THE GLOBAL PICTURE – WHY NOW

The headline: Tourism accounts for approximately 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions . Food waste alone in the tourism sector contributes up to 10% of global greenhouse gases . With over 600 million guests served annually by tourism businesses, the sector’s environmental footprint is under unprecedented scrutiny .

The policy driver: The United Nations has declared 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism – a formal recognition that sustainability is no longer a niche concern but the central organizing principle for the sector’s future .

“Sustainable and resilience are not final goals but a continuous process. The International Year 2027 will enable UN Tourism to support our member states in positioning tourism as a truly transformative sector for the post-2030 agenda.”
— Shaikha Al Nuwais , Secretary-General, UN Tourism