UN Tourism Urges G20 Ministers to Boost Collaboration for Inclusive Tourism

UN Tourism Urges G20 to Advance Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism

The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) has urged G20 Tourism Ministers to strengthen cooperation and position tourism as a driver of inclusion and sustainable development.

At the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting under South Africa’s Presidency, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” emphasizing that coordinated policies and joint action are essential in an interconnected world.

The meeting focused on four priorities under South Africa’s Presidency:

• Supporting MSMEs and startups through digital innovation

• Facilitating tourism financing and investment

• Improving air connectivity

• Strengthening resilience for sustainable tourism growth

Pololikashvili emphasized the importance of digital transformation, investment, and resilient tourism ecosystems, highlighting that resilience is closely tied to sustainability.

Tourism’s Role for Developing Countries

For many developing countries, including the Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, tourism is a crucial source of employment, foreign exchange, and tax revenue. However, the sector remains underrecognized as a tool for development, with Official Development Assistance (ODA) for tourism at a rate below 0.11% of total ODA.

Closing his remarks, Pololikashvili highlighted South Africa’s G20 Presidency as an opportunity for the continent to contribute to the global agenda. Africa accounts for 19% of the world’s population, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under 30.

UN Tourism as Knowledge Partner

The G20 economies account for roughly 70% of international tourist arrivals and exports and 83% of global tourism GDP. The sector contributed 3.1% of G20 GDP (2023), 5% of all exports, and 23% of service exports (2024).