By Elijah Adejimi
September 27th marks World Tourism Day, a celebration of the tourism industry’s profound impact on the global economy and its potential to drive actions towards the achievement of sustainable development.
As the world grapples with the adverse impact of environmental degradation and climate change, the tourism sector must adapt practices and prioritize sustainability.
Tourism’s economic impact cannot be overstated. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the industry accounts for approximately 10% of global GDP and supports over 330 million jobs worldwide (UNWTO, 2022).
Moreover, international tourist arrivals reached 1.5 billion in 2019, generating $1.5 trillion in export earnings (UNWTO, 2020).
However, the industry’s growth poses significant environmental challenges, including carbon emissions, resource depletion which is impacting on the nature’s ability to sustain itself, and habitat destruction. Climate change, in particular, continues to threaten the very foundation of human’s existence and livelihood, with rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and extreme weather events impacting destinations worldwide. All these have great impact on tourism.
In the face of these staggering challenges, sustainable tourism practices are highly imperative. This entails but not limited to responsible travel behaviors, reducing wastes, respecting local ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, investing in eco-friendly infrastructures and renewable energy and encouraging environmentally-conscious transportation options.
While all these are ensured, efforts must be channeled at promoting cultural heritage preservation and community-based tourism for driving sustainable development.
Sustainable tourism is beneficial to both destinations and tourists, a it is a win-win for achieving prosperity of both people and planet. It preserves natural beauty and biodiversity, it supports local economies and livelihoods, it enhances tourists’ experiences through authentic cultural interactions, and mititgate the impact of climate change.
As we commemorate World Tourism Day, governments, industries, and travelers must unite to prioritize sustainability. By adopting responsible tourism practices, we can protect vulnerable ecosystems, support climate resilience, and ensure the long-term viability of the global tourism industry.
The transition towards sustainable tourism requires collective action, it is a pursuit that is worth embracing and there is no stone that should be left unturned at achieving it.
As we celebrate World Tourism Day, let us pledge our commitment to travel responsibly, support eco-friendly initiatives, and promote a resilient and sustainable tourism industry for future generations.
#WorldTourismDay #SustainableTourism #Sustainablility #ResponsibleTravel #ClimateAction
Elijah Adejimi,
For Nature And Future Eco-green Initiative
www.ecogreen.org.ng @ecogreenorgng
