Since 1980, World Tourism Day has been celebrated on September 27th each year to celebrate what eventually led to the creation of The UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization).
Where Should Tourism Go?
When we think about where we want tourism to go in the future, the CTA has lofty visions of a sustainable, responsible industry. As such, we have committed to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as part of our organization’s core missions.
What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
In total there are seventeen! They include:
- 1: No poverty. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
- 2: Zero Hunger. End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
- 3: Good Health & Well Being. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
- 4: Quality Education. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
- 5: Gender Equality. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
- 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
- 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
- 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- 10: Reduce Inequalities. Reduce inequality within and among countries
- 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
- 12: Responsible Consumption & Production. Ensure sustainable consumption and reduction patterns
- 13: Climate Action. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- 14: Life Below Water. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
- 15: Life on Land. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
- 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
- 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
You can learn more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals on their website.
How are we working within the SDGs?
At Culinary Tourism Alliance we know we have a long way to go and a lot of work ahead of us to play our part in these goals coming to fruition. Here are some of the recent ways we’ve begun work towards the 17 SDGs:
- Host waste-free events that use biodegradable dishware and where carbon offsets are purchased for the travel of each guest and staff member to and from the event (SDG 12)
- Work with other industry professionals (SDG 17) to host talks on several SDG goals at each of our events including No Poverty (SDG1), Responsible Consumption (SDG 12) Life Below Water (SDG 14), Life on Land (SDG 15)
- We are living wage certified to ensure our staff can economically thrive (SDG 1, 8)
- Our first Great Taste of Ontario Campaign offered prizing to guests that visited 10 spots on an Ontario foodie passport. They could choose between a charcuterie board or putting their prize towards food security via two organizations, Second Harvest and Food Share. In total, the campaign raised $20,000 for food security (SDG 2)
- Partnered with other leading industry experts to offer webinars on a wide range of topics that help grow a responsible tourism industry that sources local. Ex. Make Local Sourcing Work for You in partnership with OTEC and Culinary Tourism 101 in partnership with Food Venture Program (SDG 12, 17)
- Establish and DEI Committee made up of board members, staff members and a membership base that focuses on the governance of our organization in an equitable way (SDG 10, 16)
There’s a Long Way to Go
In short, there is much to be done still. We look forward to reporting back on the new ways we’ve worked towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals next World Tourism Day. How can you have an impact in your community or when you travel?
