Tourism unites for the ocean
The Ocean Tourism Pact came about to address this threat. A collective pledge to make coastal and marine tourism sustainable, it seeks to persuade governments and civil society, and mobilises public-private partnerships to spread best practice.
One of the organisations behind the Pact is the Ocean & Climate Platform (OCP): a network of over 115 members, bringing together research institutes, NGOs, aquariums, private sector, local authorities and international agencies all united behind a common mission – “a healthy ocean, a protected climate.”
That Mission captures what Loreley Picourt, the Executive Director of the OCP, describes as the ocean’s role as the “planet’s thermostat”. The ocean regulates the world’s climate and combats global warming; it has absorbed almost 30% of human-induced CO₂ emissions since 1750. It is also the world’s largest net supplier of oxygen. Without a healthy ocean, we cannot hope to achieve our global net zero and sustainability goals.
In spite of this, ocean governance remains fragmented; caught between climate, biodiversity and fisheries, among others. There’s no single UN convention for the ocean. It is, Loreley says, the “underdog” of climate policy.
A breakthrough for ocean conservation
This is where the Ocean Breakthroughs comes in: advocating for a more integrated approach to ocean governance, one that brings together the latest scientific evidence on marine conservation, offshore renewables and coastal and port adaptation. It also promotes decarbonising shipping and resilient aquatic food systems.
So why is the OCP forging links with the Travel & Tourism sector? As Loreley explains, the coastal tourism sector is a critical partner in delivering the OCP’s “healthy ocean” mission. Not only do coastal and beach resorts have an interest in protecting marine life and ecosystems as integral to their tourism offer, they are also placed exactly where action needs to be taken. Their activities have an important impact on the health of reefs, beaches and water quality.
So important, in fact, that one of the Ocean Breakthroughs five targets (or “Breakthroughs”) – alongside high-profile issues such as offshore wind energy and marine conservation – is dedicated to coastal tourism.
Coastal Tourism Breakthrough
By 2030, the organisation wants to make sure $30 billion per year is invested in halving the emissions of coastal tourism. It also wants 50% of coastal destinations to have sustainable management plans by the same date.
Loreley asserts that Breakthroughs require coalitions of “first movers” – like WTTC, who alongside members, such as Iberostar, worked with the Ocean & Climate Platform early on to ensure these targets were based on costed, real-world assessments. She is upbeat about the Travel & Tourism sector meeting the sustainability challenge. This is not a case of requiring “new billions”, she says, but rather helping resorts and hotels redirect current funds to promote sustainable practices.
It is here that the interests of tourism providers, local communities and environmental campaigners happily align. Healthy reefs and marine life help counter climate change, improve the visitor experience and secure local livelihoods. The shift from mass tourism to “authenticity”, with guests expecting destinations and businesses to engage in community and environmental stewardship, further reinforces this.
The sector’s opportunity
Coastal tourism providers now have an important opportunity: working with organisations like the OCP not only to pioneer new “ocean solutions”, but also to shape policy by demonstrating the business case for environmental regulation to governments worldwide. Travel & Tourism has long known that what’s good for the environment is good for business – now it’s time to spread the word.
WTTC related research: Coastal & Marine Tourism: Quantifying its footprint and funding requirements for mitigation and adaptation
