Tourism 2030: Time to get real: Travel Foundation on stage with CELTH report

The Travel Foundation is an international Sustainable Travel NGO with the aim of tourism having a positive impact on destinations. Like all industries, tourism must make the transition to net zero by 2050. While many other sectors have already achieved reductions, that goal in tourism is still far away. Not that no sustainable steps are being made, but the gains made there are being canceled out by the strong growth of tourism.

The uncomfortable truth

Sampson started with the uncomfortable facts. Tourism is currently responsible for 8% to 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing it is not easy, just because tourism is also important for the economic and social development of many countries. Yet, according to Sampson, it is 'time to get real'. “Because if we do nothing, tourism will be responsible for 66% of remaining global emissions in the future. That is completely unacceptable.”

A future without emissions

The report was produced in the context of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Change in Tourism. In it, tourism organisations commit to a path that leads to net zero in 2050: “But we have never wondered what a future of tourism without CO2 emissions would look like,” Sampson told the audience. In the model used for Envisioning Tourism 2030, the researchers tested 44 different interventions that will double tourism by 2050. “The simplest thing is to limit travel, but I don't think many people will be enthusiastic about that,” Sampson said with a sense of understatement. “And so, we started looking for a scenario where tourism can grow with fewer greenhouse gas emissions.”

Total emissions must be reduced

In short, the conclusion is that the sector can continue to grow but cannot emit anymore. “We must think carefully about the type of growth we want. Lower emissions intensity per trip does not benefit the planet, but reducing total emissions does benefit the planet. Currently, emissions are growing every year and that is not a viable model.” In the Travel Foundation's view, growth is only possible for travel with low emissions. “We should not hope and pray that technology alone will help us move forward.”

The simplest is to electrify accommodations. This is very feasible with the current technical possibilities. According to Sampson, SAF is only part of the solution for aviation. “It will take decades before the entire fleet is electrified.” Sampson does predict that flying will become more expensive because SAF simply entails more costs.

Five milestones

In concrete terms, Sampson came to Berlin with five milestones in his back pocket.

1. All emissions resulting from tourism must be recorded.
2. Above all, we need to put a spotlight on net-zero travel in marketing.
3. Cross-border and cross-sectoral cooperation is essential.
4. Companies and organisations should be encouraged to sign and implement the Glasgow Declaration.
5. Vulnerable destinations must be strengthened, and we must work towards climate justice.

And the most important thing, according to Sampson, is to work on the absolute reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

There's work to be done

With the publication of Envisioning Tourism 2030, Sampson's work is far from over: “Our scenario is only feasible with political will, and commitment from the sector and it requires major investments. All this requires bold leadership that does not shy away from difficult conversations. If we do not address this ourselves, we will face draconian measures.” Finally, Sampson stated: The world will emit less CO2 with or without you.”

WTTC: Registration essential

Julia Simpson from the WTTC was slightly more positive about the match in her reaction but also sees that we don't have much time left. She sees a lot in good registration: “If you just can't count, you can't change. We are still growing as a sector, which is not good, but one bright spot is that we are emitting less and less per trip.” She also does not want to blame aviation entirely: “40% of tourism emissions come from transport, half of which is ground transport. If we electrify that, we will already be taking a big step.” For aviation, she wants to focus on SAF, just like Sampson. “Production must be scaled up. Not everything we do has to be perfect. But if 80% of companies do just a little bit, we will improve a lot.”

UN Tourism: Helping each other

Zoritsa Urosevic of UN Tourism mainly wants to bring parties together. “850 organisations have now signed the Glasgow Declaration. That is important because we cannot achieve anything without all partners working on it.” For UN Tourism, climate and economy go hand in hand.” Urosevic also sees challenges: “80% of the tourism sector consists of small and medium-sized companies. How are we going to incorporate this into knowledge and investment space.”

European Union: More rules

Misa Labarile of the European Commission emphasised the European Union's ambitious climate goals: “More sustainable, inclusive and digital.” The Green Deal sets the standard for her. “In the coming years, more legislation will be introduced to achieve a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040. We are going to 70% SAF and companies must already pay for emissions.”

Croatia: Connecting local communities

Nikolina Brnjac from the Republic of Croatia emphasised the involvement of local communities in transitions. “Without their support, nothing will change. We have integrated all 17 Sustainable Development Goals into our sustainable strategy.”

Oman: Balance between development and impact

Salim M. Almahruqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism of host country Oman, focuses very much on the balance between development and the impact it has. “We focus on zero emissions.”