The travel and tourism industry has significantly reduced its environmental footprint compared to pre-COVID times, proving enhanced sustainability efforts are bearing fruit, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Unveiled at the opening of the WTTC’s 24th Global Summit in Perth, Australia, the council’s latest Environmental & Social Research study, created in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, reveals travel and tourism accounted for 6.7% of all emissions globally in 2023 – down from 7.8% in 2019.
Encouragingly, the research shows the sector’s economic contribution is growing while its environmental footprint is shrinking.
Last year, the sector’s contribution to global GDP almost reached pre-pandemic levels at US$9.9 trillion – just 4% shy of its peak. Meanwhile, global greenhouse gas emissions were 12% below the 2019 peak, demonstrating more environmentally friendly growth of the sector.
“Our sector is proving that we can grow responsibly. We’re decoupling growth from emissions – travel and tourism is expanding economically while lowering its environmental footprint,” said Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO.
“This is a defining moment, proving that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand in shaping the future of global tourism. However, our aim is absolute reductions. We must accelerate this progress significantly to meet the Paris climate targets. We’re on the right track but we need to up our game.”
Although 2023 showed positive trends compared to 2019, increases in renewable energy use and reductions in fossil fuel reliance remain relatively modest. This highlights the need for more decisive action.
In 2023, the sector’s reliance on fossil fuel energy sources (oil, coal and natural gas) dropped to 88.2% from 90% in 2019.
The share of low-carbon energy sources (nuclear and renewables) increased from 5.1% in 2019 to 5.9% in 2023.
Simpson said there is a need to increasingly invest global travel and tourism revenues in green projects.
In 2023, total travel and tourism tax revenues amounted to US$3.32 trillion – equating to 9.6% of total global tax revenues.
“Governments must use these additional revenues to reinvest in decarbonising infrastructure, expanding renewable energies and supporting businesses in their green transition.”
