PGA calls for sustainable, resilient tourism practices to protect climate

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 17th April. President of the UN General Assembly Denis Francis on Tuesday highlighted the urgent need to boost sustainable and resilient tourism practices to protect the environment while continuing to benefit local economies.

He was speaking at a high-level meeting on tourism as part of the Sustanable week Dennis Francis said it was a vital driver of economic growth and empowerment.

In 2023, the sector contributed three per cent to the global gross domestic product amounted to $3.3 trillion, and employed one in every ten people worldwide.

Small island nations, tourism accounted for 35 per cent of all export earnings and up to 80 per cent of national exports.

Mr. Francis said “Despite the spectacular benefits reaped across its vast supply chains  tourism is also intrinsically susceptible to a host of disruptive forces such as climate change, pandemics, acts of terrorism, and domestic political instability,”.

He expressed concerns about the sector’s environmental and carbon footprint, saying sustainability must be paramount.

“We need a global tourism sector that is sustainable – one with deep local value chains that expand demand for locally made products and services in ways that also directly and positively benefit local communities,” he urged.

He emphasized that the sector should also leverage digital technology to foster innovation and expand opportunities for jobs and economic growth, especially for women, youth, and indigenous and local communities.

“We also need a global tourism sector that is resilient,” said Mr. Francis, stressed the need to minimize its vulnerabilities and boost its ability to withstand external shocks.

He noted that designing infrastructures that can withstand environmental disasters, fostering innovations that enhance economic and social resilience, and diversifying tourism activities to reduce recovery time after disruptive events.

Zurab Pololikashvili, head of the UN World Tourism Organization spoke at the General Assembly event noted that despite today’s pressing challenges, tourism offered a glimmer of hope.

He reflected on the sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic its most significant crisis in history he observed that in 2023, international arrivals rebounded to almost 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, with full recovery expected by the end of 2024.

This recovery must serve as a catalyst for bold action and transformative change, he said.

He emphasized “tourism can and must be a part of this plan for a better future for all.”

The high-level event on tourism followed deliberations on debt sustainability, where speakers outlined the crippling impact of debt on developing economies, and called for urgent reform of the global financial system.

The highlights of the week include dedicated discussions on sustainable transport, infrastructure and energy.