Why recovery needs to work for people and planet

I had the pleasure of speaking at the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Tourism Recovery Summit last month. It celebrated the official opening of its first Regional Office in Riyadh, and was a milestone moment for the region and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 After what has been one of the toughest periods in history for the tourism sector, the Summit brought together a select group of leaders, policy makers and organizations to address one important question: what can we do to respond to these global challenges?

 As we move forward and focus on recovery following the pandemic, the entire industry has an opportunity to work out how responsible tourism can improve communities and drive economies while preserving the environment and respecting local cultures. It’s something I am extremely passionate about and so when asked to address an audience on this topic, I was honored to do so.

 The Red Sea Project and AMAALA are two of the flagship Vision 2030 projects, delivering Saudi Arabia’s ambition for a diversified economy, and creating a new tourism industry. As the CEO of these two projects, how we as an industry respond to global challenges is a subject that is very close to my heart.

 I know that when I read the UNTWO’s definition of sustainable tourism it would have sounded very familiar to many in the room:

 Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.

 While I do not disagree with that statement, I think we can do better than “maintaining” and “conserving”. I believe we should give back to the environment; we should enhance biodiversity and encourage the flourishing of habitats and wildlife. The industry can and should go further by aiming for regenerative tourism.

 Regenerative tourism is the goal of restoring ecosystems, and along with it generating economic development and improving livelihoods for the long term.

 So, why should the tourism sector care?

 1. Because pre-pandemic, the sector contributed more than five per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Unless we act, by 2030 our emissions will have grown 25 per cent compared with 2016.

 2. Traveller expectations are changing. The 2020s will be a transformative decade, with the impact of COVID-19, technological advancements and the rise of sustainable tourism shifting what people want when they travel.

 More than half (53 per cent) of global holidaymakers already say they want to travel more sustainably – and this demand will only grow.

 3. The reason the tourism sector needs to stand up on this issue, is because it is the right thing to do.

 Every decision we take at The Red Sea Project and AMAALA is grounded in sustainability and enhancing the environment. From choosing innovative construction methods and materials to implementing smart destination technology, everything we do is in the service of our commitment to deliver a 30 per cent net conservation benefit by 2040.

 We are also focused on how we can shape a positive future for the people of Saudi Arabia, by growing the economy and creating lasting jobs. I’m proud to say over 50 per cent of our employees are Saudi. This is more than double the national average. Eventually The Red Sea Project and AMAALA will employ around 60,000 people directly, as well as create a further 60,000 induced and indirect jobs.

 Happily, I can report that over 70 per cent of the total combined value of contracts awarded to date, on both the Red Sea and AMAALA projects, have been awarded to Saudi companies.

 I believe that The Red Sea Project is the most ambitious regenerative tourism project in the world today and it brings me great pleasure to share our journey at events like the Tourism Recovery Summit. By exchanging ideas with others, we can all take one step closer to recovery, bringing benefits for both people and planet.