainable tourism.
“Under the Saudi Green Initiative, we launched more than 60 initiatives in the past year to do just that. The first wave of initiatives represent more than $186 billion of investment in the green economy.”

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