UN Tourism has urged G20 Tourism Ministers to strengthen collaboration and make tourism a driver of inclusion, sustainability and economic resilience.
The call came during the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting under South Africa’s presidency, which focused on policies to enhance equality and long-term development in the sector.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, “Strengthening multilateralism through tourism will deliver results in socio-economic inclusion, sustainable development, peace and understanding.”
He praised the South African Presidency’s theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” stressing that these goals require targeted policies and mutual support among nations.
Priorities of the G20 Tourism Agenda
The meeting addressed four key priorities: enhancing tourism startups and MSMEs through digital innovation, financing and investment to drive sustainable development, improving air connectivity for seamless travel, and building resilience for inclusive tourism growth. Pololikashvili said progress on digital transformation, financing and investment is critical, noting “there will be no resilience without sustainability.”
International tourist arrivals rose 5% in the first half of 2025 compared with last year, according to the UN Tourism Barometer. Officials emphasized that innovation and emerging technologies could transform tourism MSMEs, which form the backbone of the sector, but require adequate financing and programs to close the digital divide and promote inclusion.
Tourism’s Role in Development
Pololikashvili highlighted the importance of financing for developing countries, pointing out that for Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, tourism is a major source of employment, foreign exchange and tax revenue. Despite this, Official Development Assistance (ODA) for tourism remains below 0.11% of total ODA. He urged governments and international institutions to recognize tourism as a vital tool for development.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General also underlined Africa’s role in the global tourism agenda, noting that the continent is home to 19% of the world’s population, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30. “The opportunities the continent offers in tourism are many,” he said, adding that unlocking investment and development for jobs and inclusion is a priority of the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa.
The G20 economies account for 70% of international tourist arrivals and exports, and 83% of global tourism GDP. In 2023, tourism represented 3.1% of G20 GDP, while in 2024 it contributed 5% of total exports and 23% of all service exports. UN Tourism served as a knowledge partner to the South African G20 Presidency, underscoring the significance of the sector to global economic growth and resilience.
