With a resolve for “Mainstreaming Sustainability in Tourism”, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) will be organising the 2nd edition of the “Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025” on 26 March 2025 at Hotel Le-Meridien, New Delhi. The initiative shall further strengthen India’s position as “global tourism and hospitality destination” besides fostering cooperation at national, bilateral, regional & sub-regional, multilateral and international levels.
With the spirit of collaboration, the Summit shall bring together various important stakeholders from the government, industry, diplomatic fraternity, international agencies, practitioners and media at one platform to ideate and make a forward-looking action plan for “tourism sustainability” at global scale. It is reckoning that tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing industries and an important source of foreign exchange and employment. As a sector, it also keeps a very significant bearing to the economies,especially so for developing countries and endowed with high tourism potential.
Noticeably, the sustainable tourism practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations, including mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments. Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability.
Very aptly, the World Tourism Organisation defines “sustainable tourism” as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target 8.9 sums up it: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.”
The importance of sustainable tourism is also highlighted in SDG target 12.b. which aims to “develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”. Tourism is also identified as one of the tools in SDGs target 14.7: “By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries.” It’s a well-discussed conclusion that the tourism and allied sectors have the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly to all SDGs. As the 17 SDGs and the corresponding 169 SDG targets offer the world a new direction,
tourism can and must play a significant role in delivering sustainable solutions for people, the planet, prosperity and peace. Tourism as an economic powerhouse is the third highest world category in export earnings, representing nearly 10% of world GDP, 30% of services exports and 1 out of every 10 jobs in the world. In particular, it has been included as targets in Goals 8, 12 and 14 on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP) and the sustainable use of natural resources, respectively.
The 2nd edition of the “Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025” will be a coveted platform for discussing the progressive ideas that will ultimately help the tourism and hospitality sector finding a new framework of sustainable practices and growth. Alongside the Summit attended by the leading policy practitoners and experts, an Expo will be held at the same venue to showcase innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and success stories besides creating the environment for promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange in tourism and hospitality sector.