International Tourism body collaborates with G20 leadership on shaping tourism policy and governance structures of the future

International Tourism body collaborates with G20 leadership on shaping tourism policy and governance structures of the future

The G20 Ministers of Tourism recently gathered for a meeting under the Brazilian Presidency, endorsing a new policy agenda aimed at revitalizing and future-proofing the tourism sector. The meeting, which also saw the participation of high-level representatives from Azerbaijan, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the USA, the InterAmerican Development Bank, and Brazil, among others, was held in collaboration with the OECD to ensure resilience and competitiveness in the tourism sector.

The new policy agenda focuses on implementing sustainable policies with a focus on green and digital transformation, government investment, and infrastructure development. Key elements of this agenda include:

1. Green Tourism: The promotion of environmentally friendly tourism practices to reduce carbon footprints and conserve natural and cultural resources.
2. Digitalization: The advancement of digital innovation to improve tourism services, such as smart-city apps, mobile payment platforms, and accessible booking systems.
3. Skills Development and MSME Support: Building capacity in local communities and small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to enable inclusive and sustainable tourism growth.
4. Destination Management: Enhancing strategies that ensure sustainable and responsible management of tourist destinations.
5. Collaboration and Inclusion: Encouraging cooperation between governments, industry, and local communities to foster job creation, capacity building, and market access globally.

The G20 Tourism Ministers' Declaration and the Goa Roadmap for Tourism provide a structured approach toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through tourism. This agenda aims to make tourism more resilient, inclusive, carbon neutral, and resource efficient, aligning with global sustainability imperatives while preserving cultural heritage and promoting economic growth.

In 2023, the G20 economies generated 5% of all exports and 23% of service exports (USD 1.3 trillion), received 900 million international tourist arrivals, and the tourism sector directly contributed 3.1% to the GDP of the G20 (USD 2.8 trillion). Notably, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Japan, Brazil, and Turkey led growth in international tourist arrivals to the G20 and had already surpassed 2019 levels by the first seven months of 2024.

The United Nations recently approved a Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism, further emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in the tourism sector. The impact of tourism in its three dimensions (economic, social, and environmental) should be improved and measured at national and local levels.

In conclusion, the G20's sustainable tourism policy agenda prioritizes environmental sustainability, digital transformation, inclusive skills development, and collaborative governance to future-proof the tourism sector post-pandemic and support global sustainable development goals.

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