The new UN Tourism Declaration: A Step Forward or Another Missed Opportunity?
At the COP29 climate summit in Baku, more than 50 governments signed a U.N. declaration aimed at making tourism more climate-friendly. while this is being hailed as a milestone in the global effort for sustainable tourism, we believe it is smart to approach it with caution. While it’s encouraging that countries are acknowledging the role tourism plays in climate change, there are significant concerns about whether this declaration will lead to meaningful action or remain a symbolic gesture, like so many others before it.
The Tourism Declares Example: A Missed Opportunity?
One of the most prominent examples of empty promises in the tourism sector is the Tourism Declares initiative, where a number of tourism organizations and companies signed a pledge to take urgent action on climate change. The intent behind the declaration was noble — to commit to reducing carbon emissions and adopting sustainable practices across the industry. Yet, years after its launch, there’s little concrete evidence to show that these organizations have made substantial progress.
Tourism Declares was a powerful statement, but like many other declarations, it lacked specific, enforceable actions and measurable goals. As a result, it has become just another example of an initiative that looked promising at first but failed to produce real, lasting change. Unfortunately, this is a pattern we see time and again in global sustainability efforts.
A Pattern of Unfulfilled National Climate Plans
The problem doesn’t lie solely with the tourism industry; governments themselves have a long history of failing to follow up on their own climate commitments. For instance, many countries have national climate strategies in place — including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) they submit under the Paris Agreement. These plans outline how countries intend to reduce emissions, protect natural resources, and transition to a more sustainable future.
Yet, when we look at how many countries have acted on their own plans, the results are often disappointing. NDCs are regularly updated, but those updates frequently fail to address the critical gaps in actual implementation. For example, many countries continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels despite committing to greener alternatives. Likewise, large-scale infrastructure projects that harm the environment often go ahead, contradicting the very goals laid out in these official documents.
The lack of follow-through on national climate strategies is a glaring problem. Countries make ambitious promises at global summits, but when it comes to action, the plans often remain on paper, without sufficient policies, investments, or accountability to ensure progress.
A Vague Declaration with Room for Interpretation
The current U.N. tourism declaration, while a positive step in acknowledging the need for climate-friendly tourism, suffers from many of the same issues. The language of the declaration is vague, leaving room for broad interpretation. Governments have pledged to “address tourism” in their climate plans, but what exactly does that mean in practice? Does it entail specific regulations? Or is it simply a call for further discussion without any concrete measures?
Without clear guidelines, milestones, and accountability, there is a real risk that this declaration will become another symbolic gesture, like many before it. While the intention is there, history suggests that such pledges often lack the necessary follow-up to drive actual change.
The Need for Clear Action and Accountability
For this declaration to make a true difference, it needs to be followed by specific, actionable commitments. Governments must move beyond vague promises and implement concrete policies with measurable outcomes. Climate strategies should not only address emissions but also include clear steps for reducing the environmental impact of tourism, such as sustainable infrastructure, carbon offsets, and circular economy principles.
We also need transparency. Governments must be held accountable for their commitments, and tourism operators must report on their sustainability practices in a transparent way. We believe in asking questions for ensuring that the tourism sector — and the governments that oversee it — remain accountable for their climate impact.
Moving Beyond Declarations
As we watch this new tourism declaration unfold, we are cautiously optimistic but remain deeply aware of the risk of more empty promises. The world has seen too many declarations that lacked follow-through, and unless concrete actions and clear accountability are put in place, this will likely become another missed opportunity for the tourism sector and global climate efforts.
At Transparency.travel, we will continue to push for genuine change. It’s time for governments and industry leaders to turn their words into real, measurable action. Until we see real progress, we will remain skeptical. After all, history has shown that without accountability, declarations are just that — words on paper.
The people (including tourism sector) and the planet deserve more than that.
To be continued :)
