UN Tourism Joins G20 Presidency to Discuss Future of Tourism Policies and Governance

UN Tourism has partnered with the G20 Presidency to advance tourism policies and transform governance across the sector. At a side event held on the eve of the official G20 Tourism Ministers’ meeting, discussions centered on a new approach to tourism policy, focusing on people and the planet.

Held under the Brazilian Presidency of the G20, the event saw high-level representatives from countries including India, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Spain, as well as the Inter-American Development Bank. Participants highlighted the vital role tourism plays in economic growth and social inclusion, as well as its potential to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reduce global inequalities.

In his opening address, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili praised Brazil’s focus on inclusion and sustainability, stating, “To transform our sector, we need new policies and governance models that place communities and the environment at the center of tourism development.”

Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the country’s commitment to sustainable tourism. “Sustainability is a priority for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government. Responsible tourism that protects the environment, culture, and history is key to prosperous national development,” Sabino said. The G20 Tourism meeting was notably held in Pará, in the heart of the Amazon.

Key takeaways from the event included:

• A call for new governance models that involve resident consultation, stronger coordination among government agencies, and partnerships with local authorities and the private sector.
• The need for targeted policies on gender equality, social inclusion, climate action, and regional development.
• The importance of improving the measurement of tourism’s impact on economic, social, and environmental dimensions, including the recent approval of the United Nations Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism.

The G20 economies, which account for over 70% of international tourist arrivals, have demonstrated resilience post-pandemic, with countries like Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Turkey surpassing pre-2019 tourist levels. The discussions from this event will guide future strategies aimed at reshaping global tourism governance and policy.

Source: UNWTO