Indigenous tourism to add $67 bn to global economy by 2034

 By 2034, Indigenous tourism could contribute US$ 67 billion to the global economy, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) report ‘Supporting Global Indigenous Tourism.’ The WTTC report underscores the economic, cultural, and community benefits associated with this sector.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects that Indigenous tourism will contribute US$ 67 billion to the global economy by 2034. This was highlighted in the report Supporting Global Indigenous Tourism, presented at the 24th WTTC Global Summit in Perth, Australia. 

The report emphasizes Indigenous tourism’s vital role in driving economic growth, particularly in remote areas, while preserving cultural heritage, languages, and traditional practices, as well as empowering local communities. 

WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson, speaking at the summit noted, “Indigenous tourism is not only about showcasing rich cultural traditions; it is about empowering communities, creating sustainable jobs, and ensuring that Indigenous people are in control of their own stories and economic futures.”

During the summit, WTTC launched Together in Travel, an initiative designed to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the global travel sector with resources and support to accelerate their business growth. The platform aims to give SMEs a stronger global voice and access to essential tools for success.

In a separate report, the WTTC revealed that business travel is set to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2024, reaching US$ 1.5 trillion, quicker than previously anticipated. The rise of remote work during the pandemic significantly impacted corporate travel, but the sector is now experiencing a strong recovery. Travel intelligence firm ForwardKeys, a WTTC partner, reported that global tourism is surging back, with international arrivals expected to grow by 16% in 2024, primarily driven by the reopening of the Asia Pacific region.

The summit also spotlighted innovation, with Nguyen Thao Van from Vin University, Vietnam, winning the inaugural Investors’ Nest competition for forward-thinking hospitality solutions. In addition, the latest WTTC Environmental and Social Research, developed with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, noted that travel-related emissions fell to 6.7% of global emissions in 2023, down from 7.8% in 2019, as the sector’s economic growth continues to outpace its environmental impact.

The WTTC also announced that the 25th Global Summit will take place in Rome next year.