World Tourism Urges G20 Countries to Pioneer the Evolution of the Travel Industry
The G20 economies, generating 82% of the global tourism industry's GDP, are spearheading a comprehensive approach to foster a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive tourism future. This commitment was affirmed at the G20 Ministers of Tourism meeting in Belem, Brazil, where the Belém Declaration was adopted.
The declaration, closed by the Minister of Tourism of Brazil, Celso Sabino, emphasizes a collective commitment to promoting a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive tourism worldwide. The G20's integrated approach encompasses harnessing digital innovation and AI to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), embedding climate sustainability in tourism destinations, fostering inclusive growth through capacity-building and youth engagement, and mainstreaming sustainable policies that conserve natural and cultural heritage.
One key initiative is the Digital Transformation and AI for Tourism MSMEs. South Africa is leveraging AI and digital innovation to empower tourism MSMEs. The G20 Tourism community engagement event in Mpumalanga promotes people-centered AI to create new business opportunities, promote sustainability, job creation, and youth entrepreneurship in tourism. The G20 Tourism Hackathon fosters innovation through AI-driven visitor systems, accessible booking platforms, and cultural storytelling apps, emphasizing e-skills development for the future workforce.
Another focus area is Sustainable Tourism Growth Plans with an inclusion focus. South Africa's Tourism Growth Partnership Plan builds on collaboration among government, industry, and local communities to create jobs, build capacity, and promote sustainable and inclusive travel that includes local voices, particularly students and entrepreneurs, to shape the sector’s future.
Climate-Smart Conservation and Sustainable Destinations are also a priority. The G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group, under South Africa’s leadership, is developing the Kruger-Kirstenbosch-iSimangaliso Iconic Status Strategy (KISS). This transforms iconic natural sites into world-class destinations centered on conservation, education, sustainable tourism infrastructure, and digital innovation, promoting environmental resilience and low-impact visitor experiences.
India, another G20 member, is advancing sustainable tourism with initiatives like the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, aiming for carbon neutrality, resource efficiency, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive growth in tourism. Similar efforts across G20 economies aim to mainstream sustainability in tourism policies, promoting cultural heritage preservation alongside economic growth.
Youth Engagement and Skills Development are also essential components of the G20's strategy. Programs emphasize building digital and e-skills among youth and communities, nurturing innovation hubs and start-up ecosystems linked to tourism. This supports inclusivity and creates equitable economic opportunities for historically marginalized groups, empowering them as future leaders in tourism.
Inclusive Promotion and Market Access are also underway to open global markets to local tourism businesses and promote cultural legacies globally, ensuring diverse communities benefit from tourism growth and market integration.
The tourism sector directly contributed to 3.1% of the GDP of the G20 in 2023, accounting for 5% of all exports and 23% of all service exports. Despite its significant economic contributions, the total Official Development Assistance disbursements for tourism remain below 0.25% of total ODA.
The UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, stated that the tourism sector is expected to recover pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year. He emphasized the need to focus on empowering local communities, fighting climate change, and progressing nature net positive and circularity in the future. ILO data shows that around 880,000 tourism jobs annually will require specialized training until 2030.
The G20 Tourism and SDGs Platform, developed by the G20 Tourism in collaboration with UN Tourism, and the G20 Tourism and SDGs Dashboard are available for download. The tourism sector's direct GDP value recovered fully in 2023 at US$ 2.8 trillion. International tourism in the G20 economies recovered 97% of its pre-pandemic levels in the seven months of 2024.
Pololikashvili praised Brazil's G20 Presidency focus on inclusion and sustainability, emphasizing the sector's dependence on biodiversity, climate stability, and natural resources, and stressing the importance of accelerating climate action in tourism for its resilience.
This integrated approach reflects a commitment to a people-centered, climate-resilient, digitally skilled, and inclusive tourism economy.
- The G20 economies, spearheading a sustainable and resilient tourism future, have collectively committed to promoting a more inclusive global tourism through digital innovation and AI, climate sustainability in tourism destinations, empowering MSMEs, promoting sustainable policies, and conserving natural and cultural heritage.
- South Africa is leveraging AI and digital innovation to empower tourism MSMEs, promoting sustainability, job creation, and youth entrepreneurship, while the G20 Tourism community engagement event in Mpumalanga champions people-centered AI.
- The G20 Tourism Hackathon fosters innovation through AI-driven visitor systems, accessible booking platforms, and cultural storytelling apps, with an emphasis on e-skills development for the future workforce.
- South Africa's Tourism Growth Partnership Plan focuses on collaboration among government, industry, and local communities to create jobs, build capacity, and promote sustainable and inclusive travel, particularly involving students and entrepreneurs.
- Climate-Smart Conservation and Sustainable Destinations are a priority for the G20, with the Kruger-Kirstenbosch-iSimangaliso Iconic Status Strategy (KISS) aiming to transform iconic natural sites into world-class destinations centered on conservation, education, and digital innovation.
- India, another G20 member, is advancing sustainable tourism with initiatives like the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, striving for carbon neutrality, resource efficiency, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive growth in tourism.
- Youth Engagement and Skills Development are essential components of the G20's strategy, with programs focusing on building digital and e-skills among youth and communities, and supporting inclusivity and equitable economic opportunities.
- Inclusive promotion and market access are underway to open global markets to local tourism businesses, ensuring diverse communities benefit from tourism growth and market integration, and aligning with the UN Tourism Secretary-General's emphasis on empowering local communities and fighting climate change.
