At the Monaco Blue Economy and Finance Forum, a special event of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, leaders from across the tourism industry came together to launch the Ocean Tourism Pact, a collective pledge and a working method to build a sustainable coastal and marine tourism (“blue tourism”).

Tourism has become a cornerstone of our global society, offering millions of people the opportunity to explore new horizons, landscapes, and cultures. It plays a vital role in fostering social exchange, preserving natural and cultural heritage, and driving economic development. The coastal and maritime tourism sector alone generates an estimated $1.5 trillion annually and supports 52 million jobs worldwide. Coastal and maritime destinations attract hundreds of millions of visitors each year, contributing significantly to local economies and livelihoods.

Yet, as tourism flourishes, the ecosystems that make these destinations so attractive are increasingly under threat. Marine and coastal environments – among the most diverse and essential ecosystems on Earth – are being impacted by unsustainable practices, climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction. This is accelerating biodiversity loss and posing significant risks to the long-term viability of tourism itself. Over 80% of travel and tourism goods and services directly or indirectly depend on healthy natural ecosystems.

That is why the three major industry coalitions – World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and Travalyst – along with a first group of pioneering companies (Accor, Club Med, DHI Dorint Hospitality & Innovation GmbH, Iberostar Hotels and Resorts, Kaldewei, MCS, Merrion, ORASCOM hotel management, and Ponant) representing the full spectrum of the tourism sector – from booking platforms to maritime transport and hospitality providers – have joined forces through the Ocean Tourism Pact to:

  • Accelerate the setting and implementation of commitments aimed at driving the net zero and sustainable transition of the tourism sector, such as the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and the Global Tourism Plastic Initiative;

  • Mobilise public-private partnerships to strengthen the foundation for sustainable tourism;

  • Establish a Coastal and Maritime Tourism Working Group, uniting governments, destinations, industry, and civil society. This working group will serve as a collaborative platform to foster shared learning and innovation, coordinate inclusive policies, develop tools, guidelines and standards that promote resilient coastal tourism, and monitor progress.

Facilitated by the French Government, the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), and the Ocean & Climate Platform, and supported by UN Tourism and UNEP under the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, the Ocean Tourism Pact aims to grow its coalition in the coming months, welcoming new stakeholders dedicated to protecting ocean ecosystems and ensuring a sustainable future for blue tourism.

Alliance CEO, Glenn Mandziuk, said:

“It is critical for the tourism industry to be represented at the United Nations Ocean Conference and contribute to accelerate the sustainable transition of our sector. Tourism is a vital source of economic and social development, and it draws its vitality from nature and the environment which it operates in. Collaborating throughout the sector, with all key stakeholders, to anticipate the increasing risks and build resilience at destination level is instrumental to move the transition forward.”

WTTC President & CEO, Julia Simpson, said:

“Oceans are critical to the future of Travel & Tourism. Coastal communities, and millions of jobs around the world, rely on a healthy marine ecosystem, yet these areas are under increasing threat. The Ocean Tourism Pact represents a vital step forward, bringing our industry together to protect ocean and coastal destinations and commit to long-term sustainable tourism that benefits people, nature, and local economies.”

To explore the latest updates on the Ocean Tourism Pact, follow the Alliance on LinkedIn and X. For guidance on how your company can advance climate action and preservation of biodiversity, explore the Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality.