UN Tourism Urges G20 to Prioritise Inclusion, Investment, and Sustainability in Tourism
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has called on G20 Tourism Ministers to step up collaboration and use tourism to drive socio-economic inclusion, sustainable development, and global unity. Speaking at the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting under South Africa’s 2025 Presidency, he praised the focus on “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” and emphasised the need for coordinated international action to unlock tourism’s full potential.
The meeting addressed key areas including support for tourism MSMEs via digital transformation, improved financing and investment, air connectivity, and resilience. Pololikashvili highlighted that current Official Development Assistance (ODA) to tourism remains under 0.11%, despite its critical role in many developing economies. Noting that international tourist arrivals rose 5% in H1 2025, he urged stronger investment in tourism to foster inclusion, especially in Africa, where the sector can generate youth employment and drive economic growth.
