Tourism’s key role in advancing sustainable social and economic development has been highlighted in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.

The meeting of the G20 economies (New Delhi, India, 9-10 September) recognized the “opportunity to build a better future [through] development models that implement sustainable, inclusive and just transitions globally, while leaving no one behind”.

The high-level discussions concluded with the launch of the Leaders’ Declaration, a set of agreed-upon aims for advancing development and prosperity. Here, tourism is recognized for its ability to drive the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the wider 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The recognition of the importance of tourism reflects UNWTO’s role as the knowledge partner of the Indian Presidency of the G20. The Leaders’ Declaration builds on the Goa Roadmap for Tourism for Tourism as a Vehicle for Achieving the SDGs. This Roadmap, which was included as an annex to the Leaders’ Declaration, is structured around the five priority areas under India's G20 Presidency, namely green tourism, digitalization, skills, supporting tourism MSMEs, and destination management.