The Rio+20 Outcome Document “The Future We Want” (UN 2012) highlights the role of sustainable tourism
in the transition to a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Paragraphs 130 and 131 set out the political commitment to sustainable tourism:
130. We emphasize that well-designed and managed tourism can make a significant
contribution to the three dimensions of sustainable development, has close linkages to other
sectors and can create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities. We recognize the need
to support sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity building that promote environmental
awareness, conserve and protect the environment, respect wildlife, flora, biodiversity, ecosystems
and cultural diversity, and improve the welfare and livelihoods of local communities by supporting
their local economies and the human and natural environment as a whole. We call for enhanced
support for sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity-building in developing countries
in order to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
131. We encourage the promotion of investment in sustainable tourism, including ecotourism and
cultural tourism, which may include creating small and medium-sized enterprises and facilitating
access to finance, including through microcredit initiatives for the poor, indigenous peoples
and local communities in areas with high ecotourism potential. In this regard, we underline the
importance of establishing, where necessary, appropriate guidelines and regulations, in
accordance with national priorities and legislation, for promoting and supporting sustainable
tourism.” [emphasis added]