WTTC and UN Tourism's Revolutionary Push at COP16 in Colombia Secures a Biodiversity-Rich Future for Tourism

The Nature Positive Tourism Partnership (NPTP), a coalition formed by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the UN World Tourism Organization, and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, is making a compelling appeal at the UN Biodiversity Summit (COP16) in Cali, Colombia. The group, since its inception at COP15 in 2022, has committed to reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, striving for a future where travel and tourism harmonize with nature.

Launched with the mission to align tourism practices with environmental sustainability, the NPTP unites policymakers and key private sector stakeholders in travel, tourism, and hospitality. By doing so, it aims to inspire governments to partner strategically with the global tourism industry to achieve the ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) targets.

The partnership’s achievements were highlighted at a side panel during COP26, organized in collaboration with Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism. This event underscored the tourism sector’s contribution to biodiversity conservation through real-world initiatives and explored policies that integrate biodiversity efforts within tourism, underscoring the alignment with GBF goals.

As COP16 unfolds, the NPTP plans to reinforce its commitment during the final plenary session. This call will emphasize the importance of recognizing the tourism sector’s potential to advance GBF goals while advocating for expanded support to foster public-private partnerships that champion nature-positive policies.

Gloria Fluxà, Vice Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer of Iberostar and Chair of WTTC’s Sustainability Committee, will also lend her voice to this cause, urging global leaders to elevate the sector’s role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Through partnerships and innovation, the NPTP envisions a future where travel and tourism serve as vital allies in the fight to protect and restore our planet’s biodiversity.