In conjunction with World Environment Day, the UNWTO-led One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme has unveiled its new vision for global tourism – and that is the need to build towards a more sustainable and resilient recovery.
The One Planet Vision for the Responsible Recovery of the Tourism Sector builds on the UNWTO Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism, with the aim to emerge stronger and more sustainable from the Covid-19 crisis.
The Vision is structured around six lines of action to guide responsible tourism recovery for people, planet and prosperity, namely, public health, social inclusion, biodiversity conservation, climate action, circular economy, and governance and finance.
UNWTO’s call to sustainability action come as several destinations across the world start to loosen restrictions on travel and mobility, and the tourism sector readies to relaunch.
“Sustainability must no longer be a niche part of tourism, but must be the new norm for every part of our sector. This is one of the central elements of our Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism. It is in our hands to transform tourism and emerging from Covid-19 becomes a turning point for sustainability,” said UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.
The One Planet Vision calls for a more sustainable recovery for the tourism sector, which will boost its resilience to better tackle future crises. The Vision will support the development and implementation of recovery plans, which contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to the Paris Agreement.
At a time when governments and the private sector are embarking on the path to recovery, the time is right to keep advancing towards a more economically, social and environmentally sustainable tourism model, said UNWTO in a press statement.
Sabina Fluxà, vice-chairman and CEO of Iberostar Group, said that the hotel group “has responded by integrating sustainability in elevated safety protocols and further committing to our circular economy policies to ensure any new waste is managed properly”.
