In a significant development for the global Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC), launched by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia , have jointly revealed groundbreaking Environmental Impact Research data. This unveiling encompasses 185 countries and highlights the sector's multi-dimensional influence on the global stage.

During the WTTC Global Summit last year in Riyadh, both organizations initiated this collaboration and disclosed the sector's precise greenhouse gas emissions for the first time. This comprehensive data, which will be updated annually, represents a significant milestone in the history of Travel & Tourism.

H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, emphasized the report's significance, underlining the sector's consistent decline in emissions intensity over the past decade. He also stressed the urgent need for the Travel & Tourism sector to achieve net zero emissions.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, emphasized the importance of this data in shaping the sector's sustainable future, focusing on reducing its environmental footprint and enhancing its social impact.

H.E. Gloria Guevara, Chief Special Advisor of the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the crucial role of the STGC in spearheading sustainability efforts within the global Travel & Tourism sector.

The report not only sheds light on the sector's direct impact but also examines its supply chain effects, both domestically and internationally. It integrates economic metrics with key environmental factors, showing its commitment to 15 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Key highlights from the research showcase the sector's strides in decoupling its environmental footprint from its GDP growth, highlighting reductions in water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and material extraction. The report also emphasizes the monitoring of various pollutants, underlining the sector's commitment to sustainable practices.

WTTC and STGC reaffirm their dedication to fostering collaboration and dialogue among all industry stakeholders, demonstrating a commitment to a more sustainable and equitable world.