The World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Sustainable Tourism has developed the following principles to guide businesses, governments, destinations, travellers and resident communities to better design and manage tourism destinations and practices for many years to come. Over the past 50 years, international arrivals have grown from 200 million to close to 1.6 billion. This tremendous growth in international connectivity and travel has had countless economic and societal benefits worldwide, not least the contribution of 10% of global GDP in recent years and as the generator of 1 in every 10 jobs.

The entire world felt the impact of the global shutdown in air travel and related tourism services in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those destinations that depend heavily on international tourism for economic prosperity and development have suffered the most.

While recovery is underway, many stakeholders paused to reconsider how the aviation, travel and tourism sector can emerge together from the major shutdowns in a better position to advance a more resilient, sustainable and equitable sector, one that puts people and planet at its core and prevents patterns such as overcrowding, resident dissatisfaction, and resource degradation and depletion from being the regular spill over effects of rapid tourism development.

The experts of the Global Future Council on Sustainable Tourism sought to combat several trends in travel and tourism management and design: – Overcrowding, mismanaged growth, the degradation of natural and cultural assets and the unequal distribution of benefits to local economies and across value chains are in many instances harming the tourism sector and its potential benefits.

– Travel and tourism investments and behaviours have not adequately accounted for the value of the natural environment on land and in the oceans. Acknowledging and quantifying the inherent tourism and economic value of protected areas and natural assets are crucial to preserving the long-term value of tourism for travellers and businesses alike.

– The urgency of climate action can no longer be ignored and the tourism industry has seen increased awareness and action in the face of this urgent need. Actions and investments are required to avoid further significant disruptions in the travel and tourism sector as it can be particularly vulnerable to climate impacts.

The principles contained herein are interconnected by design and usefully aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The intent of the council in articulating these ten principles is to demonstrate that with adequate governance and considerate redesign, instead of being at great risk from future shocks such as loss of biodiversity, community dissatisfaction and climate impact, tourism can be an effective vehicle for biodiversity and heritage conservation, targeted climate action and the fulfilling of many of the SDGs.

Furthermore, given the diversity of stakeholders required to achieve such bold change, the principles endeavour to provide a shared vocabulary that drives aligned action between businesses, governments and travellers alike.

Each principle showcases best-in-class innovations and resources, sharing valuable examples where cities, regions or countries have already adopted practices that preserve the local heritage and natural resources, incentivize responsible behaviours from businesses and travellers, foster equitable local economic development, monitor progress and impact scientifically, and calibrate services and governance practices to ensure the resilience and longevity of the people, places and processes that will pres