Tag Archives: WTTC

In a joint effort to promote sustainability in the Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Biosphere have inked a partnership to promote sustainability criteria in the hotel industry under the Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative. In the current landscape of globalisation and information saturation, where sustainability holds paramount importance, the proliferation of new standards and eco-labels poses a significant challenge for the sector. Identifying clear and consistent sustainability criteria has become increasingly difficult. Biosphere and WTTC have joined forces and solidified their commitment to fostering a more sustainable hotel industry to establish fundamental steps for global sustainability practices. This marks a significant milestone for global hotel sustainability, benefiting over 2,500 hotels. As partners of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA), both organisations are optimistic that standardising their sustainability concepts will undoubtedly catalyse widespread adoption by hotels worldwide. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Hotel Basics is a crucial and inclusive industry initiative, ensuring hotels continue to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of both travellers and the planet. The collaboration between Biosphere and WTTC is a fundamental step towards international standardisation in sustainability, creating a clear and homogeneous pathway for the industry.” The recent signed agreement between WTTC and Biosphere will lay the groundwork for a network of international criteria homogenisation. This initiative aims to facilitate the industry’s transition from basic criteria to more advanced global standards, aligning with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 goals of the United Nations. This connection is made possible through the Guide for Sustainable Tourism of UN-SDSN Spain and Biosphere. Dr. Tomás de Azcárate Bang, President of the Responsible Tourism Institute, said: “Sustainability must be viable, …

It was announced on the sidelines of COP 28 that WTTC and Sustainable Hospitality Alliance will launch ‘Hotel Sustainability Basics’ which is a verification (or stamp) for hotels and lodging accommodation to meet 9 out of 12 criteria which includes water, energy and treatment of employees to name a few in order to obtain this certification. This is aimed mainly at small and medium hotels as the bigger names already have their own schemes. Julia Simpson, President and CEO WTTC shared, ‘ I’m proud to say that with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance we have launched ‘Hotel Sustainability Basics stamp’. It is a verification that a hotel or a lodging accommodation that is used by tourists has met a certain standard and the reason we’re doing that is some of the big companies like Hilton’s and Intercontinental, the Marriotts have their very sophisticated sustainability schemes that look at water as well as other energy uses, but 80% of our sector we think are small and medium hotels. They don’t necessarily have access to the know-how or the resources. Some are very advanced but not all of them do so, hence, we wanted to create something created by the industry, for the industry so we reached out to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and created a stamp called the basics and part of that is a hotel will have to meet nine out of 12 criteria in different categories. One of them is water the other is energy use another is how they work with their suppliers and their communities and another really important part is how they treat their employees so it’s a really useful tool but it’s only a stepping stone …

On the side lines of COP28, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched its new ground-breaking report, ‘Water Roadmap for Travel & Tourism’, revealing total water intensity by global Travel & Tourism continues to decrease as the sector continues to grow. Despite being one the fastest growing sectors, accounting for one in 10 jobs globally and contributing 10.4% of global GDP in 2019, Travel & Tourism’s water usage ranged between 3.5% and 5.8% of global available freshwater, in 2021 and 2019 respectively. While this is a lower share than other key sectors, such as agriculture and food, which accounted for 70% of global water usage, there is more work to be done as growing water scarcity has become one of the most pressing challenges for sustainable development. Today, over 2.2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water, while 4.2 billion do not have access to safe sanitation services. Water is a vital natural resource, sustaining life on earth, making it an essential asset that must be protected. The report highlights that further progress can be made if Travel & Tourism stakeholders take a series of actions, and sustainable water practices are implemented globally. In a collaborative effort, WTTC worked with Accenture and Oxford Economics to leverage their expertise in data analysis, best practices, and proven methodologies, providing a framework to help the global travel and tourism sector set water targets, reduce their water footprint and increase water resilience. The data is a result of to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. According to the research, from 2010 to 2019, Asia Pacific, Americas and the Middle East saw their Travel & Tourism …

Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in their commitment to achieve net zero emissions to accelerate and track this change to promote sustainability across the sector, protect nature and support communities. According to the latest research unveiled by WTTC and STGC, travel and tourism sector’s GDP growth averaged 4.3% annually and emissions only grew by 2.5% annually between 2010 -2019. In a defining moment for the global Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) initiated by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia released the latest industry-shaping Environmental Impact Research data. H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, said: “we welcome this joint report initiated by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, and WTTC, as an invaluable resource for decision makers around the world. It provides vital insights and unique impactful environmental research into how Travel & Tourism has both an influence on climate change and how it is affected by it. Our research highlights the consistent decline of emissions intensity of Travel & Tourism over the last decade. Whilst the sector’s GDP growth averaged 4.3% annually, emissions only grew by 2.5% annually between 2010-2019 Still, the continued commitment to achieve net zero emissions for the Travel and Tourism sector has never been more important. We firmly believe Travel & Tourism is part of the solution and that is why Saudi Arabia has taken a leading role to accelerate and track this change to promote sustainability across the sector, protect nature and support communities.” Last year, during the WTTC Global Summit in Riyadh, the two organizations launched the collaboration and unveiled the inaugural results including …

In a significant milestone, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia have announced the extension of their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This historic agreement, follows last year’s successful Global Summit in Riyadh and underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to further enhance its Travel & Tourism sector. Saudi Arabia is committing a staggering $800 billion to unlock the full potential of its breathtaking landscapes and cultural treasures for travellers worldwide. This landmark agreement unites private and public sectors in a concerted effort to craft a sustainable blueprint for growth. The MoU, signed today during the Kingdom’s World Tourism Day event in Riyadh, solidifies the collaboration between WTTC and Saudi Arabia, focusing on advancing key objectives, including the promotion of job creation, talent development, and global business opportunities within Travel & Tourism. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Through the signing of this MoU, WTTC and the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia embark on a new chapter of cooperation, uniting our expertise to shape a prosperous future for the Travel & Tourism sector. “Together, we can continue to create a powerful synergy that will open doors to endless opportunities, benefiting travellers, businesses, and destinations alike.”

Red Sea Global (RSG) is now a destination partner of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). WTTC is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of travel and tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the sector, working closely with governments and international institutions to create job opportunities, drive exports, and generate prosperity. RSG will work with the member organization to highlight the potential of responsible travel and regenerative tourism. “This year we are welcoming our first guests to The Red Sea destination. Our partnership with WTTC helps us to open the eyes of the world to the beauty, diversity, and cultural heritage of the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast,” said Tracy Lanza, Group Head of Global Brand and Marketing at Red Sea Global. “At both The Red Sea and Amaala, we have chosen to go beyond sustainability and seek to make a positive, regenerative impact on the environment and on society. This partnership also allows us to show the industry what we have achieved, to demonstrate that there is a better way to develop and operate, and to encourage others to pursue regenerative tourism for the benefit of people and planet.” This collaboration allows RSG to exchange knowledge and best practices with an impressive network of industry leaders and experts who share its vision for a more sustainable future in tourism. Other WTTC destination partners include DGDA, NEOM, AlUla, as well as ATOUT France, Brand USA, Visit California, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Visit Rwanda and TURESPAÑA, among others. With this partnership, RSG also benefits from WTTC’s annual Economic Impact Research for more than 185 countries and 26 regions around the world. Additionally, RSG will be able to …

In an historic first, the world’s two leading Travel & Tourism organisations representing the global public and private sectors agreed to work together across a number of key objectives. The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations (UNWTO) at the G20 Ministerial meeting (Goa, India), focused on advancing public-private sector cooperation at the global level whilst promoting job creation, talent development and business opportunities around the world. Together, WTTC and UNWTO will promote tourism in the global and national agendas while working to progress skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment and the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient Travel & Tourism sector. The two parties will also foster community empowerment and inclusion, and collaborate around crisis preparedness, management, and recovery, building on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said “Through the signing of an historic new MOU, WTTC and UNWTO embark on a new chapter of collaboration together, uniting our expertise to pave the way for a prosperous future for the Travel & Tourism sector. Together, we can create a powerful synergy that will shape the global landscape, opening doors to endless opportunities and benefiting travelers, businesses, and destinations alike.” Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General, underscored that “We are only stronger if we work together to respond to the interconnected challenges facing our sector. Strong public-private partnerships are the foundation to transform tourism and build resilience, and consolidating our partnership with WTTC will achieve exactly what we need – joining efforts to build a better future through tourism.” The MOU was signed by WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson and …

