7% of the global workforce is employed through the tourism sector

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Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world. Tourism ranks in the top five export categories for 80 percent of all national economies and serves as the primary source of foreign exchange for nearly 40 percent. Seven percent of the global workforce is employed, either directly or indirectly, by the tourism sector. Over the past decade, tourism development has become a prominent component of the economic development strategies for many developing countries. National tourism development plans include creating employment opportunities, stimulating linkages with other sectors of the economy, increasing government tax revenues, and boosting foreign investment and exchange earnings.

Given the magnitude of the tourism industry, it is critical to promote travel and tourism initiatives that conserve natural and cultural assets and which stimulate local economic growth. During the past decade, the concept of sustainable tourism has emerged as a means to promote national tourism development strategies while preserving local environments and culture. Third party sustainable tourism certification programs and awards allow consumers to differentiate between sustainable tourism and conventional tourism operators. In turn, tourism wholesalers view certification, codes of conduct, or award schemes as a way to ensure that inbound operators adhere to sustainable tourism standards. Through external conformity assessment to best practices operators can obtain a competitive advantage through improved access to buyers and enhanced market positioning with consumers.

Tourism topic editor: Matthew Edwardsen