Travel & Tourism is strong and growing sector, representing 10% of GDP to the global economy. With growth comes responsibility and responsibility to build resilient growth requires collective action. Across the world, Travel & Tourism companies have been integrating sustainable practices into their operations for years and there are a number of industry initiatives on specific sustainability issues.

On behalf of the Travel & Tourism sector as a whole, however, WTTC identified a need to strengthen its sustainability positioning. With Members covering all industries within the Travel & Tourism sector, a first step in this was for WTTC to set out to find the core issues common to all companies and to determine where it could make the biggest collective contribution to sustainable development

This report sets out the rationale and the findings of this research project. Working with sustainability consultancy SalterBaxter, WTTC conducted desk research, surveys of senior leaders in Member companies, interviews with key global experts and workshops to industry leaders. The issues that emerged as most relevant/impactful were further assessed through the lenses of being long-term, strategic, influential and cross-sector. The core ‘critical issues’ of climate change, destination degradation and disruption will help guide future action, research and advocacy for WTTC.