New Global Coalition Will Accelerate Tourism Industry's Transition to Net Zero

HRH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announcesmulti-country,multi-stakeholder coalition

- Sustainable Tourism Global Centerwill support millions of stakeholders,including SMEs,travelers,governments,academia,NGOs and the private sectoron the transition to net zero

RIYADH,Saudi Arabia,Oct. 25,2021 -- TheSaudi Arabian Governmenthas launchedthe Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC),a multi-country,multi-stakeholder coalition that willaccelerate the tourism sector's transition tonet zeroemissions,as well as drive action to protect nature and support communities.

New Global Coalition Will Accelerate Tourism Industry's Transition to Net Zero

Launchedtodayby HRH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman,theSustainable Tourism Global Centerwillsupport travelers,and the private sector,to ensure that tourismenables growthandcreatesjobs,while playingits partto achieve the climate goals laid out in the Paris Agreement,including contributing to keeping the world to under 1.5-degrees Celsius warming.

With theglobal travel and tourism sectorresponsible for8% of global greenhouse gas emissions,Saudi Arabia has prioritized urgent action to support this important sector in its transition to net zero.

The Global Center will be the platform to bring all the knowledge and expertise; itaims to be the "north star"for the tourism sectoras it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemicandtransitions toward a sustainable future.Globally,tourismsupports more than 330 million livelihoods – and pre-pandemic,itwas responsible for creating one in four new jobsglobally.

Details of this coalition and the services it will provide will be formally announced during COP26.

HE Ahmed Al Khateeb,Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia said:"Thetourism sector contributesto8% of globalgreenhousegasemissions– and this is expected to grow if we don't act now.Tourism is also a highly fragmented sector. 80% of businesses in tourism are small and medium sized enterprises who rely on guidance and support from sector leadership. The sectormustbe part of the solution.

"Saudi Arabia,following the vision and leadership of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince,is answering this vital callbyworking with partners - that prioritize tourism,SMEs and climate - to create a multi-country,multi-stakeholder coalition,that will lead,accelerate,and track the tourism industry's transition to net zero emissions.

"By working together and delivering a strong joint platform,thetourism sector will have the support it needs. The STGCwill facilitate growth whilemaking tourismbetter for the climate,nature,and communities."

HE Gloria Guevara,Chief Special Advisor to the Minister of Tourism said:"For years and years,multiple players across the tourism sector have been working on different initiatives to accelerate the race to zero – but we have been working in silos. The impact of the global pandemic on the tourism sector highlighted the vital importance of multi-country,multi-stakeholder collaboration. And now,Saudi Arabia is stepping up to bring stakeholders together to make tourism part of the solution to climate change."

Infographic - http://cusmail.com/res/2023/07-22/17/f03f0900edf50b64a4e0ba264461d071.jpg