The Diplomat
Contributing to the economic and social impact of tourism on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is one of the major challenges in which the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is working to engage both the public and private sectors.
The aim is to make sustainability not just a niche of tourism, but the norm for the entire sector for the future. For this reason, the UNWTO stresses that the guidelines on sustainable management practices must be applied to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations.
In collaboration with the United Nations and different companies in the sector, the UNWTO launched the One Planet Sustainable Tourism programme. Contributing to the economic and social impact of tourism on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is its main objective.
The One Planet Sustainable Tourism programme is one of the six programmes that make up the One Planet Network, which has a common strategy articulated in three work areas: plastic pollution, food waste and climate change.
It functions as a shareholder association that promotes initiatives focused on separating the growth of tourism from the increasing use of natural resources. The programme is linked to Sustainable Development Goals 12, 13, 14 and 15 (respectively on responsible consumption and production, climate action, and protection of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
The Global Tourism and Plastics Initiative is part of the One Planet programme. It aims to eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and articles, take measures to increase recycling and promote investments to extend the reuse of plastics.
To achieve these objectives, UNWTO supports companies, destinations, associations and NGOs by sharing information, encouraging good practices, promoting innovation and giving visibility to the measures implemented and the leadership of the sector.
Sustainable tourism must also bring a high degree of satisfaction to tourists and represent a significant experience for them, making them more aware of sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
