On the eve of the official G20 Tourism Ministers’ meeting in Belem, Brazil, a side event brought together high-level representatives from leading global tourism economies to discuss a fresh approach to tourism policy and governance. The event, organized by UNWTO, emphasized the need to shift the focus to people and the planet, recognizing the critical role of tourism in both economic growth and societal impact.
The meeting highlighted the potential for tourism to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in reducing inequalities within and between nations.
Opening the event, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commended Brazil’s G20 Presidency for its focus on inclusion and sustainability. He stressed that while tourism offers immense opportunities for job creation and bringing people together, achieving true transformation requires new policies and governance models that place communities and the environment at the center. “We need stronger coordination of all government agencies as well as among national and local stakeholders,” he said.
Celso Sabino, Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, echoed the need for responsible tourism development, saying, “Tourism, when developed in a responsible manner, protecting the environment, culture and history, is the most prosperous way for the development of nations.”
In light of the global challenges facing the world, participants recognized the growing complexities of the tourism sector and called for a rethinking of tourism planning and management. The event emphasized the pressing need for:
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Prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity
: To ensure tourism’s benefits reach all communities and minimize its environmental impact.*
Strengthening governance
: To foster collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and local communities.*
Investing in human capital
: To develop skills and knowledge for a thriving tourism workforce.*
Leveraging technology
: To enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and enhance the visitor experience.*
Promoting responsible tourism
: To minimize the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, culture, and local communities.G20 economies account for over 70% of international tourist arrivals and global tourism receipts, contributing 82% of the industry’s worldwide GDP. In 2023, tourism directly contributed 3.1% to the G20’s GDP, totaling USD 2.8 trillion, and represented 5% of the group’s exports, including 23% of all service exports (USD 1.3 trillion). In 2023, G20 nations saw 900 million international tourist arrivals. During the first seven months of 2024, international arrivals to G20 countries recovered to 97% of pre-pandemic levels, with standout growth from Saudi Arabia (+73%), Türkiye (+15%), Spain (+11%), Japan (+7%), and Brazil (+1%), all exceeding their 2019 figures.
Notable speakers at the UN Tourism side event included Mr. Kanan Gasimov, Head of Administration at the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan; HE Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism of Canada; HE Verónica Pardo, Undersecretary of Tourism of Chile; HE Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism of India; HE Martini M. Paham, Deputy Minister for Human Resources and Institutions at Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy; HE Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism of Jamaica; HE Sultan AlMusallam, Vice Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia; HE Jordi Hereu Boher, Minister of Industry and Tourism of Spain; HE Alex Lasry, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel & Tourism for the USA; and Pedro Martel, Division Chief of Environment, Rural Development, and Disaster Risk Management at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
