The Decalogue for entrepreneurial action within the tourism sector based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created by the Spanish Network of the Global Compact was presented this morning at Fitur by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel Oliver, and the executive director of the Spanish Network of the United Nations Global Compact, Cristina Sánchez.
Oliver noted that “In Spain, we have a strong tourism sector, but we need to redefine tourist policies and develop new tools to respond to the challenges tourism is facing.”
“As well as contributing to the modernisation of the production model and its adaptation to climate change, the new tourism policy must be aligned with these Sustainable Development Goals and committed to a sustainable tourism development model. If tourism isn’t sustainable, then there will be no tourism,” confirmed the Secretary of State for Tourism.
The Executive Director of the Spanish Network of the Global Compact said that “The decade we’re living in is the time to act. It is imperative to translate the commitments that tourism companies have traditionally been making into concrete, ambitious actions, such as those presented in this Decalogue. Now is the ideal time for its publication, and what better way to do this than together with Segittur, as a clear expression of the need for this sort of public-private alliance to achieve a greater impact”.
The Decalogue proposes actions linked to SDGs 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Among the actions proposed for tourism companies are guaranteeing equal pay and opportunities for women, consolidating quality, long-term employment offers, investments in innovation and digital transformation and the preservation of destinations, promoting culture and local products to make them more sustainable.
Moreover, it encourages companies to implement transparency, circular economy and environmental criteria. With regard to these criteria, Sánchez wished to emphasise that “The fight against climate change and the responsible management of our oceans and seas are two of the main priorities for this year, during which the United Nations Ocean Conference will also be held. The tourism sector has a huge impact on these areas, and therefore we must take responsibility and work together to face up to the challenges they involve.”
