The document discusses how tourism can contribute to a circular economy and sustainable development goals. It provides definitions of sustainable tourism and outlines UNWTO's programmatic priorities, which include innovation, investments, education, safe and seamless travel, and environmental sustainability. Voluntary national reviews show many countries recognize tourism's opportunities to achieve sustainable development goals like decent work, responsible consumption, and partnerships. Private sector corporate social responsibility and development financing also support sustainable tourism.

1. Circular Economy
in Tourism, contributing
to sustainable and
resilient societies in the
2030 Agenda?
Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic
Representative to the UN at
Geneva
World Tourism Organization
zurosevic@unwto.org

2. • 156 Member States
• 6 Territories
• 2 Permanent Observers
• +500 Affiliate Members
World Tourism Organization, a specialized United Nations A

3. The promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally
accessible tourism.
“The fundamental aim of the Organization shall be the
promotion and development of tourism with a view to
contributing to economic development, international
understanding, peace and prosperity”
UNWTO Statutes
UNWTO Mandate

4. Sustainable tourism…
“Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and
environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the private sector,
the environment and host communities”.
Tourism is a multi-facetted social, cultural and economic phenomenon.
Tourism deals with the movement of people to countries or places outside
their usual environment for personal or business/professional purposes.
Since 2008 it is possible to measure tourism in a standard way, since 2011
UNWTO compiles internationally comparable data on some of its key facets
Sustainable tourism
“Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social
and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the private
sector, the environment and host communities”.
Tourism - as services trade - is a multi-facetted social, cultural and
economic phenomenon.
Tourism deals with the movement of people to countries or places
outside their usual environment for personal or business/professional
purposes.
Since 2008 it is possible to measure tourism in a standard way, since
2011 UNWTO compiles internationally comparable data on some of its
key facets. (TSA)
Some definitions…
Source: Sustainable Tourism for Development. DEVCO. (2013)

5. UNWTO PROGRAMATIC PRIORITIES 2018-21
PROGRAMATI
C PRIORITIES
1. Make tourism smarter: innovation and the digital
transformation
2. Grow our competitive edge: investments and
entrepreneurship
3. Create decent jobs for all: Education and Employment
4. Build resilience and facilitate travel: safe, secure and
seamless travel
5.Protect our heritage: social, cultural and environmental
sustainability

6. Tourism is economic growth and development

7. Two thirds of the activities of the United Nations system take
place in Geneva, making it a key centre of international co-operation
and multilateral negotiation. This is one of the reasons that the city is
often referred to as "International Geneva".
Around 9,500 staff work for the UN family in Geneva, which is the
largest concentration of UN personnel in the world.
Tourism, third export earnings category in 2017
Source: World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 2017

8. International tourism, World International Tourist Arrivals, million
source: World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) ©
0
250
500
750
1,000
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030
International tourist arrivals to reach
1.8 billion by 2030
1.8 bn
1.4 bn
1.322 bn in 2017

9. 525
559
586 602 625
674 675 696 692
764
809
855
911 928
892
952
994
1041
1088
1136
1195
1239
1323 mn
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 20162017*
(million)
393 million arrivals
more than in pre-crisis
year 2008
Inbound Tourism in the World 2017
1323 million international tourist arrivals
84 million more than in 2016

10. International Tourist Arrivals, monthly evolution
World (% change)
Source: World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) ©
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017*
8th consecutive year of sustained growth
Inbound Tourism in the World in 2017

