How the tourism industry can contribute towards achieving the UN SDGs & why this matters! But first, what are SDGs?
The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) are global goals that aim to create a better future for all. The goals were launched by the United Nations in 2015 and are acting as a drive for changing lives. The SDGs succeeded the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs were eight goals with measurable targets and clear deadlines for the lives of the disadvantaged people. The MDGs took more than one billion people out of extreme poverty and enabled more girls to attend school more than ever before.
The Agenda 2030 is a commitment that aims to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030 making sure that no human is left behind. There are many current initiatives globally being done to combat the SDGs to make sure they become a reality. The UN can only achieve the SDGs with the help of all sectors. The travel and tourism sector has proved to play a very important part when it comes to achieving the goals as it also helps to make a difference in the local communities.
What is Agenda 2030?
Agenda 2030 aims to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030 world –wide. It is a shared global vision making sure that no one is left behind. It includes issues such as natural resources management, sustainable consumption and production, peaceful societies and effective institutions. It unites three dimensions that drive sustainable development which are economic, environmental and social. To achieve the 2030 vision collective action is required from everyone. It had four crucial elements that guide it, which are a political declaration, a set of seventeen SDGs, means of implementation, a framework for review of the Agenda. The Agenda has to be implemented as a whole and business should avoid dividing it.
WHAT ARE SDGs
There are seventeen sustainable development goals that have been put in place to help improve the lives of all. The goals are a reflection of the global challenges faced by different countries. The problems addressed by the goals are climate change, environmental degradation, poverty, inequality and peace and justice. The goals aim to give everyone a decent life and give the world a sustainable future. The SDGs are universally applicable to all nations and take into account the nations levels of development and challenges. Each country has a responsibility to achieve the SDGs and a role to play locally and at a global level. The 2030 global goals are:
Are the goals achievable?
The global goals can only be achieved through strong inclusive and sustainable policies. Global goals are not being taken seriously by most organisations, countries and it is one of the major restraints. It will be hard to achieve the goals if the countries are not establishing proper economic, social and political policies that help improve the lives of the local people. The current sets of policies used by governments are limiting progress. Despite all the efforts by the UN the global goals will only be achievable if the different governments work together with the UN and improve the lives of their people.
CURRENT INITIATIVES GLOBALLY COMBATING SDGs
Only ten years are left to achieve the goals. All over the world organisations and companies are taking initiatives to contribute towards sustainable goals. We are now under the decade of action. Nations should get resources and better solutions for sustainable development. The second level is local action and this calls governments and authorities to introduce new policies that help improve the lives of the people economically and socially. The last level is people action and this level is calling all communities and stakeholders to work towards one direction and push for change.
The UN World Food Programme in partnership with organisations such as Healthy Not Hungry have been saving lives by giving food. It is very easy to achieve the other SDGs with healthy, well-fed communities. It is a movement that aims to achieve zero hunger. My thoughts are that local communities should be taught how to be sustainable by giving them funds to start new projects and training. This will allow the people to have a stream of income and to be independent making sure that they do not depend on hand-outs. In 88 countries the innovative hunger solutions feed 100 million people. An emergency letter has also been issued out to the world leaders demanding action towards the sustainable goals. Without the help of the leaders from the different countries it is very difficult to achieve the goals. World leaders need to redouble efforts and fully incorporate SDGs into their national plans. Sweden is one country with an average of 84.5% of achieving the 2030 goals and has fully incorporated the SDGs into their national plans.
ONE as an organisation works towards tackling big causes of poverty and diseases particularly in Africa. ONE also fights for gender equality, youth employment, quality education, affordable and clean energy, peace and justice, industry, innovation and infrastructure, decent work and economic growth and partnerships for the goals. ONE calls upon all governments and international donors to focus on the goals and make sure no one is left behind. ONE has helped secure at least $37.5 billion in funding for historic health initiatives, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Their initiatives have impacted over 180 million people and families.
In order to achieve the goals everyone should be fully aware of the goals. Volunteers from all over the world have been brought together by the Wiki Loves SDGs edit -a –thon. Volunteers from around the world worked together recently to get accurate information about the global goals on Wikipedia. New articles about the goals were created and it helped educate more people about the goals through the world’s most comprehensive encyclopaedia. 517 Wikipedia pages were improved and over 3300 edits were made. The aim is to call more people to act and contribute towards the achievement of the goals.
