by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:45 PM ET, Wed June 6, 2018
The World Tourism Organization is calling for greater awareness of sustainability in tourism policies, business practices, and even tourist behavior.
The UNWTO issued its message today in Brussels as part of the release of its "Tourism for Development" publication.
The publication is designed to provide concrete recommendations regarding the use tourism as an effective means for achieving sustainable development. It also underscores the fact that tourism has a global reach and can have positive effects on many other sectors.
"Not only does the sector spearhead growth, it also improves the quality of people's lives, supports environmental protection, champions diverse cultural heritage and strengthens peace in the world," said UNWTO in a statement. "Moreover, if well planned and managed, tourism can effectively and directly contribute to the shift towards more sustainable lifestyles and consumption and production patterns."
But to reach that point, the tourism sector must, as an agent of positive change, make evidence-based decisions that ensure a consistent contribution to sustainability, UNWTO said.
The new two-volume report showcases 23 case studies of tourism around the world contributing to sustainable development in all its dimensions.
"This report offers tangible, wide-ranging evidence of the fact that tourism can make a meaningful and substantial contribution to achieving sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda," UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said in a statement.
Tourism is portrayed as a driver of sustainable development in the UNWTO publication, one that can lay the groundwork for stakeholders to build on tourism's opportunities by changing policies, business practices, and consumer behavior.
According to the UNWTO report, this requires measuring tourism's impact accurately and regularly. The new publication also calls on governments to establish and enforce inclusive and integrated policy frameworks for sustainable tourism development.
Businesses, on the other hand, need to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability in core business models and value chains.
As for individuals and civil society, UNWTO says they should also adopt sustainable practices and behavior.
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