Friday 29 March 2024
 
»
 
»
Story

Eco-tourism is becoming popular.
Image: Kisa_Markiza/Bigstock

World to focus on sustainable tourism this year

MADRID, January 2, 2017

The tourism industry across the world will have 12 months to celebrate and promote the contribution of the sector to building a better world as this year is being marked as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017.

The official launch will take place in Madrid on January 18 on the occasion of the Spanish Tourism Fair, FITUR.

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development recalling the potential of tourism to advance the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The International Year aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behaviour towards a more sustainable tourism sector than can contribute effectively to the SDGs.

"This is a unique opportunity to build a more responsible and committed tourism sector that can capitalise its immense potential in terms of economic prosperity, social inclusion, peace and understanding, cultural and environmental preservation” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

Accounting for 7 per cent of worldwide exports, one in 11 jobs and 10 per cent of the world’s GDP, the tourism sector if well managed can foster inclusive economic growth, social inclusiveness and the protection of cultural and natural assets.

The International Year will promote tourism’s role in the following five key areas:
(1) Inclusive and sustainable economic growth;
(2) Social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction;
(3) Resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change;
(4) Cultural values, diversity and heritage; and
(5)   Mutual understanding, peace and security.  -TradeArabia News Service




Tags: tourism | sustainable | UNWTO |

More Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Stories

calendarCalendar of Events

Ads