Tourism and air transport vital for livelihoods and green jobs: UN Tourism CEO

Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of the UN World Tourism Organization, highlighted the critical role of air transport in supporting livelihoods, especially in developing countries and small island states, during her remarks at COP29 Presidency Press Conference.

Responding to Azernews on how tourism-dependent countries can balance economic growth with reducing emissions in transport and hospitality, Urosevic, emphasized the importance of air transport and sustainability at COP29.

“I just want to add that while air transport is absolutely necessary for developing countries because tourism is really a wealth to societies and economies, when we speak about small island states, for example, or this developing country, it is really a sector that is enabling livelihoods to flourish,” she said.

Urosevic highlighted the interconnected nature of tourism and emissions:
“Our latest science-based research study says on emissions, it's that we have a lot of land transport. I just mentioned earlier, we have 1.3 billion international tourists, and this 1.3 billion represents the sector as an export category in trade. In 2019, we were third export category, we are now fifth, after fuel and chemicals.”

She stressed the role of circular models in hospitality:
“Our push is definitely to look and adapt when it comes to energy uptake and change over time, but as well looking at a circular model which will not only enable, I can say, a more effective and less emitting consumption for food, for example, but as well bringing additional livelihood and job to the youth. Additional to that, I think it's going to be really an opportunity to create green jobs.”

Urosevic underscored collaboration within the UN system, particularly with the International Civil Aviation Organization and UNEP, as crucial to achieving sustainable growth in tourism.