With 2027 designated as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism by the United Nations, the global tourism sector is entering a new phase that requires action, not just ambition. The launch of UN Tourism’s Road Map marks a shift from dialogue to practical implementation, providing a clear pathway with priorities, governance, and timelines to prepare for this milestone. It offers a pragmatic framework to help countries, regions, and stakeholders align their tourism strategies with broader global goals, especially those concerning climate action, resilience, and sustainable development beyond 2030.

The initiative views tourism as more than just an economic sector; it sees it as a transformative force capable of advancing environmental protection, social inclusion, and community wellbeing. The Road Map stresses that sustainability and resilience are ongoing processes that demand long-term commitment, coordination, and adaptation.

A major strength of the Road Map is its governance model, rooted in the Committee on Tourism and Sustainability, supported by a Steering Committee of Member States, and informed through regional consultations. This multi-layered approach ensures global coordination while remaining sensitive to regional and national priorities.

The Road Map reflects a highly collaborative effort, created with input from Member States and endorsed at the top levels of UN Tourism. This shared ownership underscores a collective commitment to building a more resilient future for tourism, crucial given the sector’s interconnected, cross-border nature. For Europe, this initiative is especially significant. As destinations face challenges such as climate transition, overtourism, and changing visitor expectations, the 2027 framework offers a timely opportunity to align regional strategies with global priorities. It supports ongoing EU efforts to promote smarter, greener, and more inclusive tourism while providing an international platform to showcase progress and innovation. 

Besides policy alignment, the Road Map is also a call to action. It urges destinations and stakeholders to adopt more integrated planning, embedding tourism into broader territorial, environmental, and social strategies. This involves enhancing data-driven decision-making, supporting local communities, and ensuring tourism development benefits both people and places. Ultimately, the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027 is not just a symbolic celebration. It is a strategic milestone aimed at accelerating real change across the global tourism ecosystem. 

The Road Map ensures that this moment is well-prepared, coordinated, and impactful. For destinations, organisations, and policymakers, the message is clear: the time to act is now. 2027 is not the starting point—it is the horizon toward which concrete steps must already be taken.

More information:
https://www.untourism.int/news/un-tourism-launches-road-map-towards-the-international-year-of-sustainable-and-resilient-tourism-2027