12. Sustainable Tourism in the Global agenda
The Earth Summit (Rio)
• UN Conference on
Environment and
Development
• Rio Declaration included
27 principles
• Agenda 21- achieving
sustainability in the 21st
century
Rio + 20
• ‘The future we want’ –
emphasis on the role of
sustainable tourism as driver for
change as well as the
importance of measuring
impacts for better well-informed
decision making
• 10 Year Framework of
Programmes on Sustainable
Consumption and Production
• World Commission on Environment
and Development
• Independent body to formulate long-
term agenda for action
• 1987 Outcome: Common Future
The World Summit on
Sustainable Development
• 10 Year Review of UNCED (Strategies
and Implementation)
• Adoption of JPOI and Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable
Development
• Chapters on poverty eradication, SCP
and SIDS
UN International Year of
Sustainable Tourism for
Development
• Tourism and the SDGs –
Journey to 2030 Report
Stockholm Conference
• First global environmental
Meeting by UN
• The declaration included 26
basic principles and policy
goals
• Establishment of UNEP
1972
1983
1992 2012
2015
Brundtland Commission
SDGs
2002
2017
• Circular Economy
solutions for SDG 12:
tourism and
construction
• Tourism and SDGs
Platform
2018
HLPF 2018
…2030

13. Tourism in the Global Development Agenda
(2012) “130. We emphasize that well-designed and managed tourism can make a significant
contribution to the three dimensions of sustainable development, has close linkages to other
sectors, and can create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities (…)
131. We encourage the promotion of investment in sustainable tourism….which may include
creating small and medium sized enterprises and facilitating access to finance,
including through microcredit initiatives for the poor, indigenous peoples and local
communities (…)”
(2015) The UNGA approves the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and its 17 SDGs

14. Target 8.9 – by 2030,
devise and implement
policies to promote
sustainable tourism that
creates jobs and
promotes local culture
and products.
Target 12.b – develop
and implement tools to
monitor sustainable
development impacts for
sustainable tourism that
creates jobs, promotes
local culture and
products.
Target 14.7 – by 2030
increase the economic
benefits to SIDS and LDCs
from the sustainable use of
marine resources,
including through
sustainable management
of fisheries, aquaculture
and tourism.
Tourism in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

15. Promoting sustainable tourism development

16. 10YFP Sustainable Tourism Programme

17. ONE PLANET – Travel with Care
Committed to accelerate the shift towards Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns

18. Tourism that takes full
account of current and
future:
• economic, social and
environmental impacts
• addressing the needs of
visitors
• the industries
• the environment and
communities
DEFINITION: Sustainable Tourism
Source: Sustainable Tourism for Development. DEVCO (2013)

19. Tourism industries Goods and services
supplies
Supplies, utilities
(PPP)
Tourism industries
Support Institutions: Ministry of Tourism, Trade, Commerce, Transport, Culture, Interior, Environment etc…
Trade Promotion Organization, Chamber of Commerce; Banks, Licensing, Standards, etc
Goods and services suppliers: textile, wood, food, environmental services,
ICT…
Customs Office
Port Authority
Ministry of Transport
Immigration Agency
Goods and Services
related to promotion
Promotional
activities, ICT,
banking, insurance
Communication,
press & media
Consumables
Food factories,
producers-rural
areas
Maintenance, Env.
Services
Manufactures,
cottage industries
suppliers
Storage & Distribution
Marketing & Sales
ICT
Food and drinks
suppliers
Handicrafts
suppliers, Books,
CD’s and DVD
Site signals
Restoration
Management
Maintenance
Brochures
production
Oil Station
Industrial factories
Technology
shops/imports
Wholesalers and
single suppliers
Trade Companies
Travel
organisation and
booking
Accommodation
Transportation
Food &
Beverage
Creative
Industries
Tourism assets
in destination
Leisure,
excursions
and tours
Support
services
In origin and in transit on
the way to and from the
final destination(s)
Internet
Travel
Agent
Call
centres
Airline
Companie
s
Tour Operators & Wholesaler
Cars, boats, bikes
rental
Bus CO, trains,
tramways
Taxi Companies
Seas and River Ferry
Informal
transportation
Hotels
Apartments
Guesthouse
Youth hostels
Bars &Restaurants
Night clubs
Fast food
Itinerant food shops
Kiosks
Food souvenirs
Handicrafts and Arts
shops
Creative industries,
music, dance
Artists, performers
etc
Cultural assets:
archaeology
communities,
ethnics, museums,
tourism attractions,
intangible cultural
assets (music,
dance, legends,
etc.), festivals, etc
Natural assets:
lakes, rivers, reefs
and mountains,
forests, species of
flora & fauna, etc.
Shows
Tourist guides
organizations
Independent tourist
guides
Tourism Packages
Transports guides
and escorts
Wellness and SPAS
Information centres
Grocery shops/retail
outlet
Laundry
Security and bank
services
Internet cafes
Furniture and equipment suppliers, including environmental and res. Efficiency
and ICT equipment
Goods and services
for guides
Equipment and
services for wellness
Cars, bikes, buses,
boats
Construction & Real Estate
Infrastructure Support
Infrastructure Support
Construction
Material
Energy Water Waste Education Communications
Public security and
health
Direct
economic
impacts
Supplies
–
Indirect
economic
impacts
Involves Ministries
and National
institutions for
management of all
assets
In the destination
From origin to destination
Policies, Planning
Value Chain Phases
The Tourism Value Chain

