Blue Tourism: Advancing Sustainable and Resilient Ocean Economies for People and Planet
Tourism is the largest ocean-based sector, accounting for 33% of the blue economy. In SIDS, tourism exports contribute 30-85% of the total GDP, nearly three times the global average. Coastal and maritime tourism play a vital role in generating jobs and investment. Alongside these benefits come challenges such as leakages, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource depletion.
A resilient blue economy must decouple growth from environmental pressures, benefitting both people and nature. The event will explore how circular approaches and climate action can transform ocean tourism and enhance resilience, by addressing pollution, reducing emissions and investing in the protection of carbon sinks. Ministers, policy makers and business leaders will share strategies and solutions.
The discussion will contribute to advancing sustainable ocean-based economies, sustainable maritime transport and coastal community resilience leaving no one behind.
The event is organized by the Sustainable Tourism Programme of the One Planet network, led by the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), driving sustainability in tourism.
Programme: Blue Tourism: Advancing Sustainable and Resilient Ocean Economies for People and Planet
Side event at the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) Monday, 9 June 2025 – Room 5 - 12:15hrs-13:30hrs (CEST) | |
| Opening |
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| Welcome remarks |
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| Inspirational address |
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| Keynote presentation | Launch of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative Progress Report 2024, Mr. Jorge Laguna-Celis, UNEP |
| Panel discussion | Moderator: Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director, UN Tourism
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