The COVID-19 The pandemic brought the entire tourism industry to a halt, dealing a “heavy blow to the global economy,” he said. speak First High-level thematic debate on sustainable tourism.
“In 2019, before the pandemic, tourism contributed $3.5 trillion to global GDP. The drop in rainfall during the pandemic is estimated to cost up to 120 million jobs.”
Community role
While it is easy to sum up the devastation in numbers, it is much more difficult to capture the total loss of people, communities and services, especially for many small island states and less developed countries. most developed countries, which still rely heavily on tourism to drive public spending.
Looking beyond the numbers, tourism plays a deeply humane role: “Tourism and tourism connect and unite us… building bridges and facilitating exchanges between cultures…[and] promote peace and solidarity across continents and borders,” said Mr.
Creative tourism
From “travel bubbles” to digital tours, vaccine passports and “resilient corridors,” imaginative efforts have been made to help travel through two years of COVID.
“As the pandemic breaks out, the tourism industry is recovering,” he said, referring to the “human need to connect, discover, experience.”
“However, as it recovers, it is important that we think about its future direction.”
Challenges ahead
While acknowledging the economic importance of tourism, the Chair of the Council warned that we must also contend with the harm it does to the planet, such as carbon emissions; oceans full of plastic; and human damage to ecosystems and wildlife.
He added: “We know that many of the communities and historic sites around the world that are popular with tourists are climate and disaster prone and need support to build resilience. .
According to the United Nations Environment Program Green economic reporta ‘business as usual’ scenario predicts that by 2050 tourism will generate 154% increase in energy consumption, for this sector, 131% of greenhouse gas emissions, 152% of water consumption and 251% focus on solid waste treatment.
“We cannot allow this to continue. We must not restart the global tourism industry in the usual way, we must be more ambitious, more responsible“Mr. Shahid emphasized.
‘Time for bold action’
During the discussions, UN officials encouraged the parties to address their commitments in accordance with Sustainable development goals (SDG) and Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and promoting inclusion and empowerment of women, youth, indigenous peoples and other marginalized communities
“Today, I appeal to all stakeholders Seize every opportunity to transform the tourism industry and move towards a more responsible, inclusive and sustainable approach“I said.
“Now is the time for bold action and ideas are welcome.”
United Nations News / Elizabeth Scaffidi
Via rickshaw, visitors explore the historic Chandni Chowk market in Delhi, India.
Invest in tourism
The head of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) Zurab Pololikashvili noted that the current energy crisis contributes to the vulnerability of the tourism industry, and said that investment in tourism is also an investment. for peace.
He said tourism is particularly important for the livelihoods of women, youth and rural communities, and championed need a fresh, sustainable balance between the short-term needs of tourists and the long-term needs of the community.
The WTO official stressed that tourism can foster positive change, and praised the diverse sectors that have engaged in a “landmark” conversation about sustainability.
Industry support
The World Bank’s Director of Global Practice for Cities, Disaster Risk, Resilience and Land, Sameh Wahba, spoke about sustainable cities and communities that are resilient and inclusive .
He said that tourism employs 10% of the global workforce, and it presents important opportunities for women, rural communities and small businesses.
Mr. Wahba advocates supporting nations promote sustainable tourism to benefit poor communities and preserve culture, heritage and the environmentt.
Supports SDGs
Undersecretary of the United Nations Amina Mohammed commented that “travel is in disarray”, largely due to the COVID pandemic, but also to contexts of conflict, including Ukraine.
She stressed that sustainability remains at the core of tourism, advocating transforming the industry into an active force in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
