How global travel boom can spark a sustainable economy

With tourism projected to increase over the next two decades, the potential for achieving global economic benchmarks is high.

According to a new forecast put out by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourism is set to reach a staggering 1.8 billion by 2030 – growing at a more moderate yet sustained pace than past decades with the number of international tourist arrivals increasing globally by around 3.3% each year.

By the numbers, this will add an over 40 million tourists (and their dollars) to the tourism economy every single year.

Citing this “inclusive growth,”, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai says that it “offers  immense possibilities as these can also be years of leadership, with tourism leading economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability.”

Global economic growth potential

In absolute terms, the emerging economies of Asia, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East, and Africa will gain an average 30 million arrivals a year, compared to 14 million in the traditional destinations of the advanced economies of North America, Europe and Asia, and the Pacific.

By 2015, emerging economies will receive more international tourist arrivals than advanced economies, and by 2030 their share is expected to reach 58%.

But according to Rifai, the coming years are crucial – any destination looking to realize the full, positive impact of this travel “boom” must do so responsibly in order for global development objectives to be achieved.

“Established, as well as new destinations, can benefit from this trend and opportunity,” said Rifai, “provided they shape the appropriate conditions and policies with regard to business environment, infrastructure, facilitation, marketing, and human resources.

“Nevertheless, alongside this opportunity, challenges will also arise in terms of maximizing tourism’s social and economic benefits while minimizing negative impacts. As such, it is more important than ever that all tourism development be guided by the principles of sustainable development.”

Tourism ministers and top United Nations (UN) officials have stressed the importance of tourism in reaching the social and economic development targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Harnessing tourism growth and social mobility

According to UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro, tourism can contribute to eradicating extreme poverty and hunger through improving basic infrastructure and services” while “community-oriented tourism can promote women’s social and economic mobility.”

Tourism is “an industry that can power economic development in a sustainable manner,” said Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, special advisor to the UN Secretary-General.

“We have a unique opportunity to place tourism as part of the debate,” added Rifa, highlighting  how tourism, identified by the UN as one of ten key sectors for a green economy, could deliver on the objective of building a safer, more equitable, greener and more prosperous world for all.

For more information, visit www.UNWTO.org.