A new report highlighting the work done to support climate action through the tourism industry was released this week at ITB Berlin 2024.

The report, Policy Guidance to Support Climate Action by National Tourism Administrations, was announced by Zoritsa Urosevic, tourism executive director at the United Nations (UN).

According to the UN, the guidance has been developed to help government agencies develop policies and initiatives around the transition to a zero-carbon sector.

The report says that government support for climate action in tourism is ‘crucial’.

It reads: “The transition to a climate resilient model is unlikely to be achieved by market forces alone. Common goods such as preventing further climate damage, restoring ecosystems to provide existential services, and equitable access to development require government intervention.”

It adds: “Governments and their tourism administrations (institutional arrangements vary significantly across countries) play a central role in maximizing the opportunities from a low-carbon transition, including new investments into clean technology, green jobs and skills, and healthier environments.”

Speaking about the report, Urosevic said that while knowledge is one thing, the industry still needs to be creative in order to meet its goals, and those of the wider move towards a zero-carbon world.

She said: “Here, what we have identified is that governments need to really connect with the tourism ministries, environment ministries, trade bodies, and others. And they need to involve the private sector. They also need to create incentives for the private sector to engage.”

Immediately after Urosevic left the stage, there was a panel discussion about the increasingly turbulent world that makes up 2024.

However, climate change was not as much of a consideration, said Alastair Crossley, global head of travel solutions at AXA Partners.

He said: “If you look at last four years, we’ve only been talking about health risk for three of them. But we’re now seeing health risk come through in new areas.”

He added: “The no 1 risk they’re fearful of in 2024 is cybersecurity. They’re afraid of being attacked while travelling. Yet, more than 70 per cent will do something risky while travelling such as using public Wi-Fi or charging their phone in a public place.”

Read the full report here

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