Tourism, a factor of sustainable development

Tourism has become today an important global phenomenon contributing significantly to national, regional and local economies in every corner of the world, stimulating growth, jobs and development. This is the case of many... [ view full abstract ]

Tourism has become today an important global phenomenon contributing significantly to national, regional and local economies in every corner of the world, stimulating growth, jobs and development.

This is the case of many high mountain regions and coastal environments which have had a strong appeal to tourists throughout history and have developed into thriving tourism destinations. Mountainous and coastal environments are often sensitive and fragile, containing important habitats and rich biodiversity. Developing tourism in a sustainable manner is of utmost importance to preserve the environment and the well-being of host communities, and should receive a high priority in governance and management processes at local and national level.

Likewise, partnerships among all stakeholders are essential to the growth and sustainability of destinations, particularly in the context of the current economic climate where knowledge transfer, effective coordination and network building play an ever important role.

UNWTO has been a strong advocate of multi-stakeholder collaboration for many years as it provides an indispensable platform for forging consensus between governments, the private sector and civil society organizations for joint action.

With the right investment and guidance, tourism can be a lead change agent in the move to a Green Economy by driving economic growth and job creation while simultaneously improving resource efficiency, minimizing environmental degradation and raising environmental awareness among travellers.