HOW TOURISM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO EACH SDG
Tourism has the power to contribute positively to all the goals indirectly and directly. It is one of the sectors that allow global economic growth. Sustainable tourism is part of the 2030 Agenda. The tourism sector can contribute to each goal by having a clear implementation outline, financing, and investment in technology, infrastructure and human resources.
The tourism sector can contribute to the goals by making sure they link every programme to a sustainable goal. This will help the sector achieve the goals as they would have included the goals in their day-to-day activities. Tourism can contribute to the renewal of areas and development of rural places giving people a chance to flourish in their different places of origin. Tourism is an effective way for developing countries to take part in the global economy. Travel and tour operators can introduce youth campaigns, teaching and health programmes. The initiative will help improve the quality of education and well-being of local communities.
As Tiritose Sustainable Travel we also make sure we educate our clients of the sustainability policy that they act accordingly. Our guests are advised on activities that directly benefit the locals such as buying locally produced goods and visiting social projects. By doing this, we aim to reduce regional imbalances and allow people to sustain themselves in their different areas. We also have a commitment to reduce energy consumption by preferring low energy equipment. We make sure to use accommodation options that employ locals, which contributes towards the goal of equality through economic emancipation.
To contribute towards the goal of life on land and water we do not offer any excursions that affect natural resources negatively. Our campaign called Wet Land Dry, done in collaboration with the Italian EU missions in Zimbabwe, including Italy, Germany, Sweden and local non-profits like Miracle Missions and EnviroExperts saw us spreading awareness in schools around Zimbabwe. The students took part in a competition where they outlined priorities for ecology and conservation in Zimbabwe. A permanent feature was installed in Greenwood Park, with a cycle-powered water pump and painting mural.
Sustainable tourism companies can help with the reduction of poverty in the different destinations by making sure all the local people are employed. If tourism is responsibly managed it has the chance to support job creation. Companies should employ local tour guides, chefs, transport operators and activity operators. Job creation will help or allow people to access income that can help them feed their families and improve their living standards. To contribute positively to each SDG, businesses should put the people and planet first when making decisions. Tourism is an economic powerhouse and represents 10% of the world’s Gross domestic product. Tourism can be responsible for sustainable economic growth and development. The sector allows the national government to upgrade their infrastructure and clean as a means to attract tourists.
INITIATIVES THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR IS CURRENTLY DOING TO ACHIEVE EACH SDG
Sustainable cities and communities and reduced inequality
The travel and tourism sector has been promoting community development around the different tourist destinations. The sector has been pushing for the inclusion of local people into destinations and product management. The companies have been making sure that they use local tour guides and locally owned lodges and hotels. The efforts ensure that the community plays a role in developing cultural products that benefit them whilst sustaining their environment.
Tour operators have also ensured that they educate their customers on the need to purchase locally produced goods. The efforts will contribute towards the goal of sustainable communities and cities and reduced inequality. The tourism sector has been motivating and engaging locals in cultural based tourism activities offering tourist good services while creating sustainable sources of income for the communities. Intrepid is achieving the SDG 10 of reduced inequality by redistributing the world’s wealth by bringing travellers to local communities.
Zero Hunger and No poverty
Tiritose Sustainable Travel has also partnered with other organisations that are working towards the SDGs such as Tariro Trust to make sure we provide food hampers to the needy, helping reduce hunger in the local communities. Red Rocks Initiatives believes that surplus income from ecotourism allows workers to start small businesses and pass on the money to other community members by buying local goods. Red Rocks targets different fields including conservation, responsible tourism and community development to ensure that the communities gain. It will allow people to have streams of income and be able to purchase basic food commodities. Overtourism Solution is a new initiative by Venezia Autentica that is looking to transfer unique and on the ground experience to other destinations around the world. Overtourism Solution is an ideal partner for tourism boards and associations who want to ensure that local communities and destinations benefit.
Good health and Well being
Tiritose Sustainable Travel has also been contributing to the achievement of sustainable goals. Programmes have been designed that benefit the communities directly. We have medical programmes such as the medical practice internship and the Global Clinical Rotation that help bring in medical and pre-health students who come and help in the local hospitals. This initiative contributes towards the goal of good health and well-being of the communities by providing them with basic healthcare services.
