Tourism Rises to the Ocean Challenge at UNOC3: A Unified Call for a Blue Transformation
Blue Tourism at the Heart of Ocean Action
The momentum was driven by the high-level side event “Blue Tourism: Advancing Sustainable and Resilient Ocean Economies for People and Planet,” convened by UN Tourism and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) under the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme. The session brought together ministers, multilateral institutions, private sector leaders, and civil society to discuss how circular approaches, climate action and regenerative investment can transform tourism’s relationship with the ocean – in line with the strategic pathways of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of UN Tourism, said: “Tourism accounts for 33% of the blue economy, ahead of maritime transport at 22% and fisheries at just 5%. This gives us not only influence - but responsibility. Our shared goal is to decouple tourism growth from environmental harm towards a regenerative model - placing science at the core - and ensure the communities who depend on healthy oceans are not left behind.”
Speakers included Ambassador Peter Thomson, Ministers of Tourism, Environment and Transport from the governments of Costa Rica, France, and Uzbekistan, UNCDF, the World Bank, International Trade Centre, IDDRI, and global hospitality leader Accor. Access the programme here
The event also marked the official launch of the 2024 Annual Report of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI), one of the flagship initiatives of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, reinforcing efforts to reduce pollution at the source and promote circular solutions across tourism value chains. Access the report here
Jorge Laguna-Celis, Head of the One Planet Network at UNEP, said: “While tourism plays a vital role in many coastal economies, it is also a major contributor to plastic pollution - a pressing environmental challenge that threatens the health of fragile marine ecosystems. This report highlights the ongoing efforts made by our signatories in tackling problematic plastics in the sector and thus contributing to the resilience of coastal tourism economies”.
One Ocean Finance Facility: A Platform for Equitable and Impactful Investment
UN Tourism also joined the multi-agency co-design process of the One Ocean Finance Facility, a bold new effort to redirect capital from ocean-dependent industries—including tourism—into sustainable blue economy solutions.
The facility, spearheaded by UNCDF, UNEP, and UNDP, aims to unlock blended and innovative financing for ocean health, climate-smart innovation, and community resilience, particularly in SIDS and LDCs. The Call for Engagement sets the stage for the facility’s operational debut at UNOC4 in 2028. Member States, private sector, financial institutions and civil society are invited to take part in shaping this global finance mechanism.
Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Executive Secretary of UN Capital Development Fund, said: “Today’s ocean finance remains too fragmented, too inequitable, and too slow to meet the urgency of the moment. Through the One Ocean Finance co-design process, we are building a global platform tailored to the needs of coastal and island nations—deploying catalytic capital, unlocking private and concessional investment, and aligning industry transformation with community resilience and ocean health.”
Launch of the Ocean Tourism Pact
Also at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, the Ocean Tourism Pact was launched marking a milestone in global cooperation for ocean-positive tourism. Facilitated by the French Government, IDDRI, and the Ocean & Climate Platform and supported by UN Tourism and UNEP under the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, the Pact aims to establish a Coastal and Maritime Tourism Working Group, as well as to accelerate the implementation of tourism sector commitments, such as the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.
Steven Daines, Chief Global Affairs and Public Engagement Officer at Accor, says: “Climate change, pollution and biodiversity depletion are causing massive risks for the tourism sector which relies on the environment and nature that surround it. This is why the Ocean Tourism Pact aims at future-proofing the tourism industries and building economic resilience for the benefit of territories and populations that live from the tourism”
The Pact is backed by major tourism private sector coalitions including the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WSHA), and Travalyst, as well as a first group of pioneering companies such as Accor, Club Med, Iberostar, MSC Cruises, Ponant, and partners.
A Growing Movement Across the Sector
Tourism was also featured in multiple partner events, showcasing the breadth of momentum for transformation:
- Prince Albert II Foundation, FII Institute, Red Sea Global and Wave co-organized “Unlocking Innovation for Regenerative Tourism”, a workshop exploring blue tech solutions and financing models to scale regenerative tourism.
- IDDRI, in partnership with the Ocean & Climate Platform, organized “Shaping Blue Tourism: Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Pathways”, highlighting just transitions and local governance innovations under the Blue Tourism Initiative. Read more here
- WWF and Accor co-hosted “A Nature-Positive Future for Coastal Tourism”, focusing on credible frameworks and investment pathways to support resilient ecosystems and livelihoods.