UN Tourism and World Tourism Alliance (WTA), in a new report, highlight the importance of targeted policies, regulatory structures and governance models to ensure that tourism benefits are shared among all members of a community, and promote social equity and inclusion. The report highlights the many ways tourism can help achieve this goal, including through job creation, empowerment of women, community development and development, conservation of natural and cultural heritage, sustainable environmental practices and education.
Zurab Pololikashvili is the UN Secretary-General for Tourism. He says that five years after the deadline of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, it’s clear progress is lagging and that many targets are in danger. Tourism, as one of the world’s largest socio-economic sectors, can help shift this course — but only if we harness its full potential.
In order to do this, we must place communities at the heart of tourism and implement policies that will make our industry a catalyst for inclusive, sustainable growth. UN Tourism is committed to steering this transformation and ensuring the benefits of tourism are shared widely — socially, economically, and environmentally.”
