The G20 Tourism Ministers gathered in Belem, Brazil, to discuss the future of the tourism sector. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili announced that the tourism sector is on track to reach pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024. However, he stressed that this recovery should not be seen as a victory lap but as a new starting point for a more sustainable and inclusive tourism industry.
The Secretary-General highlighted the vital role tourism plays in driving development and underscored the importance of addressing climate change, empowering local communities, and advancing nature-positive and circular economies. “Tourism heavily depends on biodiversity, climate stability, and natural resources. Accelerating climate action in tourism is critical for the resilience of the sector and host communities,” Mr. Pololikashvili stated. He praised Brazil’s G20 presidency for its focus on inclusion and sustainability.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Belem Declaration, which reaffirms the commitment of G20 member states to promoting sustainable, resilient, and inclusive tourism worldwide. Brazilian Tourism Minister Celso Sabino declared that the declaration represents a collective commitment to building a better future for tourism.
During the meeting, UNWTO emphasized the crucial importance of education and skills development for the future of the tourism sector. “ILO data shows that around 880,000 tourism jobs annually will require specialized training until 2030, and 25% of tourism stakeholders report significant shortages in skilled employees, particularly in customer service and managerial roles,” Mr. Pololikashvili noted.
Recognizing the significant role tourism plays in driving development, the UNWTO expressed support for the G20’s focus on financing initiatives aimed at advancing tourism-driven development. “For many developing countries, including Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, tourism is a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and tax revenues. Yet, the sector continues to be overlooked as a tool for development, with the total Official Development Assistance disbursements for tourism remaining below 0.25% of total ODA,” Mr. Pololikashvili said.
The Secretary-General expressed gratitude for the Belem Declaration’s recognition of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (SF-MST), a valuable tool for generating reliable, comparable, and comprehensive data on tourism’s economic, social, and environmental impacts. He also acknowledged the G20 Tourism and SDGs Platform, developed in partnership with the UNWTO, as a key initiative.
The G20 economies account for over 70% of all international tourist arrivals and tourism receipts worldwide, as well as 82% of global tourism GDP. In 2023, the tourism sector contributed directly to 3.1% of the G20’s GDP, representing 5% of all exports and 23% of service exports within the group. By mid-2024, international tourism in the G20 economies had recovered 97% of its pre-pandemic levels. The direct GDP generated by G20 tourism fully rebounded in 2023, reaching US$ 2.8 trillion.
