Blue Economy to kindle inclusive tourism activities

The United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has said that tourism plays a central role in advancing the Blue Economy.

This was disclosed during the One Ocean Summit, hosted by the French Presidency, alongside United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) during the week, where UNWTO chaired a panel session tagged Tourism in the Blue Economy.

It was noted that implementing a blue economy would combat the threats of climate change, plastic pollution and over exploitation of resources.

The panel, representing Colombia, Kenya, Seychelles and Palau, deliberated on how a stronger focus on sustainability can help deliver more competitive and inclusive tourism activities.

Addressing the Summit, UNWTO Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic, said: “Tourism is one of the pillars of the Blue Economy and plays a key role in the preservation of oceans by providing financial incentives and mechanisms to protect ecosystems. But we can, and must, do more. As part of the recovery, tourism shall play a key role in the regeneration of coastal and marine ecosystems for resilience, putting people at the center of our efforts.”

He continued: “At present, tourism represents 40 per cent of the blue economy – as the largest share in export value according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Global tourism’s restart and recovery from the impacts of the pandemic represents an opportunity for the sector to support the transformation of coastal and marine destinations towards more sustainable and resilient models that are anchored on ocean protection and responsible use.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Seychelles Sylvestre Ragedonde, said: “The destinies of tourism and the blue economy must be intertwined to make responsible use of the limited resources. Our mother ocean should take a commanding role in tourism strategies. For the Seychelles, the blue economy represents a holistic approach for the tourism sector and local economy.”

Corporate leaders from Accor, ClubMed, Costa Cruises, Iberostar Group, PONANT, TUI Group and the Blue Climate Initiative joined policy makers in the call to prioritise ocean protection and commitments to address plastic pollution through practical solutions in line with the framework proposed by the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, which supports transitioning to a circular economy of plastics.”