US$65 billion needed to protect coastal & marine tourism from climate crisis: WTTC report

Addressing world leaders during Ocean Action Day at COP29 in Baku on Thursday (Nov. 21), the World Travel & Tourism Council said that coastal and marine tourism will require annual investments of $30 billion for direct emissions reduction, with total needs reaching as high as $65 billion when including climate adaptation efforts.

The findings are part of a soon-to-be-released report developed in collaboration with Iberostar Group and Oxford Economics.

Called Climate and Ocean: Quantifying Coastal and Marine Tourism and Protecting Destinations, it underscores the dual need for climate action and resilience-building.

In 2023, coastal and marine tourism directly generated US$1.5 trillion and supported 52 million jobs globally. It also accounted for approximately 50 per cent of all tourists’ spending globally, generating $820 billion in direct tax revenue.

“Coastal and marine tourism is a lifeline for millions globally, generating US$1.5 trillion to the world’s economy,” said Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC. “But it’s on the frontline of climate change.

“We cannot see what we cannot track. Protecting our coast and marine life isn’t just an environmental necessity; it’s a moral imperative. And we now know that reducing the environmental impact of coastal and marine tourism could cost US$ 65 billion every year.

“We are calling on governments, development organisations, and travel and tourism businesses to act now to safeguard these vital natural resources.”

Despite its economic importance, the WTTC says the environmental footprint from coastal and marine tourism calls for rapid mitigation and adaptation measures.

Its report highlights that coastal and marine tourism directly contributed 0.8 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, the equivalent of 390 million tonnes of CO₂.

Coastal destinations worldwide, especially those in vulnerable regions, face mounting threats from climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather and coastal erosion.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Pacific coastal areas are, in particular, under severe strain, with rising climate-related displacement and economic losses posing urgent challenges.

WTTC reiterates that this makes it clear that investments in climate action are not just essential but urgent.

“It is never too late to act,” said Gloria Fluxa, vice-chairman and chief sustainability officer for Iberostar Group and chair of WTTC’s Sustainability Committee. “To safeguard our industry, its people and the ecosystems we rely on, we must focus on mitigating our operations, transforming supply chains, and investing in nature with nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. Decarbonization and adaptation are essential investments to building a resilient, nature-positive tourism model.”

The report also highlights climate solutions that are proving to have a positive impact, such as Visit Scotland’s heavy investment in renewable energy and low-carbon infrastructure to cut emissions, and Thailand’s Mangrove Action Project in Nai Nang, which shows how mangrove restoration can protect coastlines and build resilience.

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