The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 to provide a global framework for the whole world to align all our efforts together to work for a common, sustainable future.

The ambitious inter-governmental set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 associated targets are “people-centred, transformative, universal and integrated”, building on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),

The purpose of the SDGs is to end poverty and hunger, improve health and education, make cities more sustainable, combat climate change, protect the world and oceans from environmental degradation and foster prosperous, peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

Keeping the importance of tourism in mind, 2017 was designated as The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development (#IY2017) by the United Nations. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the specialized agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

Tourism, specifically mentioned in three SDGs (#8, #12, #14), actually has the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly, to all of the goals, in more ways than most industries. It’s one of the top GDP earners for countries, especially the Least Developed Countries of the world, it can reach into all corners of a country (not just in focused areas like extractive industries) and can offer great benefits to a country’s people at many levels.

At OneShoe, we focus on the following SDG when we conceptualise our events, design our itineraries, and decide on projects to focus our efforts on :

SDG 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full & productive employment & decent work.

Tourism is a driving force of global economic growth, currently providing 1 in 11 jobs worldwide. By giving access to decent work opportunities in tourism, society – particularly youth & women – can benefit from increased skills & professional development. Target 8.9 recognises tourism’s contribution to job creation “By 2030, devise & implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs & promotes local culture & products”.

SDG 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

A city/ village that is not good for its citizens is not good for tourists. Sustainable tourism has the potential to advance urban infrastructure and universal accessibility, promote regeneration of areas in decay and preserve cultural and natural heritage, assets on which tourism depends. Greater investment in green infrastructure (more efficient transport facilities, reduced air pollution, conservation of heritage sites and open spaces, etc.) should result in smarter and greener settlements from which both residents and tourists can benefit.

SDG 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Tourism contributes to and is affected by climate change. It is, therefore, in the sector’s own interest to play a leading role in the global response to climate change. By lowering energy consumption and shifting to renewable energy sources, especially in the transport and accommodation sector, tourism can help tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

SDG 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Coastal and maritime tourism, tourism’s biggest segments, particularly for Small Island Developing States’ (SIDS), rely on healthy marine ecosystems. Tourism development must be a part of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in order to help conserve and preserve fragile marine ecosystems and serve as a vehicle to promote a blue economy, in line with Target 14.7, “By 2030, increase the economic benefits to SIDs and LDCs from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture & tourism.

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