‘Tourism Must Lead the Way for a Just and Sustainable Future’ – UN Tourism Secretary-General Calls for Action on Climate and Community Development

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BELÉM, Brazil — At the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Belém, Brazil, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the important role tourism plays in shaping a fairer and more sustainable future for both people and the planet. With the sector expected to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year, Pololikashvili called for a shift in focus to the future, prioritizing the empowerment and inclusion of local communities, addressing climate change, and promoting eco-friendly and circular economic practices. .

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The recovery of international tourism is progressing slowly, as reported by UN Tourism. According to the latest data, foreign tourists reached 80% of pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2023, with some regions surpassing these levels. The Middle East and Europe showed the strongest performance, while Asia and the Pacific saw a gradual return due to travel restrictions. This recovery emphasizes the resilience of the tourism sector and its important role in the global economy, contributing to job creation and economic development around the world.

“Tourism is highly dependent on biodiversity, climate sustainability, and natural resources. Accelerating climate action in tourism is essential to strengthening the sector and the communities we serve,” said Secretary-General Pololikashvili.

“The tourism sector is unique in its ability to create job opportunities and bring people together. However, to really change it, we need new policies and governance models that put communities and the environment at the heart of decision-making. We also need strong cooperation at all levels of government and national and local bodies,” he added.

This focus on sustainability reflects an important moment in global tourism, where climate action and community engagement must be at the core of the industry’s long-term resilience and success.

View the source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240921838471/en/

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