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2023 Economic Impact Research (EIR) today reveals the UAE travel & tourism sector is projected to meet the 2019 peak this year. The sector is set to contribute AED 180.6 billion to the UAE economy by the end of 2023, almost matching the 2019 high AED 183.4 billion, only 1.5% behind pre-pandemic levels. This represents nearly 10% of the total economy. WTTC is also forecasting that the sector will create nearly 7,000 jobs this year, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 745,100, to reach more than 758,000 employed by travel & tourism. Last year, the travel & tourism sector’s GDP contribution grew more than 60% to reach nearly AED 167 billion, representing 9% of the country’s economy. The sector also created more than 89,000 more jobs from the previous year to reach more than 751,000 jobs nationally, surpassing 2019 levels by an additional 6,000 jobs. 2022 saw the return of international travellers to the UAE, with India (13%), Oman (8%), Saudi Arabia (8%), and UK (7%) leading as source markets for international arrivals. According to the data, in 2022, international visitors contributed AED 117.6 billion to the national economy, representing a year-on-year growth of 65.3%, although 19% behind 2019 levels. In terms of domestic spend, 2022 saw a 35.7% year-on-year jump, reaching AED 46.9 billion, 10.6% above its pre-pandemic counterpart. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The national Travel & Tourism sector is recovering at a rapid pace, proving the UAE continues to grow in popularity amongst international travellers. The UAE is home to one of the world’s busiest and successful airports, Dubai International, which acts as a gateway to the Middle East. “The …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed positive signs of recovery for the Travel & Tourism sector in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as overseas travellers head back, providing a much-needed boost to economies across the country. The report, researched in partnership with Oxford Economics, analysed key indicators such as Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP, employment and traveller spend. The analysis of the impact of the Travel & Tourism sector in both cities shows that, the direct GDP contribution, jobs, and visitor spending are all bouncing back. The WTTC Cities Economic Impact Report shows that in 2019, the Travel & Tourism sector contributed almost AED 51BN to Dubai’s and AED 12.5BN to Abu Dhabi’s economy. But although the pandemic had a damaging effect for many countries around the world, the UAE demonstrated remarkable resilience.  In 2020, Travel & Tourism’s GDP contribution in both cities dropped by more than half. In Dubai it fell to AED 19.5BN and in Abu Dhabi it fell to just AED 6BN.  But the global tourism body’s research shows a strong recovery for both cities.  Dubai’s Travel & Tourism sector is forecast to have reached AED 46BN, only 10% below 2019 levels and Abu Dhabi’s Travel & Tourism sector is expected to have grown to AED 11BN last year, just 12% below 2019 levels. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “City destinations in the UAE continue to grow in popularity for travellers from around the world. “Although these key cities were heavily affected by the pandemic, they have shown incredible resilience and signs of growth. The UAE’s Travel & Tourism sector is on the road to recovery, demonstrative of the wide appeal tourist destinations …

During COP15 in Montreal, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance) announced a new collaboration which will bring together the public and private sectors in a shared vision to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The vision sees the global Travel & Tourism sector supporting and inspiring governments, businesses, and society to implement the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and help to transform our relationship with the natural world. Signatories to the vision have committed to adopt a nature positive approach to tourism through integrating biodiversity safeguards by reducing carbon emissions, the impact of pollution, the unsustainable use of resources, and by protecting and restoring nature and its wildlife. This collaboration follows the release of WTTC’s ‘Nature Positive Travel & Tourism’ report, which was created jointly with ANIMONDIAL, and focuses on halting and reversing damage to nature so the living world can recover from its current depleted state. This involves minimising ongoing harm and taking positive action to restore nature to produce an overall benefit to biodiversity and help achieve Net Zero. Almost 150 organisations have signed up to the vision so far including international hotel groups, tour operators, travel agents, destinations, and international wildlife charities. Complementing the power of the private sector, UNWTO, as the voice of tourism at the global governance level, will work to bring governments and international organisations on board and announce the shared vision of tourism as a pillar of wildlife conservation and habitat protection. Progress will also be guided by UNWTO’s trusted data and analysis, including groundbreaking Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) initiative and its growing International Network of Sustainable …