2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
The 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behavior towards a more sustainable tourism sector; one that can contribute to the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNWTO’s Discussion Paper on “Sustainable Tourism for Development” is open for public consultation until June 30, 2017 — “Enriched by your input, the discussion paper will be transformed into a final publication on ‘Sustainable Tourism for Development’ for the International Year, to be published later in 2017.”
The 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism (#IY2017) will promote tourism’s role in:
- Inclusive and sustainable economic growth
- 4% or more annual increase in international tourist arrivals since 2009
- 7% of total world exports and 30% of world services exports
- US$ 1.5 trillion in exports from international tourism in 2015
- 10% of world GDP
- Social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction
- One in every eleven jobs globally
- Largest export category in many developing countries
- 57% of international tourist arrivals in 2030 will be in emerging economies
- Almost twice as many women employers as other sectors
- Resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change
- Committed to reducing its 5% of world CO2 emissions
- Raises financing for conservation of heritage, wildlife and the environment
- Can be a vehicle for protecting and restoring biodiversity
- Must sustainably manage an expected 1.8 billion international tourists in 2030
- Cultural values, diversity and heritage
- Revives traditional activities and customs
- Empowers communities and nurtures pride within them
- Promotes cultural diversity
- Raises awareness of the value of heritage
- Mutual understanding, peace and security
- Breaks down barriers and builds bridges between visitors and hosts
- Provides opportunities for cross-cultural encounters that can build peace
- A resilient sector that recovers quickly from security threats
- A tool for soft diplomacy