20. Advancing Circular Economy thinking in Tourism

21. Business Models Driving CE
Source: Accenture, 2014

23. Hotel Energy Solutions and Nearly Zero Energy Hotels
NEZEH research (2013-16)
1,8 million EUR from EU - EASME
UNWTO is a partner – 28 EU
NEZEH KEY OBJECTIVES:
 anticipate policies for tourism
related to nZEB directives
 provide TA tailored for pilot hotels
to become Nearly Zero Energy
 create a software - an online tool
for neZEH based on HES.

24. Solutions from International Year 2017
Ras Al Khaimah Waste Management Agency
SUBSTITUTE IMPORTED MATERIAL BY RECYCLED
WASTE
• In partnership with RAK Tourism Development Authority
(RAK TDA) to get all hotels of the Emirate (30 hotels) to
source-separate their generated waste into 4 streams: food
waste, mixed recyclables, glass and hazardous waste.
• Diverted the material from the landfill and avoiding
environment contamination, but also has supplied more
material to the local industry in order to avoid usage and
import of virgin material.

25. Solutions from International Year 2017
Zero Waste Hotel
The HOTEL RIFIUTI ZERO®
• Dramatically reduces the environmental impact of tourist facilities by offering
its consultancy, currently in Italy and Slovenia.
• Make the hospitality industry the emblem of sustainability, respect and
conservation.
• The initiative pursues the goal of a more sustainable and more profitable
business model, with the idea of a circular economy that:
• Excludes the existence of waste,
• Strengthens the local people skills necessary to manage infrastructure and
• Spreads awareness of good health and hygiene practices,
• Uses good practices of “4R” (reduce-recycle-redesign-reuse),
• Informs customer to correctly understand the values and the good practices
to apply.

27. Tourism to realize the 2030 Agenda?
• 64 Voluntary National Reviews
(VNRs)
• 8 Mainstreaming, Acceleration and
Policy Support (MAPS) country
roadmaps
Public
policy
• Analysis of Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) of 60 global
tourism companies
• Accommodation, Transport, Tour
operators and intermediaries
Private
sector
• Development Cooperation (ODA,
Aid for Trade)
• Partnerships
• Innovative Financing Mechanisms
Financing
tourism
Build
knowledge
Empower
stakeholders
Inspire to
act

28. 14
21
12
17
Asia Pacific
Europe
Africa
Latin America and
the Caribbean
Regions VNRs
Africa 12
Asia Pacific 17
Europe 21
Latin America and
Caribbean 14
Total 64
Public policy: Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)
41out of 64
VNRs
mention
tourism
Only 13
VNRs mention
tourism
ministry

