G20 Leaders have endorsed a broad slate of measures to advance global tourism growth, recognizing the sector’s role in shared prosperity and sustainable development during the first G20 Summit held in Africa under South Africa’s Presidency. The commitments outlined in the G20 Leaders’ Declaration focus on boosting innovation, improving connectivity, expanding market access and supporting inclusive tourism practices.
UN Tourism welcomed the outcome, noting that G20 economies account for around 70% of international tourist arrivals and exports from tourism. The organization said the actions agreed by leaders represent meaningful progress for a sector that contributes 3.1% of G20 GDP, 5% of exports and 21% of service exports across member economies.
Connectivity, innovation and inclusion highlighted by leaders
The Declaration sets out new commitments to strengthen air connectivity, expand routes and facilitate access to travel markets, while also prioritizing aviation safety, security and fair competition. Leaders emphasized support for digital innovation and the development of tourism start-ups and MSMEs, alongside efforts to unlock financing for sustainable tourism projects.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The G20 economies represent around 70% of international tourism, and so this clear recognition of our sector’s importance to shared prosperity and sustainability is hugely welcome. We are particularly encouraged to see G20 Leaders intent to work on more and better connectivity between destinations, accelerating innovation and the shift to digital, ensuring the sector leaves no one behind and placing tourism in national development strategies. Great strides were made by South Africa’s G20 Presidency. I would like to congratulate HE President Cyril Ramaphosa for an outstanding Presidency, the first in Africa, and Minister Patricia DeLille for her leadership in the tourism track.”
Leaders also committed to promoting opportunities for youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and people in vulnerable situations. They highlighted the need for practical and evidence-based approaches to ensure that tourism development is inclusive, equitable and aligned with sustainability priorities.
UN Tourism’s role in shaping the G20 agenda
UN Tourism served as a Knowledge Partner to the South African G20 Presidency, contributing research and technical input to meetings of the Tourism Working Group and the Tourism Ministers Meeting held in Mpumalanga. Ministers last September pledged support for policies aimed at strengthening air connectivity, improving digital tools for tourism MSMEs and enhancing resilience across tourism ecosystems.
The Declaration underscored the importance of integrating tourism into national development strategies and mobilizing public-private capital to support sustainability-aligned investment environments. Leaders called for predictable and transparent frameworks that encourage financing for tourism initiatives capable of delivering long-term economic and social benefits while protecting cultural heritage and natural assets.
The commitments reflect a growing recognition of tourism’s role in creating jobs and economic opportunities worldwide. G20 economies collectively generate the majority of global tourism receipts, making coordinated policy action within the group a significant influence on how destinations recover, evolve and build resilience in the years ahead.
With South Africa’s Presidency marking the first G20 Summit staged in Africa, UN Tourism noted the importance of the moment for placing inclusive tourism growth on the global agenda. The organization said it will continue working with member states to accelerate innovation, develop sustainable tourism models and enhance connectivity between destinations as outlined in the G20 commitments.
