The 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda (SDGs) are an international call to action, a benchmark when it comes to sustainable development. The UN 2030 Agenda directly recalls Tourism in Goal 8, as an instrument of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, in Goal 12 as an example of sustainable consumption and production, and in Goal 14 for a sustainable use of oceans and marine resources. The World Tourism Organisation emphasises how tourism can contribute, directly and indirectly, to the achievement of all 17 goals, if managed sustainably and practiced responsibly. Tour4Blue aims to highlight good sustainability practices, give visibility and map the tourist offer aligned with the principles of sustainable development, promote activities and experiences to undertake while protecting the region, the environment and the communities of the place being visit or in which you live.
“End all forms of poverty in the world”
Tourism is the fastest growing sector in the world. It enables economic development at all levels, generating wealth through job creation. Developing tourism in a sustainable way can have a great impact on communities and be functional to national objectives aimed at reducing poverty, promoting entrepreneurship, supporting small businesses and encouraging the weakest categories, such as young people and women.
“End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”
Tourism can stimulate sustainable agriculture by promoting the production, supply and sale of local products in the hotels, restaurants and shops of tourist destinations, integrating them into the tourism value chain. ‘Agriturismo’ (farmstays) can generate additional income for local producers, favouring more resilient agriculture, while improving the tourist experience.
“nsuring health and wellbeing for all and for all ages”
tourism’s contribution to economic growth and development can have a ripple effect on health and wellbeing. Foreign currency and tourism tax revenues can be reinvested in health care and services, which should be targeted to improve maternal health, reduce child mortality and carry out prevention activities.
“Ensure quality, equitable and inclusive education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”
Tourism has the potential to promote inclusion. A competent workforce is crucial for tourism to thrive. The tourism sector offers direct and indirect job opportunities for young people, women and people with special needs, who should benefit from educational means.
“Achieving gender equality and empowerment (greater strength, self-esteem and awareness) of all women and girls”
Tourism can empower women, particularly through direct job creation and income generation by tourism and hospitality-related SMEs. Tourism can be a tool for women to be active protagonists in every aspect of society.
“Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation facilities for all”
Investments by the tourism sector in the provision of public utilities can be key to ensuring access to water and improved sanitation for all. The efficient use of water by tourist activities, through pollution control and the use of technological innovations can be the key to safeguarding our most precious resource
“Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy systems for all”
As an energy-intensive sector, tourism can accelerate the shift towards increasing shares of renewable energy in the global energy mix. By promoting investment in clean energy sources, tourism can help reduce greenhouse gases, mitigate climate change and improve access to energy for all.
“Encourage lasting, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for al”
Tourism, as a commercial activity of services, represents an important economic sector worldwide and produces one job out of ten. The opportunities for decent work that tourism offers, especially to young people and women, and the policies that promote its diversification, contribute to significantly improving the
socio-economic impact it produces on the local area
“Building resilient infrastructure and promoting innovation and fair, responsible and sustainable industrialisation”
Tourism development is based on good public and private infrastructure. The sector can influence public policies
on their modernisation, making them more sustainable, innovative and
resource efficient. Tourism, moving towards low-carbon growth, can attract more tourists and foreign investmen
“Reducing inequality within and between nations”
Tourism can be a powerful tool to reduce inequalities if it involves local populations and all key actors in its development. Tourism contributes to urban regeneration and rural development, enables people to thrive in their place of origin and reduces depopulation. Tourism is an effective means of economic integration and diversification.
“Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, durable and sustainable”
Tourism can boost urban infrastructure development and accessibility. It contributes to the enhancement and protection of the cultural and natural heritage of a destination. Investments in energy-efficient infrastructure and sustainable transport should result in smarter and greener cities, not only for residents but also for touris
“Ensuring sustainable production and consumption models”
The tourism sector must adopt sustainable consumption and production methods (SCP), accelerating the transition to sustainability. Tools to monitor the impacts of sustainable development for tourism, including energy, water, waste, biodiversity and job creation will result in better economic, social and environmental outcomes
“Take urgent measures to combat climate change and its consequences”
Tourism contributes to and suffers from climate change. Tourism stakeholders should play a leading role in the global response to climate
change. By reducing the carbon footprint of transport and hospitality, tourism can generate a strong reduction in carbon emissions and help address one of the most pressing challenges of our time
“Conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”
Coastal and maritime tourism relies on healthy marine ecosystems. The development of tourism must be part of the integrated management of coastal areas in order to contribute to the conservation of the most fragile marine ecosystems. It must promote the blue economy and contribute to the sustainable use of marine resource
“Protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of the Earth’s ecosystem, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification,
halting land degradation and halting the loss of biological diversity”
Rich biodiversity and natural heritage are often the main reasons why tourists visit a destination. Tourism can play an important role if sustainably managed in sensitive areas, not only for biodiversity conservation, but also for income generation as an alternative livelihood for local communitie
“Promote peaceful and more inclusive societies for sustainable development; offer access to justice for all and create efficient, accountable and inclusive bodies at all levels”
Since tourism bases its activity on encounters between people of different cultural backgrounds, the sector can promote tolerance and understanding among and between peoples. Fostering multicultural and interreligious relationships helps lay the foundation for more peaceful societies. Tourism that supports and engages local communities helps to consolidate peace in post-war societies.
“Strengthening the means of implementation and renewing the global partnership for sustainable development”
Thanks to its cross-sectoral nature, tourism has the capacity to strengthen public-private partnerships and engage multiple stakeholders – international, national, regional and local – to work together to achieve the SDGs and other common goals. Public policies and innovative financing are at the heart of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.