29. VNRs Opportunities, challenges and threats
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
No Poverty – SDG 1
Zero Hunger – SDG 2
Good Health and Well-being – SDG 3
Quality Education – SDG 4
Gender Equality – SDG 5
Clean Water and Sanitation – SDG 6
Affordable and Clean Energy – SDG 7
Decent Work and Economic Growth – SDG 8
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – SDG 9
Reduced Inequalities – SDG 10
Sustainable Cities and Communities – SDG 11
Responsible Consumption and Production – SDG 12
Climate Action – SDG 13
Life below Water – SDG 14
Life on Land – SDG 15
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – SDG 16
Partnerships for the Goals – SDG 17
Number of countries
Opportunities Challenges Threats
Tourism opportunities, challenges and threats in relation to the SDGs

30. Tourism and the SDGs in the VNRs
41 VNRs
Life below Water
41 countries recognize the value of tourism to achieve all 17 SDGs
Decent Work and
Economic Growth
Responsible Consumption
and Production
Partnerships for the
Goals
Sustainable Cities
and Communities

31. Tourism companies: Global Goals – Local Focus
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
No Poverty - SDG 1
Zero Hunger - SDG 2
Good Health and Well-being - SDG 3
Quality Education - SDG 4
Gender Equality - SDG 5
Clean Water and Sanitation - SDG 6
Affordable and Clean Energy - SDG 7
Decent Work and Economic Growth - SDG 8
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - SDG 9
Reduced Inequalities - SDG 10
Sustainable Cities and Communities - SDG 11
Responsible Consumption and Production - SDG 12
Climate Action - SDG 13
Life below Water - SDG 14
Life on Land - SDG 15
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions - SDG 16
Partnerships for the Goals - SDG 17
Number of CSR activities
CSR activities per SDG, in total and by tourism industry
Total Tour operators Transportation Accommodation

32. Private sector: Corporate Social Responsibility
41%
33%
13%
9%
4%
CSR activities by area of engagement
Business operations Host community support
Stakeholder involvement Supplier relations
Customer service
Competitiveness remains the main driver
of sustainability in tourism companies
39%
15%
29%
17%
Environmental Economic Social Multifaceted
CSR activities by type of impact
CSR activities are mostly related to an
environmental or social impact

33. Private sector CSR in relation to the SDGs
60 global tourism companies
Tourism industries play a vital role in achieving all 17 SDGs
Responsible Consumption
and Production
Decent Work and
Economic Growth
Climate Action
No Poverty
Quality Education

34. Financing sustainable tourism
0 5 10 15
No Poverty - SDG 1
Zero Hunger - SDG 2
Good Health and Well-being - SDG 3
Quality Education - SDG 4
Gender Equality - SDG 5
Clean Water and Sanitation - SDG 6
Decent Work and Economic Growth - SDG 8
Reduced Inequalities - SDG 10
Responsible Consumption and Production - SDG 12
Climate Action - SDG 13
Life below Water - SDG 14
Life on Land - SDG 15
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions - SDG 16
Number of countries
SDG priorities of 19 ODA donor countries
• Development cooperation in tourism
remains low but the growing
recognition of tourism’s contribution to
the SDGs offers new opportunities
for increased ODA disbursements to
the sector.
• 19 of 64 VNRs were from ODA donor
countries and indicated thematic
priorities in development cooperation:
Tourism decision-makers should
align tourism initiatives with donor
countries’ priorities
SDGs 16, 5, 8, 13, 1

35. Tourism and SDGs, key findings
• Become more active in national SDG processes
• Build more coherent dialogue among all stakeholders as
tourism is a cross-cutting sector
• Encourage and support the tourism private sector
Public
policy
• Competitiveness is the key driver of sustainability
• Create awareness of the economic benefits of
sustainability, and measure impacts
• SMEs can and should engage to realize the SDGs
Private
sector
• Increase aid to maximize tourism’s contribution to the
SDGs
• Aid should relate to countries’ strategy and sector needs
• Financing of tourism should go beyond development
cooperation, including innovative financing
Financing
tourism

