INTHEBLACK May 2025 - Magazine - Page 48
ECO-TOURISM IS ON THE MONEY
Sustainable tourism is no longer just about safeguarding the environment. It is
a significant financial driver for tourism operators.
The annual global eco-tourism market,
valued at about US$248.17 billion in
2024 and projected to grow to
US$945.34 billion by 2034, is thriving
on the back of climate-conscious
tourists who are seeking sustainable
travel options.
Global Sustainable Tourism Council
CEO Randy Durband says more can
be done in the Asia-Pacific region and
elsewhere to speed up the sustainability
transition. He cites more renewable
energy use in hotels and resorts;
greater rollout of EV or hybrid vehicles
by rental companies and tourism
operators; superior waste-management
48 INTHEBLACK May 2025
approaches; and more sustainable
use of air-conditioning.
The wider rollout of universal
EV charging stations will be especially
crucial to deliver sustainability gains
in the transport sector. “We can move
much more aggressively on clean
energy vehicles and hydrogen,” Durband
says. “Those prices are coming down.”
His final plea is for governments
to introduce stricter regulations to
fast-track clean energy options within
the sector. “It’s unreasonable to say, ‘Do it
tomorrow’, but it’s totally reasonable
to say, ‘This is going to be required five
years from now, so get going’.”
