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The United Nations is backing 2017 as the ‘International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development’.

Adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as the end of last year, the year recogniszes “the importance of international tourism, and particularly of the designation of an international year of sustainable tourism for development, in fostering better understanding among peoples everywhere, in leading to a greater awareness of the rich heritage of various civilisations and in bringing about a better appreciation of the inherent values of different cultures, thereby contributing to the strengthening of peace in the world”.

Commenting on the adoption, United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General Taleb Rifai stated “the declaration by the UN of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development is a unique opportunity to advance the contribution of the tourism sector to the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environmental, while raising awareness of the true dimensions of a sector which is often undervalued.

“As the lead UN agency for this initiative, UNWTO is very much looking forward to proceeding with the organisation and implementation of the International Year, in collaboration with Governments, relevant organisations of the UN system, other international and regional organizations and all other relevant stakeholders.”

This decision follows the recognition by global leaders at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) that “well-designed and well-managed tourism” can contribute to the three dimensions of sustainable development, to job creation and to trade.

The decision to adopt 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development comes at a particularly important moment as the international community embraces the new Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), approved by the UN General Assembly last September. Tourism is included as targets under three of the SDGs - SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production and SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

In advance of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s 2016 Annual Conference will be exploring key issue relating to the year at its 2016 Conference, beign held in Suwon, South Korea from 5th to 8th October.

The GSTC is  global organisation created by the United Nations system and leading global conservation organisations to develop standards for sustainability in travel and tourism.

It has partnered with Korean hosts to assemble an all-star group of experts on sustainable tourism to provide leading-edge insights into these important questions. Participants will network with and share knowledge with an international group of sustainable tourism experts.

Click here for event details in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image: New Caledonia's Barrier Reef.

1st September 2016 - WTTC CHALLENGES TOURISM BUSINESSES TO SHOW HOW SUSTAINABLE THEY ARE

27th June 2016 - CLIMATE CHANGE A MASSIVE THREAT TO GLOBAL HERITAGE AND TOURISM

14th June 2016 - EARTHCHECK AND GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY PARTNER ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

15th March 2016 - UNWTO HEAD ADVOCATES FOR SAFER, EASIER TRAVEL IN 2016

30th November 2014 - UN REPORT SHOWS GROWING VALUE OF GLOBAL ADVENTURE TOURISM

12th December 2014 - ANGER OVER AUSTRALIA’S WITHDRAWL FROM UNWTO 

19th September 2013 - PATA ADVOCATES SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VISITOR ECONOMY 

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