2017: International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

MANILA, Philippines – The start of 2017 also marks the start of the celebration to uphold tourism as a significant tool to ensure global economic, social and environmental sustainability.

In a resolution released on Dec. 4, 2015, the United Nations General Assembly decided to adopt 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development as it recognized the potential of a well-developed and managed tourism industry to contribute to sustainable development.

The celebration is also seen as a way to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals approved by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

“This is a unique opportunity to build a more responsible and committed tourism sector that can capitalize its immense potential in terms of economic prosperity, social inclusion, peace and understanding, cultural and environmental preservation,” UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) secretary-general Taleb Rifai said in a statement posted by Pacific Asia Travel Association.

According to UNWTO, the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development aims to promote tourism’s role in five key areas, namely: (1) inclusive and sustainable economic growth; (2) social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction; (3) resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change; (4) cultural values, diversity and heritage; (5) mutual understanding, peace and security.

It also supports calls for changes in policies, business practices and consumer behavior that will translate to a more sustainable tourism sector and overall sustainable development.

The whole year will be dedicated to events and conferences focusing on the responsible and sustainable development of the tourism industry headed by the UNWTO.

The opening ceremony of the International Year will be held on Jan. 18 in Madrid, Spain.

“The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development is a unique opportunity to raise awareness on the contribution of sustainable tourism to development among public and private sector decision-makers and the general public, while mobilizing all stakeholders to work together in making tourism a catalyst for positive change,” Rifai said.

Various public and private partners have expressed their support for the initiative.

The Philippines, for its part, is set to host the 6th International Conference on Tourism Statistics on June 21 to 24 this year.

The Department of Tourism said the conference will focus on topics regarding the measurement of sustainable tourism, especially as it coincides with the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

Representatives from UNWTO’s 163 member-countries, as well as 500 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities are expected to participate in the conference.

Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said tourism has become a powerful and transformative force that is making a genuine difference in the lives of millions of people with the more than one billion international tourists now traveling the world each year.

“The potential of tourism for sustainable development is considerable. As one of the world’s leading employment sectors, tourism provides important livelihood opportunities, helping to alleviate poverty and drive inclusive development,” Ban said.

According to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, the tourism sector contributed 9.8 percent of the global GDP in 2015. It generated 284 million jobs, or one in every 11 jobs in the world.  – With Pia Lee Brago