Travel, Tourism Sector Implement Sustainable Conservation Practices
The Saudi travel and tourism sector has contributed significantly to the adoption of sustainable practices. Implementing environmentally friendly measures can significantly reduce the sector’s negative environmental impact.
A recent environmental impact report for the travel and tourism sector was presented as a result of a collaborative effort between two organizations during the World Travel and Tourism Summit hosted by Riyadh last year.
The report revealed positive outcomes for the sector in water conservation, resource management, emission reduction, and energy consumption.
Announcement by International Research Center
The International Research Center announced the preliminary results of the report, including greenhouse gas emissions globally for the first time.
It aims to accelerate the transition of the travel and tourism sector towards climate neutrality, minimizing food and other resource wastage including water, protecting nature, and supporting local communities.
Statement by Tourism Minister
Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb welcomed the report, appreciating the collaborative effort with the World Travel and Tourism Council to empower and support the sector in adopting environmental solutions and promoting prosperity.
The minister praised the International Research Center for its comprehensive research to overcome challenges in the sector, enabling stakeholders to transition towards sustainable practices.
Highlight on Emission Reduction
The report highlighted a continuous decrease in emission intensity from the travel and tourism sector over the past decade in more than 185 countries.
Despite an average annual growth of 4.3% in the sector’s GDP, emissions only grew by 2.5% annually between 2010 and 2019, reflecting collaborative efforts to achieve net-zero emissions in the sector.
Saudi Arabia’s Ongoing Efforts
The minister emphasized Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to provide various solutions for the sector, acknowledging the importance of the travel and tourism sector as part of the solution for achieving net-zero neutrality.
Saudi Arabia has played a pioneering role in accelerating and tracking this change to enhance sustainability across sectors, protect nature, and support local communities.
Statements by Global Travel, Tourism Council Executives
Julia Simpson, the CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, and Gloria Guevara, advisor to the tourism minister, expressed the pivotal moment witnessed by the global travel and tourism sector, focusing on its multidimensional impacts economically, environmentally, and socially towards a sustainable future.
The joint report between Saudi Tourism Ministry and the Council is seen as a cornerstone in the global travel and tourism sector.
Praise by World Travel, Tourism Council President
Arnold Donald, the President of the World Travel and Tourism Council, praised the preliminary research results, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote growth and sustainability in the sector.
The report’s findings unveil the importance of collaboration to explore various solutions for accelerating the transition of the travel and tourism sector towards climate neutrality.
Announcement by Global Center for Sustainable Tourism
On October 10th, the Global Center for Sustainable Tourism, with support from the Saudi Tourism Ministry, announced the launch of a new international research center aimed at accelerating the transition of the travel and tourism sector towards climate neutrality.
The center aims to provide best practices to meet the needs of the entire sector, including multinational corporations with clear objectives and unique experiences, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises constituting 80% of the sector.
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