What is the story about?
What's Happening?
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released its Environmental & Social Research (ESR) 2025 report, highlighting a significant reduction in emissions intensity within the global travel and tourism sector. Since 2019, emissions per unit of economic output have decreased by 15%, while the sector's GDP footprint has grown by 6% beyond its pre-pandemic peak, reaching $10.9 trillion in 2024. The report attributes this decline in emissions intensity to increased efficiency, including a 16.6% rise in the adoption of low-carbon energy and a 5.7% reduction in fossil fuel usage. Despite the sector's environmental impact decreasing, its economic contributions have increased, generating $3.5 trillion in tax revenues in 2024, a 6.1% rise from 2019.
Why It's Important?
The findings underscore the travel and tourism sector's ability to expand economically while reducing its environmental footprint, presenting a model for sustainable growth. This development is crucial as the sector supports one in ten jobs globally and plays a significant role in social inclusion, particularly for women and youth. The report highlights the sector's potential to drive positive social change, with increased employment opportunities for women and youth surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The WTTC urges policymakers to recognize the sector's substantial economic contributions before imposing new taxes, advocating for strategic reinvestment into local communities and infrastructure to enhance environmental and social impacts.
What's Next?
The WTTC emphasizes the need for continued action to further reduce emissions, particularly in transport and electricity consumption, which account for significant portions of the sector's emissions. The report calls for public-private partnerships to advance sustainable fuels, renewable energy, and low-carbon infrastructure. Policymakers are encouraged to strategically invest tourism-generated revenues into initiatives that support environmental sustainability and social progress. The sector's trajectory suggests it will continue to be a force for positive change, provided that effective partnerships and policies are implemented.
Beyond the Headlines
The report highlights the ethical and social dimensions of the travel and tourism sector's growth, emphasizing its role in advancing social inclusion and environmental sustainability. The sector's ability to generate economic prosperity while reducing its carbon footprint presents a blueprint for other industries seeking sustainable growth. The collaboration between WTTC and Omran Group exemplifies the potential for partnerships to drive global sustainability efforts, reinforcing the importance of data-driven strategies in balancing economic growth with environmental leadership.
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