Tourism Takes Action On Plastic Waste, Pollution

TOreduce waste and pollution, as well as enable the shift towards a circular economy of plastics, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative ( GTPI) is welcoming 32 new signatories, with every global region represented behind the shared goal. GTPI unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution.

These signatories are organisations from stages of the tourism value chain, including accommodation providers, tour operators, online platforms, suppliers, waste managers, and supporting organisations.

The signatories are TUI Group, Palladium Hotel Group, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Hostelling International, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Visit Valencia, among others.

Manager for Sustainability, Circular Economy and Sustainable Development at TUI Group, Andreas Vermöhlen said: “Together, we can make important steps towards less and unnecessary single- use of plastic in the world, and shift towards a circular economy.”

To mark the confirmation of the new signatories, UNWTO and the United Nations Environment Programme, in collaboration with the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, held a special panel discussion with the theme Eliminate, Innovate, Circulate Strategies from the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative. Participants included Accor Group, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Palladium Hotel Group, Chumbe Island Coral Park and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

UNWTO Secretary- General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Addressing plastic pollution is essential to sustainably restart tourism, preserve destinations and contribute to climate action. We are proud to see the number of signatories growing continuously since the launch of the initiative.”

Also, a keynote presentation on “A Life Cycle Approach - key messages for tourism businesses” further highlighted the aims of the GTPI, with a special focus on innovation and the importance of context- based approaches to ensure plastics are circulated back into the economy rather than thrown away after use.