WTTC & UNEP Set A Bold Course For Sustainable Tourism Leadership

WTTC & UNEP Strengthen Global Action For Tourism’s Green Transition

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have entered a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a strategic partnership that marks a significant milestone in advancing the global Travel & Tourism sector towards a more sustainable, circular, and resilient future. By combining UNEP’s internationally recognised environmental expertise with WTTC’s extensive network of leading travel and tourism businesses, the collaboration seeks to transform sustainability ambitions into tangible industry action. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that tourism growth not only drives economic prosperity but also safeguards the planet’s natural resources and strengthens the resilience of destinations worldwide.

At the heart of the agreement lies a comprehensive roadmap focused on accelerating environmental stewardship across the tourism ecosystem. The collaboration will champion regenerative tourism models, circular economy solutions, biodiversity conservation, sustainable food systems, plastic pollution reduction, water stewardship, and responsible resource management. Through voluntary participation in UNEP’s flagship sustainability programmes, WTTC Members will gain access to globally recognised frameworks, technical guidance, and implementation tools that empower businesses to measure, strengthen, and scale their environmental performance. WTTC President & CEO, Ms. Gloria Guevara, underscored the significance of the partnership, noting that Travel & Tourism remains one of the world’s most powerful drivers of sustainable development and that this collaboration will help businesses accelerate environmental action, reduce waste, protect biodiversity, and create lasting positive impacts for destinations and communities around the world.

Beyond operational improvements, the partnership positions both organisations as influential voices in shaping the future of global tourism policy. WTTC and UNEP will work collaboratively to advance international advocacy, develop policy recommendations, and encourage the adoption of internationally recognised best practices that foster industry-wide environmental responsibility. Supported by a structured governance framework featuring joint work plans, technical working groups, annual strategic reviews, and priority sustainability projects, the alliance establishes a clear pathway for continuous collaboration, innovation, and accountability. The agreement will also enhance joint participation in global forums, sustainability conferences, and knowledge-sharing platforms, strengthening engagement between the United Nations system and the global private sector while amplifying the industry’s collective sustainability agenda.

The partnership, which will remain in force through June 2028, reinforces a bold vision of a tourism industry where economic growth and environmental stewardship advance together. As international travel continues to expand, WTTC and UNEP are championing a future where tourism becomes a catalyst for ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and community prosperity rather than environmental degradation. Guided by the leadership of WTTC President & CEO Ms. Gloria Guevara and UNEP’s environmental expertise, this landmark collaboration represents more than a strategic agreement—it is a global call to action for governments, destinations, tourism businesses, and industry leaders to embrace innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth, ensuring that Travel & Tourism continues to thrive while protecting the planet for generations to come.

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