Eco-friendly tourism can help reduce global poverty without negatively impacting the environment. The General Assembly proclaimed 2027 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism Sustainable Development Goals
The UN General Assembly voted unanimously on Monday to proclaim 2027 the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism. Uzbekistan and the Maldives previously took the initiative to adopt a corresponding resolution.
The text of the resolution states that sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, is a multifaceted activity that can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The resolution calls on UN Member States and the UN system United Nations to take effective action in the context of sustainable and resilient tourism, including ecotourism initiatives. It encourages all stakeholders to take advantage of the International Year to promote action at all levels, including through international cooperation, and support sustainable and resilient tourism as a means of promoting and accelerating sustainable development.
Although the tourism industry has been hit hardest by the pandemic, the sector is recovering very quickly. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the international tourism industry’s turnover reached 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023.
The UNWTO General Assembly session held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, last October, reaffirmed the importance of promoting a clear vision for the sector’s long-term transformation around specific priorities.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that, as one of the largest sectors of the global economy, tourism has enormous potential to bring cultures closer together, create new opportunities and promote sustainable development.