36. The way forward…
• Be involved in national SDG strategies/Voluntary National Reviews
• Shape more inclusive and integrated tourism policies
• Assess and monitor tourism’s contribution and to the SDGs (including12)
• Build capacity and create incentives for private sector Research &
Development, including for SMEs
Public
policy
• Share experiences, good practices and engage in the ONE Planet
Travel with Care / STP 10YFP
• Increase value chains uptake through local purchasing of goods and
services, including circular economy
• Continue investing in people, the planet, ICT and other technologies
• Measure and monitor the impact
Private
sector
• Invest in tourism as a priority sector for achieving the SDGs
• Align development cooperation with the countries priorities, including
tourism
• Embrace innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships
• Design and implement incentives, smart subsidies for tourism
enterprises
Financing
tourism

37. Preserving the Planet need to make fundamental changes
• Accelerating the shift to SCP as set in SDG 12 is everyone’s responsibility - 72% of the
Voluntary National Reviews submitted in 2016 and 2017 identify SCP as a priority - and also
an opportunity to advance other connected SDGs, given its cross-cutting nature.
• In line with SDG Target 12.1. large economic sectors such as tourism and construction are
leading implementation of the 10-Year Framework of SCP (10YFP, or One Planet network as
rebranded in February 2018).
• In view of its impact and outreach, tourism can make an essential contribution to the
decoupling challenge by avoiding compromising the environment while ensuring
sustainable growth and opportunities for societies.
• The tourism sector is expected to continue growing 3.3% annually until 2030, not without an
increase of environmental impacts related to the sector, which is currently estimated
to be responsible for 5% of CO2 emissions.
• Tourism extensive and transversal value chain has the potential to act as an agent of
change triggering positive impact in and beyond the sector, contributing to realize all 17
SDGs.

38. Leading to tourism low carbon growth: CE is a solution
• The built environment, whether in the form of infrastructure, accommodation or other
facilities, constitutes a fundamental part of tourism destinations.
• The construction sector- is the number one consumer of raw materials globally- is
responsible for 40% of global energy use, 30% of energy-related GHG emissions,
approximately 12% of water use and nearly 40% of waste. The sector faces particular
challenges regarding resource efficiency considering additional urban goowth.
• For the construction sector – including tourism, material based supply chain provides
remarkable opportunities to integrate sustainable approaches.
• Circularity is key approach to address the decoupling challenge, by exploring
opportunities to move from linear to circular SCP patterns, promoting closed material loops
and enhanced resource efficiency with a system-wide approach along the entire value chain.
• Embracing circularity implies robust measurement and monitoring of impacts of economic
activities and a constant rethinking and optimizing of performance though the use of
innovation and technology.
• The transition to a circular economy presents a tremendous opportunity to transform
the economy and make it more sustainable, contributing to climate goals and the
preservation of the world’s resources as well as to creating local jobs and generating
competitive advantages for the countries in a world that is undergoing profound changes

39. The platform aims to:
• inspire public policy makers to shape better policies for tourism, and companies to engage
• strengthen the engagement of the private sector in the SDGs implementation along with the
principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and their CSR strategies,
• increase financing framework and
• enhance partnerships among different stakeholders, including travellers.
Tourism and SDGs Platform: engage?
LEARN SHARE ACT

40. A Journey for all, join us!
• All actors will be involved: governments,
private sector, academia, UN system,
IOs, IFIs, …
• UNWTO coordinates, as the leading
tourism agency
• July 2018 – launch at the High-level
Political Forum (HLPF) of the UN -
ECOSOC, New York.
2018 – 2030 It’s up to us all!

41. Thank you!
UNWTO Liaison Office
54-56 rue de Montbrillant
1202 Geneva, Switzerland
UNWTO Headquarters
Calle Capitan Haya 42
28020 Madrid, Spain
www.unwto.org
geneva-representative@unwto.org