Travel & Tourism boom accompanied by striking decrease in water usage

Monday, December 4, 2023

WTTC Unveils Groundbreaking ‘Water Roadmap for Travel & Tourism’ Report: Global Water Intensity Drops Amid Sector Growth. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched a revolutionary report today, revealing a continuous decline in the water intensity of the global Travel & Tourism sector as it experiences rapid growth. Despite contributing significantly to the global economy, accounting for one in 10 jobs and 10.4% of global GDP in 2019, the sector’s water usage remained between 3.5% and 5.8% of global available freshwater in 2021 and 2019, respectively.

Although Travel & Tourism’s water usage is lower than other sectors like agriculture, the report underscores the need for sustained efforts to address growing water scarcity, a critical challenge for sustainable development. The report advocates for collaborative actions and the implementation of sustainable water practices worldwide.

WTTC collaborated with Accenture and Oxford Economics for data analysis and best practices, creating a framework to help the sector set water targets, reduce water footprint, and enhance water resilience. The data resulted from a partnership between WTTC and the Sustainable Tourism Global Center in Saudi Arabia.

The report reveals that from 2010 to 2019, Asia Pacific, the Americas, and the Middle East witnessed increased water usage in Travel & Tourism alongside significant growth in international arrivals. Europe and Africa, on the other hand, experienced a 1% decline in water use despite yearly increases in international arrivals.

The report introduces the Water Management Action Framework, emphasizing the importance of tailored solutions, with four key steps to reduce water footprint and build resilience across supply chains.

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson highlighted the unique position of Travel & Tourism to drive collective action for sustainable water practices. Accenture’s Global Travel and Aviation Sustainability Lead, Jesko-Philipp Neuenburg, emphasized the transformative power of data and technology to inform decision-making and drive water reduction and resilience action plans.

As climate change amplifies risks, the report underscores the vital role of digital technologies in tackling complexity and introduces a call for collective action to safeguard water ecosystems. The Water Management Action Framework provides a roadmap for stakeholders to navigate risks, set science-based targets, secure appropriate funding, and collaborate for a resilient future.”

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