At the Monaco Blue Economy and Finance Forum, a special event of the Third  United Nations Ocean Conference, leaders from across the tourism industry came together to launch the Ocean Tourism Pact, a collective pledge and a working method to build a sustainable coastal and marine tourism (“blue tourism”).  

Tourism has become a cornerstone of our global society, offering millions of people the opportunity to explore new horizons, landscapes, and cultures. It plays a vital role in fostering social exchange, preserving natural and cultural heritage, and driving economic development. The coastal and maritime tourism sector alone generates an estimated $1.5 trillion annually and supports 52 million jobs worldwide. Coastal and maritime destinations attract hundreds of millions of visitors each year, contributing significantly to local economies and livelihoods. 

A major step for sustainable blue tourism was taken with the launch of the Ocean Tourism Pact at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco. The initiative was facilitated by our project leader IDDRI, the French government and the Ocean & Climate Platform, with the support of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), under the One Planet Network’s Sustainable Tourism Program.

The Ocean Tourism Pact aims to grow its coalition in the coming months by bringing together new stakeholders dedicated to protecting marine and coastal ecosystems and shaping a sustainable future for blue tourism.

Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/es97mvju