Implementing SDGs for Sustainable Tourism Development

Abstract

Tourism plays a key role in development and in the economy redistribution, but also generates negative effects. Its impact concerns environmental pollution, increased demand for fossil fuels and energy intensity (Katircioglu, 2014). In the year 2015 there was a strategic turning point for global development and tourism, as governments of many countries have adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their national development policies. The SDGs correspond to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. This research provides some indicators connected with the assessment of the sustainability of the tourism sector in some targets of 8 and 12 SDGs. This study aims to identify effects and opportunities for tourism industry on the economy at global level starting from an analysis in terms implementation of some sustainability tools in tourism industry at country level. Thus, we covered a structured methodological path that consists of an overview of the implementation of the measurement standards, particularly referring Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA) and System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). This assessment, based on international standards, ensures the international comparability of values between countries and time periods. The results show that the tourism industry is receiving particular attention from countries, but there is a need for greater awareness at local level in the communication of the instruments implemented and the levels of sustainability achieved. This framework aims to become a structured instrument for private and public stakeholder who analyze tourism according to the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, social and environmental).