Is disaster on the horizon for travel and tourism?

Climate Change and the Urgency for Action in the Travel and Tourism Industry

By Gloria Guevara, Chief Special Advisor to the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Head of Sustainable Tourism Global Center

Published on 07/08/2023 – 17:48 • Updated 18:54

The travel and tourism industry, which accounts for close to 8% of global GDP, is facing an existential threat from climate change. As extreme weather events become more frequent, urgent action is needed to mitigate climate change and strengthen resilience.

The Impact of Climate Change on the Travel and Tourism Industry

The summer of 2023 has broken records for being the hottest in history, with heatwaves and wildfires becoming increasingly common across the Mediterranean, the US, and China. Studies show that climate change has made extreme weather events 50% more likely. As a result, the travel and tourism industry is experiencing cancellations and disruptions, with holiday refund requests already up nearly 18%. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the vulnerability of the industry, resulting in a €4 trillion hit to global travel and tourism GDP and 62 million job losses.

While international arrivals are slowly recovering, the industry is still below pre-pandemic levels in some parts of the world. Climate change not only threatens to undo these gains but also poses a significant risk to the industry itself, as it is responsible for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The Need for Urgent Action

In countries like Greece and Italy, where tourism accounts for a significant portion of GDP, the impact of extreme weather events is already evident. Tourism in the Mediterranean has dropped by 10% this summer compared to last year. With millions of people depending on the industry for their livelihoods, it is crucial for governments and businesses to take urgent action to mitigate climate change and enhance resilience.

There are two key areas that require attention: achieving net-zero emissions and building resilience to climate shocks. These efforts should aim to minimize losses and support local communities.

Examples of Climate-Resilient Tourism

Some countries have already recognized the importance of building a climate-resilient tourism industry. Costa Rica, for instance, generates 99.78% of its energy from renewable resources and has plans for sustainable waste management and the electrification of transport. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy also emphasizes sustainable tourism, with projects like the Red Sea Project aiming for a 30% net positive conservation impact by 2040.

Redefining Travel for a Sustainable Future

While there are positive examples, the industry as a whole needs to take coordinated, high-impact action to achieve net-zero emissions, protect biodiversity, and support communities dependent on travel and tourism. Governments play a crucial role in creating an enabling environment through incentives, partnerships, and policy mechanisms. Collaboration between the private and public sectors is essential to reduce emissions and introduce necessary regulations.

Additionally, efforts should be made to protect vulnerable communities and destinations. Prioritizing resilience in climate-vulnerable tourism destinations can involve initiatives to positively impact and restore nature. For example, Thailand’s Maya Bay has seen significant damage to its coral reefs due to litter, boat pollution, and sunscreen.

Rather than halting travel altogether, the focus should be on doing things differently. This requires unprecedented collaboration and innovation to ensure the industry’s long-term resilience and the well-being of the planet.

Gloria Guevara is the Chief Special Advisor to the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and Head of the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC). She is the former President of the World Travel and Tourism Council and the former Minister of Tourism of Mexico.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
   • Target 13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible
   • Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth, and local and marginalized communities

   The article highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate climate change and bolster resilience in the travel and tourism industry. It emphasizes the impact of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and wildfires, which are becoming more common due to climate change. The targets under SDG 13 that can be identified based on the article’s content include strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards (Target 13.1), integrating climate change measures into national policies (Target 13.2), improving education and awareness on climate change (Target 13.3), and mobilizing financial resources for developing countries (Target 13.a). The article also emphasizes the importance of capacity-building and inclusive planning for climate change management (Target 13.b).

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
   • Target 8.10: Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance, and financial services for all

   The article highlights the vulnerability of the travel and tourism industry, which accounts for a significant portion of global GDP and greenhouse gas emissions. The targets under SDG 8 that can be identified based on the article’s content include promoting sustainable tourism that creates jobs and supports local culture (Target 8.9) and strengthening the capacity of financial institutions to provide access to banking and financial services (Target 8.10).

3. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration to achieve healthy and productive oceans

   The article mentions the Red Sea Project in Saudi Arabia, which aims to achieve a net positive conservation impact by improving biodiversity in marine and coastal ecosystems. This aligns with Target 14.2 of SDG 14, which focuses on sustainably managing and protecting marine ecosystems.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: euronews.com

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