Investing in People, Planet, and Prosperity
The overall disruption in the tourism sector brought about by COVID-19, provides an opportunity to redefine and recalibrate the direction and narratives of tourism investments for a more sustainable future for the People, the Planet, and prosperity.
This World Tourism Day 2023, the UNWTO, under the theme “Tourism and green investment” highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN roadmap for a better world by 2030. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.
Visit the World Tourism Organization’s website
The UN World Tourism Organization has prepared a website and digital materials for social networks. Let’s all contribute to promote tourism investments focused on achieving a better world for the benefit of all.
How tourism should invest to contribute to the SDGs
The possibilities of strategic investment for this triple dimension are immense:
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For the People by investing in education and skills
Looking ahead, the global tourism workforce will require millions of hospitality graduates annually between now and 2030 and a further 800,000 jobs a year will require specific vocational training. For these reasons, we need to invest in people, as they are the foundation of tourism so that all those who wish to be part of the sector have the same opportunities to access quality tourism training, anywhere in the world.
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For the Planet by investing in sustainable infrastructure and accelerating green transformation
Looking into the future, the need to reduce emissions provides an investment opportunity of $24.7 trillion in the green buildings sector of emerging market cities by 2030, in which hotels, resorts, and restaurants account for $1.5 trillion. In addition, tourism faces a lot more investment opportunities related to new solutions and technologies to decarbonize the sector as well as to ensure climate-resilient infrastructure through adaptation solutions.
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For Prosperity by investing in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship
Digitalization and innovation programs are a strategic priority to support particularly young people and women, which are critical to upskill the tourism sector’s workforce. Moreover, the global need to increase investments in programs that support and incentivize entrepreneurship and generate opportunities for innovations is highly need it in the tourism sector.
In order to succeed, let’s make this World Tourism Day a call to action to the international community, governments, multilateral financial institutions, development partners, and private sector investors to unite around a new tourism investment strategy.
Did you know?
- Tourism employs one in every ten people on Earth.
- Tourism in rural areas can particularly benefit traditionally disadvantaged groups such as women - who make up 54% of the workforce in the tourism sector compared to 39% for the whole economy - youth and Indigenous people.
- In emerging destinations, 50% of young people are unable to work in tourism due to a lack of opportunity, resources, or access to academic training.
Follow our event live!
The UN World Tourism Organization wants you to join the celebration online ( 27-28 September). You can follow its two-day event through its website or its YouTube channel.
