Major new study to assess tourism's growing commitment to sustainable development

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in collaboration with the UNWTO Affiliate Members Working Group on SDGs Support has launched a major new survey to assess how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been incorporated into tourism practices, plans and strategies in destinations across the world. FEE took part in the development of this survey.

As the United Nations specialized agency responsible for promoting tourism as a tool for sustainable development, UNWTO is supporting the tourism sector to become an effective contributor to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 SDGs are geared towards reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development worldwide. With the sustainability agenda an increasingly important part of tourism practice, this new study from UNWTO will analyze how the SDGs are influencing practices and policies among its global network of Affiliate Members, drawn from the private sector, civil society, NGOs and academia, to provide their unique insights into the advances being made right across the sector.

Launching the survey, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “2020 will mark the beginning of the decade of action towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and we have 10 years left to make the future we want. Tourism plays a vital role in the achievement of the SDGs and we believe the outcomes of this survey will contribute to further empower tourism stakeholders to incorporate sustainability measures and policies in their daily work and objectives,” he added.

The survey aims to:

• Determine the current levels of awareness and engagement of the tourism sector regarding the 2030 Agenda and achieving its 17 SDGs.

• Identify current business policies and strategies addressing the SDGs.

• Identify best practices and activities addressing the SDGs.

The private sector, academia, civil societies and associations play a significant role in the achievement of the SDGs and they are invited to be part of the momentum for the achievement of the SDGs and share their work through this survey.

The survey is available in three languages: English, French and Spanish.

Green Key International featured in the UNWTO Affiliate Members newsletter

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has recently released its November Affiliate Members newsletter, featuring Green Key International at the side of others tourism-related organisations.

The UNWTO, the United Nations agency charged with the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, is the leading international organisation in the field of tourism. Its November newsletter highlights Green Key as one of the few international labels in the hospitality industry managed by one of the UNWTO affiliate members, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The Green Key programme guides tourism establishments in doing their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN member states in 2015. Worldwide, our network engages in acts of awareness-raising about environmental management and sustainability education related to the SDGs. Moreover, Green Key is involved in UNWTO’s Affiliate Member working group on SDGs support on behalf of FEE.

This September, Green Key also signed the International Tourism Plastic Pledge at the sides of over 100 companies and organisations from the tourism sector to reduce plastic pollution at holiday destinations worldwide. The International Tourism Plastics Pledge is a reflection of the readiness and commitment of tourism stakeholders to take action in the fight against plastic pollution. The joint ambition of its signatories to come to a concrete roadmap with tangible goals and a monitoring system will be taking place within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, led by UNWTO and UN Environment and in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

You can have access to the UNWTO Affiliate Member newsletter here.

A document describing Green Key’s overall contribution to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals can be downloaded here.