Quality Education
Impactrip International Volunteering Programs (IVP) are aligned to the UN SDGS. IVP is focused on pushing for quality education. IVP has Youth and Teaching programmes ensure equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Tiritose has programmes that help promote quality education such as Kariba Conservation that allow volunteers and students to teach at local schools. Tiritose also has an Early Childhood Development and Health that helps children access basic education.
Gender equality
Exclusive Art Tourism is a project that contributes towards the goal of gender equality. The project has been providing sponsorship for young female artists in rural areas as well as nurturing the art skills so that they are not wasted. Support to women has also been provided in the tourism circle (wives of drivers) to start income generating projects as well as giving them the relevant training. The tourism vocational training in Zimbabwe is a project that expands vocational training for the tourism sector with a view of enabling tourism employees and unemployed youth and women to make a career in the tourism sector.
Clean water and sanitation
Flockeo has been created to federate a global community around sustainable tourism. It aims to connect travellers and professionals in an inclusive ecosystem based on sustainability values, protecting the environment, and bringing benefits of tourism to local regions. The Flockeo barometer takes into account four key indicators to assess the ecological footprint of tourist destinations. One of the indicators is pressure on water. The indicator accounts for the quality, quantity as well as existence of infrastructures set up to manage water. ComeMakeWeGo Africa launched an environmental sustainability initiative with wastebaskets and bins to boost sustainable tourism around local communities in Africa.
Affordable and Clean energy
Route220 created the Evway Travel Network. The initiatives were created to allow all hospitality services that offer EV charging solutions to their guests. The EV Travel is a touristic portal and allows users to easily identify hospitality partners that adhere to the mission of the network.
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and Decent work and economic growth
The theme for World Tourism Day was the year of tourism and rural development. The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) aims to support governments at various levels and the private sector to develop rural communities to contribute towards sustainable and infrastructural development. Tourism Ready was created in 2015 to spread tourism and economic prosperity throughout New York. The goal of the program is to help local businesses reap monetary benefits out of tourism. Hostelling International, a federation of more than 4000 hostels in more than 80 countries, is pursuing SDG 9 of Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Hostelling promotes sustainable practices among its members and guests by giving them the information needed to voluntarily commit to sustainability Promoting Innovation for Productive Employment in the Tourism Sector (PIPETS) is an initiative that aims to increase productive employment opportunities for jobless people in the key priority areas of the tourism sector. The initiative will serve 1 000 010 unemployed people in Ghana. Tiritose Sustainable Travel has a Business and Professional Skills Development Internships that promotes productive activities, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Responsible Consumption and Production
Businesses have been adopting sustainable consumption and production models that help monitor sustainable development impacts for tourism. CONEXION 2030 has also been developed as a platform for learning about how to integrate sustainable tourism and the SDGs. Currently CONEXION is developing technological and learning tools for companies to help them develop more effective and transparent sustainable reporting and to promote the Agenda 2030 in the tourism sector. Nilus, a non-profit company, is contributing to responsible consumption and production with an uber-like approach to fighting food waste and malnutrition.
Climate Action
Currently CONEXION is developing technological and learning tools for companies to help them develop more effective and transparent sustainable reporting and to promote the Agenda 2030 in the tourism sector. A business model for contributing with mitigation and adaptation to climate change is being developed. CONEXION also invited the tourism companies and travellers to sign the pledge for sustainable tourism. The goal is to reach 2030 signed pledges and the organisation will compensate 20.30kg of CO2 for each pledge signed. The aim is to promote SDGs while traveling and creating experiences. Flockeo has a barometer with four key indicators and one is Air Quality. The air quality is a key factor for a memorable stay in any place. Tourism companies have been playing a critical leading role in fighting climate change by reducing their carbon footprints and making sure that customers use the best mode of transport that saves energy.
Life below water and life on land
Tiritose Sustainable Travel also has animal conservation programmes for volunteers, pre-vet, veterinary students which are Kariba Conservation and Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation programmes. The programmes contribute towards the goal of protecting life on land and climate change. Tourism Cares is also working towards conserving the natural resources. A two-day Tourism Cares Inspiration Exchange brought 100 travel professionals to discuss what each company is doing to achieve the SDGs. According to Tourism Cares there will be about 800 million more international travellers and the state of the natural resources and pollution will worsen if the travel sector does not work towards being sustainable.
