As the G20 Ministers of Tourism prepared to convene, a significant side event took place, calling for a fundamental shift in tourism policy and governance. Hosted under Brazil’s G20 Presidency, the event brought together high-level representatives from key tourism nations, including Azerbaijan, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and the USA, alongside the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The event emphasized the powerful role tourism plays in both the global economy and society, highlighting its untapped potential to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while reducing inequalities. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili applauded Brazil’s focus on inclusion and sustainability, stating that “The challenges ahead of us are immense. As so are the opportunities offered by a sector that creates jobs and brings people together like no other. Yet, to really transform our sector, we need new policies and new governance models. We need to place communities and the environment at the centre of our polices and we need stronger coordination of all government agencies as well as among national and local stakeholders.”
Echoing this sentiment, Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, emphasized the importance of responsible tourism, stating “UN Tourism is bringing to Belem, an essential debate for the tourism sector but also for the world. Sustainability is a priority for the government of the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and tourism when developed in a responsible manner, protecting the environment, culture and history, is the most prosperous way for the development of nations. And Brazil is leading this so much needed and urgent debate. We are very happy to host the G20 Tourism here at the heart of the Amazon, the capital of Pará.”
The event underscored the need for a comprehensive rethinking of tourism planning, governance, and management. With tourism’s rapid growth comes a rise in multidimensional externalities, requiring a more holistic approach to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability.
Several key takeaways emerged:
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G20 economies are tourism giants:
Accounting for over 70% of international tourist arrivals and receipts, and 82% of the sector’s global GDP, the G20 nations hold significant influence in shaping the future of global tourism.*
Tourism’s economic impact is substantial:
In 2023, tourism directly contributed 3.1% of the G20’s GDP (USD 2.8 trillion) and generated 5% of all exports from the group. Service exports, worth USD 1.3 trillion, constituted 23% of all G20 service exports.*
Post-pandemic recovery is underway:
In 2023, G20 economies welcomed 900 million international tourist arrivals, and by the first seven months of 2024, tourist arrivals across G20 countries had reached 97% of pre-pandemic levels. Several nations, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Spain, Japan, and Brazil, even surpassed their 2019 numbers, signaling a strong resurgence.The side event featured keynote speakers from leading tourism economies, including Mr. Kanan Gasimov, Head of Administration for Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency, and several ministers, including HE Soraya Martinez Ferrada from Canada, HE Verónica Pardo from Chile, HE Gajendra Singh Shekhawat from India, and HE Martini M. Paham from Indonesia. Also present were HE Edmund Bartlett from Jamaica, HE Sultan AlMusallam from Saudi Arabia, HE Jordi Hereu Boher from Spain, HE Alex Lasry from the USA, and Pedro Martel from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Each leader shared valuable perspectives on how tourism can foster sustainable development, address inequality, and support long-term economic resilience.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from global tourism leaders to make sustainable tourism a reality. This commitment underscores the importance of placing people and the planet at the heart of global tourism’s future, ensuring that the sector contributes not only to economic growth, but also to social inclusion and environmental sustainability. The discussions at the side event will undoubtedly shape the upcoming G20 Ministers of Tourism meeting, as they chart a course for a more inclusive and sustainable tourism sector.
