Perth, Australia – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) commenced its 24th Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia, with a groundbreaking update on the environmental impact of the travel sector.

According to the latest Environmental & Social Research (ESR) by WTTC, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Travel & Tourism's global emissions fell to 6.7% in 2023 from a peak of 7.8% in 2019. This significant decrease underscores the sector's commitment to sustainability amid economic recovery.

In 2023, Travel & Tourism nearly restored its pre-pandemic economic output, contributing nearly US$9.9 trillion to global GDP, just 4% shy of its peak. Concurrently, global greenhouse gas emissions related to the sector dropped by 12% compared to 2019 levels, with emissions per unit of GDP declining by 8.4%.

"This data highlights a pivotal moment for our industry," remarked Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC. "We're demonstrating that economic growth and environmental stewardship can coexist. While we're proud of the progress made, our goal remains absolute emissions reduction to align with global climate targets."

A key factor driving emissions within Travel & Tourism is energy consumption. Despite progress in renewable energy adoption – increasing from 5.1% in 2019 to 5.9% in 2023 – fossil fuels still constitute 88.2% of the sector's energy sources. This highlights the need for accelerated efforts towards greener practices.

The sector's tax contributions further underscore its economic importance, generating US$3.32 trillion in tax revenues globally in 2023, equivalent to 9.6% of total global tax revenues. Governments are urged to reinvest these funds into sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy initiatives to facilitate a greener transition.

As WTTC continues to advocate for sustainable growth in Travel & Tourism, Simpson emphasized, "Innovation and sustainability are integral to shaping the future of global tourism. We've made strides, but concerted efforts are essential to achieve lasting environmental stewardship."

The WTTC Global Summit in Perth serves as a platform to galvanize stakeholders towards a more sustainable future, reinforcing the imperative for collaborative action in the journey towards environmental responsibility in travel and tourism.