Peace and Justice & Strong Institutions
Tourism businesses help foster multicultural and interfaith tolerance among communities. Tour operators such as Impulse Travel also have cultural tours to help break misconceptions about Colombia. Tourism allows exchanges of ideas through cultural tourism. It allows people to be more aware of each other’s problems and points of view.
Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Tourism companies have been partnering with public and private companies to make sure they engage all stakeholders to work together achieving the SGDs. Tiritose Sustainable Travel has partnered with Chidamoyo Christian Hospital to make sure they people access quality health and help improve the well-being of local surrounding communities.
WHAT GOVERNING BODIES ARE DOING TO ACHIEVE THE SDGs
Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Governing bodies such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council have been working towards the SDGs. There is a very good relationship between the GSTC criteria for tourism operators and the SDGs. The GSTC criteria addresses all the environmental, social and economic elements of the SDGs. Companies in the tourism sector can follow the GSTC criteria and other standards that provide effective tools to help them contribute towards each SDG.
One strategy is the sustainable destination strategy which allows businesses to review their soci0-economic and environmental impact. The criteria serve as a global baseline for sustainability in the travel and tourism sector. The criterion helps raise awareness and make sustainable policies. Taking part in the GSTC criteria helps organisations achieve SDGs by certifying sustainable operators. Organisations are therefore forced to be sustainable to be recognised by the GSTC. The strategy helps organisations that follow it to contribute towards the five goals that are affordable clean energy, industry innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, life below water and life on land. Performance indicators designed to provide guidance in measuring compliance with the criteria have also been designed. GSTC criteria and other GSTC –Recognised standards are effective tools that can help contribute to the seventeen if followed by all businesses in the tourism sector.
Greenview Portal is an industry-specific system developed to allow hotel companies to track, measure and improve on areas of environmental sustainability and social responsibility at their properties. Greenview Portal is a GSTC-Recognised system and helps hotels to contribute towards climate action by protecting the environment and reducing the negative effects. The system helps hotels to improve on their social responsibility and build sustainable communities.
Fair Travel offers expertise and coaching to companies, cities, regions and events towards sustainable development. Fair Travel also offers assistance and management of development contributing towards the goal of industry, innovation and economic growth. Green Destinations works in 80 countries and supports destination managers and stakeholders to enhance destination sustainability and tourism quality, helping local communities get jobs and contributing towards the goal of no poverty. Responsible Tourism Institute promotes responsible travel at international travel. It contributes to sustainable development by measuring the contribution of tourism to the SDGs against climate change.
TRAVELIFE
TRAVELIFE promotes tourism’s role in the advancement of SDGs. The organisation helps with the management, training and aims to support tour operators in implementing sustainability practices in their operations by advising on latest developments. Travelife has a criterion that allows internal management, animal welfare, partners and suppliers, product range and client communication. All the elements help tour operators contribute towards the SDGs, which are sustainable cities and communities, decent work and economic growth and life on land.
TRAVELIFE requires tour operators to have a public sustainability policy and buy sustainable local products and also advise partners and suppliers to work sustainably. As Tiritose Sustainable Travel we follow the Travelife criteria and have a public and open sustainability policy that guides all our operations, including a Sustainability Action Plan, which holds us accountable over a 5-year period. We make sure that every employee takes the Travelife course and is educated on sustainability policies.
As we are in the last decade it is important to mobilise the global audience to learn about the SDGs and help shape their lives. The aim of the SDGs is to have a successful, sustainable, equal and peaceful world by 2030. There is a need for effective and coordinated partnerships that the goals are included into every country’s national plan.
By all counts and with proven initiatives the tourism sector has been working tirelessly to achieve the UN SDGs. The article has discussed key areas of how tourism is contributing towards the achievement of the UN SDGs. Despite the initiatives to combat the UN SDGs more projects are needed to meet the 2030 deadline. As the article unfolds we begin to understand that the travel and tourism sector has been doing more good than harm to the local communities. Travel and tourism has been ensuring that it creates streams of incomes for the people building sustainable independent communities. The Agenda 2030 can only be achieved if we all join hands and work towards the improvement of our lives.
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