In a significant step toward enhancing sustainability in the global tourism industry, UN Tourism and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance have joined forces to implement a common ESG framework. This partnership is poised to revolutionize how tourism enterprises measure, report, and improve their sustainability efforts.
The new ESG Framework for Tourism Businesses, crafted by UN Tourism in collaboration with the University of Oxford’s SDG Impact Lab, provides a standardized approach for tourism businesses to assess and report their sustainability impacts. The framework addresses the growing demand for consistent and reliable sustainability reporting across the sector.
Under this agreement, UN Tourism and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance will work closely to test the framework, refine its metrics, and engage stakeholders across the industry. This collaboration is expected to bring much-needed alignment between the private and public sectors, ensuring that sustainability efforts are measurable, transparent, and comparable.
Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of UN Tourism, emphasized the significance of this initiative: “The ESG Framework for Tourism Businesses is set to transform the tourism sector by establishing harmonized and essential standards for companies to assess and report their sustainability efforts. The collaboration between UN Tourism and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance highlights how commitment and strategic partnerships can drive alignment and significant progress in ESG.”
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, echoed this sentiment: “Collaborating with UN Tourism on the development of a harmonized ESG Framework represents a significant milestone for the global tourism industry. This partnership not only underscores our commitment to sustainability but also highlights the collective power of our industry to drive meaningful change. By establishing standardized metrics and fostering greater alignment between the private and public sectors, we are paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for tourism worldwide.”
The collaboration is critical when tourism businesses are increasingly pressured to disclose their ESG impacts. The ESG Framework for Tourism Businesses is rooted in the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (SF-MST), endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission and supported by all 193 UN Member States.
The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Net Positive Hospitality Pathway and Framework, which focuses on harmonizing key performance indicators (KPIs) within the hospitality industry, will also play a crucial role in this initiative. The partnership aims to foster greater transparency and accountability in the tourism sector by streamlining reporting and developing standardized metrics.
The global sustainable tourism market, valued at $3.3 trillion in 2022, is projected to grow to $11.4 trillion by 2032, with a CAGR of 14% from 2023 to 2032.
Sustainable tourism, or eco-tourism, aims to minimize travel's environmental impact while providing social and economic benefits. It focuses on environmental protection, biodiversity, cultural respect, and ethical practices throughout the tourism value chain. This approach balances visitor needs with local welfare and resource preservation.
Increasingly, travelers seek to reduce their ecological footprint and support destinations that emphasize environmental and wildlife conservation. Companies are integrating sustainable practices into their CSR agendas, promoting eco-friendly travel options, and partnering with eco-travel suppliers.
Government initiatives also play a key role, with regulations and incentives supporting eco-friendly travel. These include guidelines for environmental management, energy efficiency, and financial support for sustainable projects.
