// EQUALITY: TOURISM, TRAVEL AND CULTURE
Solidarity, equality, sustainability: Reimagining tourism for a resilient global future
T he theme of South Africa’s G20 presidency – ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’ – is a call for collective action in a world where interconnected crises demand unified responses. Tourism stands as a powerful force for economic growth, cultural exchange and sustainable development. That is especially true in the G20 economies, responsible for 70% of all global tourist arrivals. Yet, as the world grapples with climate change, inequality, technological disruption and geopolitical instability, tourism must evolve to meet these challenges. The G20 tourism ministers’ discussions, held in September in the heart of Africa, offered a pivotal moment to reimagine tourism as a driver of resilience, equity and sustainability. THE RESILIENCE IMPERATIVE The Covid-19 pandemic exposed tourism’s vulnerability. International tourist arrivals plummeted, and recovery has been uneven. By 2024, global arrivals reached 1.5 billion, matching 2019 levels, and tourism exports hit a record $2 trillion, surpassing pre-pandemic values despite inflation. Yet these numbers mask persistent challenges. Tourism drives growth, connection and opportunity, but in a world facing climate disruption, inequality and economic uncertainty, it must evolve to become a catalyst for resilience, inclusion and sustainability Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary general, UN Tourism
76 // G20 SOUTH AFRICA: THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2025
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