Pololikashvili Addresses G20 Tourism Ministers On Inclusion, Sustainability And Investment

At the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commended the South African Presidency’s focus on inclusion and sustainability. “More than a motto, the theme for South Africa’s G20 Presidency “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, reminds us that Equality and Sustainability can only be achieved through targeted policies, unified efforts and mutual support among countries – a recognition that in an interconnected world, the challenges faced by one country can have ripple effects globally,” he said.

• Enhancing travel and tourism startups and MSMEs through digital innovations
• Tourism financing and investment to enhance equality and sustainable development
• Air connectivity for seamless travel
• Enhanced resilience for inclusive, sustainable tourism development

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According to the latest World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals grew by 5% in the first half of 2025. Against this backdrop, Pololikashvili underlined the importance of digital transformation, financing for development, investment and resilient ecosystems, stressing that “there will be no resilience without sustainability.”

He called for greater support for innovation, noting that emerging technologies can transform tourism MSMEs, which form the backbone of the sector. However, he cautioned that such transformation requires adequate financing and programmes to close the digital divide and promote inclusion.

On financing for development, Pololikashvili highlighted the critical role of tourism for many developing economies. “For many developing countries, including Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, tourism is a major source of employment, foreign exchange and tax revenues. Yet, the sector continues to be overlooked as a tool for development, with the total Official Development Assistance disbursements for tourism remaining below 0.11% of total ODA.”

In closing, he pointed to the significance of South Africa’s G20 Presidency as evidence of Africa’s leadership in the global agenda. He recalled that the continent is home to 19% of the world’s population, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30. “The opportunities the continent offers in tourism are many,” he said, adding that “unlocking tourism investment and development for jobs and inclusion is a core priority of the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa.”

UN Tourism participated as Knowledge Partner of the South African G20 Presidency. The G20 economies collectively account for around 70% of all international tourist arrivals and exports worldwide, and 83% of tourism’s global GDP. The sector represented 3.1% of G20 GDP in 2023, 5% of exports, and 23% of service exports in 2024.

The article Pololikashvili addresses G20 Tourism Ministers on inclusion, sustainability and investment first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.