How can travel and tourism plan for a decarbonising world?
Envisioning Tourism in 2030 is a research report developed to help policymakers and the tourism industry understand what a global, thriving, decarbonising tourism industry could look like by 2030 and through to 2050, when tourism and every other human activity must achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The report was compiled by the Travel Foundation with the Centre of Expertise in Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality, Breda University of Applied Sciences, the European Tourism Futures Institute, and the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions.
Envisioning Tourism in 2030 and Beyond – Summary
Envisioning Tourism in 2030 and Beyond – Summary
Envisioning Tourism in 2030 and Beyond – Full Report
Envisioning Tourism in 2030 and Beyond – Full Report
Report recommendations
- The report finds only one scenario to achieve net zero by 2050, whilst also allowing for growth. To achieve this scenario, key recommendations include:
- more governments including international aviation emissions in their Paris Agreement plans;
- tourist boards and travel companies targeting a greater proportion of short-haul customer and bringing net zero products to market;
- governments investing in greener forms of transport and the travel industry adopting and promoting them
- relying less on offsetting as a “sticking plaster” solution, focusing instead on decarbonisation;
- the need to consider equity and fairness, recognising that some destinations are more ready for the scenario than others; and
- slowing the expected rapid growth in aviation, with limits on the number of long-haul flights.
“There is so much at stake if we continue with a business-as-usual approach to development. For small
Christina Leala Gale, Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)
island developing states like those in the Pacific Island region, it is as simple as ensuring that regional,
national and business level climate resilience targets and actions are integrated into tourism policy and
plans and are well funded. This is a good starting point.”
“The report makes it very clear how deeply each sector of the industry is connected to one another and
Sofya Muhrer-Muromets, Sustainability Lead, TourRadar
how we, by working together and by taking the lead as individuals and as companies in each sector,
could transform the industry and the way we travel.”
“This report makes it clearer than ever: we must keep asking ourselves the hard questions and pursuing urgent and
Alix Farr, Sustainability Lead, Skyscanner
transformative solutions in order to reach our very ambitious – but critically important – goals for 2030.”
Our thanks go to the report sponsors: Iberostar, NBTC (Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions), Intrepid Travel, Destination Vancouver, Barbados Tourism and Cuidadores de Destinos.
