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Tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors in the world contributing 9 per cent to global GDP, accounting for one in 11 jobs worldwide and for 6 per cent of global exports, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported today as it launched a programme aiming to catalyze a shift to more sustainable tourism.

The travel and tourism industry needs to put sustainability at the forefront of everything it does and businesses need to lead by example - that's the message from David Scowsill, CEO & president of the World Travel & Tourism Council. Scowsill asked leading sustainable tourism businesses to play their part in ensuring that the industry's ethics are raised to the highest order.

At the World Travel & Tourism Council 2015 Global Summit in Madrid this week, the NGO Sustainable Travel International unveiled an industry-wide campaign entitled "10 Million Better," to monitor and scale up social and environmental benefits from travel and tourism

The travel and tourism industry needs to put sustainability at the forefront of everything it does and businesses need to lead by example - that's the message from David Scowsill, CEO & president of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The International Tourism Partnership launched the first ever industry-wide global commitment to sustainability, focused on four member company-led goals: carbon, water, youth employment, and human rights. International Tourism Partnership member companies include Hyatt Hotels, Marriott International, Wyndham Hotel Group, and more.

Recent studies have shown that climate change could affect the tourism sector. A lack of snowfall in California led to a decrease in business for local ski resorts and restaurants.

Sustainable Tourism is an incredible opportunity for nations to organize around for successful implementation of the SDG's.

Worldwide tourism accounted for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions from 2009 to 2013, new research finds, making the sector a bigger polluter than the construction industry.

National Geographic released its first Sustainable Tourism Impact Report, which details the social and environmental impact initiatives at properties across its "Unique Lodges of the World" collection. In less than two years, member lodges in National Geographic's collection have achieved the following: rehabilitated and protected over 3.7 million acres of land and sea; provided over $76 million in direct contributions to historic and cultural site preservation; diverted over 3 million pounds of waste from landfills around the world; and more.

But climate change is making it harder for resort owners and tour operators to make good on this promise. Climate change is having more of an impact on tourist destinations by eroding beaches and bleaching coral reefs. Mountain destinations are not immune either, as a warming climate melts glaciers and snow pack. The latest bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef has again brought to the forefront the growing impact of climate change on tourist destinations. According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, warmer than usual waters have caused bleaching (PDF) along much of the reef, and have killed nearly a quarter of its coral.

From Thailand to Bali, a huge increase in tourists, many from China and other rapidly developing economies, is straining sensitive ecosystems to the breaking point. Some countries are trying to control the boom, with a few closing popular destinations to allow damaged areas to heal.

Cape Town, the crown jewel of South Africa's tourism industry, has 100 days before it runs out of water.

Plastic waste causes $13 billion in annual financial damage to marine ecosystems, though the actual cost of plastic waste to the overall environment may be much higher, according to two reports released at a meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly. One report, the UN Environment Programme Year Book, notes that when plastic material fouls fishing equipment and pollutes beaches it threatens tourism, fisheries and businesses in addition to marine life.

Sixty percent of recreational travelers view themselves as "sustainable travelers," according to new research, with young and wealthy travelers especially likely to weigh environmental factors when planning trips. Still, almost two-thirds of eco-travelers say they're skeptical about brands' sustainability claims.

Tourists are increasingly being guided by sustainability when making travel decisions, according to a recent report. "They want to go to a place where they think companies are taking care of their business and the environment," says Barbra Anderson, founding partner of consulting firm Destination Better.

North Carolina's Proximity Hotel is the first US hotel to receive the Green Building Council's LEED Platinum status, due in part to elevators that generate power and other features that help the hotel use 40% less energy than comparable competitors. "The only ambition was, let's sincerely consider sustainable practices with each of our decisions," said Dennis Quaintance, CEO of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels.

Marriott International launched Serve 360, a sustainability and social impact platform designed to "guide the company's commitment and deliver positive results" across four priority areas: communities, responsible operations, workplace readiness and access to opportunity, and human rights. As part of Serve 360, the company announced new 2025 sustainability and social impact commitments including targets to reduce water use by 15%, carbon by 30%, waste by 45%, food waste by 50%, and more.

Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport has been recertified by Green Globe. The hotel is placing low-flow faucets in guest rooms this year and will eventually use energy-efficient LEDs in all public areas.