UN Tourism and UNCTAD Unveil Guiding Principles for Sustainable Investment in Tourism

The collaborative "Guiding Principles for Sustainable Investment in Tourism” aim to assist policymakers and stakeholders in developing a more robust investment framework that directs global tourism investments towards a sustainable and inclusive future.

The 18 Guiding Principles establish an innovative framework for policies designed to stimulate sustainable investment in tourism. They provide a roadmap for achieving various objectives and rest on a holistic policy approach that incorporates governance, economic, sociocultural, and environmental aspects. The four dimensions of the principles are interconnected, with many supporting each other. Sustainable tourism investment considers all four dimensions, fostering inclusive long-term growth that aligns with the SDGs in every respect. The Guiding Principles:

• Support the establishment of appropriate policies, guidelines, institutions, and regulations at the subnational, national, and international levels, in accordance with national priorities and legislation, to promote and support sustainable tourism development.
• Advocate policies that attract responsible investments aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Underline the importance of public-private partnerships, the integration of innovative technologies, and the engagement of local communities in decision-making processes. 

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: "The tourism sector holds the potential to drive sustainable economic growth, but only if we embrace investment practices that align with the needs of the environment and society. By implementing these Guiding Principles, we can foster a global tourism sector that is not only profitable but also sustainable and transformative. This approach will ensure that tourism contributes positively to the health of our planet, enriches the cultural fabric of our societies and drives long-term prosperity for future generations.”

The tourism industry can foster sustainable economic growth, but this requires adopting investment practices that consider environmental and social needs.

Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, says: "Tourism is a vital economic engine that fosters mutual understanding and sustainable development. By embedding sustainability in tourism investments, we can ensure that this sector becomes a catalyst for transformative and inclusive growth, benefiting economies and communities alike. The Guiding Principles offer a strategic roadmap for policymakers, investors and stakeholders to navigate the complexities of sustainable tourism investment."

The joint report was released during the Annual Investment Congress (AIM) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on April 8, 2025. It took place at the UN Tourism's "Ministerial Roundtable on Investment in Tourism: Shaping Tourism Investment Opportunities through Policy Innovation," in partnership with AIM and fully backed by UNCTAD. This event marks the first collaboration between UN Tourism and UNCTAD to create a comprehensive investment framework designed to guide global tourism investments toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

UNCTAD and UN Tourism encourage governments, investors, and industry stakeholders to integrate these principles into their policies and strategies. This approach will help ensure that the tourism sector develops sustainably and inclusively, generating enduring positive effects for future generations.