Earlier this September, Costa Rica played host to the 19th meeting of the UN’s Committee on Tourism and Sustainability (CTS), bringing together 140 global policymakers and experts from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. Over two days, participants delved into the delicate balance of fostering growth and prosperity in tourism while ensuring inclusivity and sustainability.

The meeting was particularly timely, as the sector is set to witness a surge in global travel, with an estimated 35 billion domestic, same-day, and international trips expected annually by 2030. Special thematic sessions focused on addressing the challenges posed by this growth, from environmental impacts to economic inclusivity.

A Historic Moment for Global Tourism

“This is the first time the Committee has met for two days to reflect deeply on strategic topics for a science-based global tourism agenda, its sustainability, and future resilience,” noted Zoritsa Urosevic, UN Tourism’s Executive Director, emphasizing the importance of the milestone gathering.

Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism, William Rodríguez, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Costa Rica is honored to host this important gathering. We see this as a great challenge and an opportunity to lead discussions that are critical to the environmental, social, and economic future of member countries. Our goal is to promote a model of sustainable, inclusive, and innovative tourism management, something we’ve championed here at home.”

Key Discussions and Insights

The committee tackled various key issues in five structured thematic sessions:

The Future of Tourism

Policymakers discussed the need to strike a balance between growth and sustainability, ensuring that tourism fosters economic prosperity and cultural enrichment for local communities while addressing the evolving challenges of a fast-paced global landscape.

Climate Action and Circularity

Participants welcomed the inclusion of tourism in COP29’s climate action agenda for the first time, celebrating progress made under the Glasgow Declaration. Discussions centered on measuring and mitigating tourism-related greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change.

Nature-Positive Tourism

A renewed commitment was made toward nature-positive practices such as ecosystem restoration and centering nature in tourism policies. The session also highlighted opportunities for emerging destinations to adopt nature-positive tourism models.

Green Claims and Certifications

This session discussed the current challenges of green certification systems, especially in light of recent directives from the European Commission. The importance of creating consistent and globally applicable standards was emphasized, while still recognizing the diverse needs of individual destinations.

Taking Inspiration from Global Good Practice

Discussions also included examples from around the globe of best practices in balancing destination development with sustainability. Costa Rica’s Social Progress Index (SPI) was highlighted as an effective tool for ensuring that tourism aligns with nature-positive principles. Other examples included Fiji’s efforts to integrate its Climate Change Act into tourism policies and Iceland’s model of balancing tourism growth with environmental stewardship.