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The world gathered to commemorate World Tourism Day on 27 September, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value.
This year, the theme was Tourism and Sustainable Transformation, encouraging travellers to be mindful and purposeful with their travel practices. This means eco-friendly accommodations, reducing waste and respecting local customs. With that, it is essential that we question how stakeholders can contribute to ethical transformation. And more specifically, what role technology plays in building a sustainable and resilient tourism industry.
What is the world tourism outlook in 2025?
In 2025, UN Tourism reported 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals. It is 99% of the 2019 benchmarks.
World Tourism Barometer
Travel and tourism made up 10% of the world’s economy in 2024, contributing to international and domestic spending and the job market.
World Tourism Barometer
In 2024, the sector supported 356.6 million jobs, accounting for 1 in 10 jobs.
Tourism Watch: June 2025 Edition, World Bank
The tourism industry can particularly benefit women and youth, with women accounting for 40% of its direct employment.
Tourism Watch: June 2025 Edition, World Bank
What is sustainable tourism?
This year’s theme is a clear indication of the growing need to rethink the sector in the context of global changes such as climate change, inequality, and digitalisation. To focus on sustainable tourism, then, is to combine many factors, from people-centric planning, education and skill development to responsible innovation:
- Environment, sustainability and governance (ESG)
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Investing in skills, including labour, technology training and socio-emotional awareness
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Inviting the contribution of youth, women and communities at risk
- Encouraging responsible use of natural resources
- Technology-centric business models
Digitalisation and innovative business: where does technology step in?
Sustainable tourism is more than simply eco-conscious travel. It is also the responsibility of hospitality service providers, including hotels, resorts, clubs, restaurants, wellness businesses, technology vendors, and governing authorities. Here are the major ways in which technology drives sustainable tourism.
Smart resource planning
Smart solutions carefully monitor resource usage, from inventory tracking and streamlined procurement to smart material management, allowing better oversight for hospitality businesses. Think of IoT systems that can be integrated with your hotel ERP to track energy and water usage or inventory software that tracks food consumption. With access to real-time, accurate data, hotels can curb overconsumption, optimise purchase orders, and implement effective energy strategies, driving both cost savings and environmental benefits.
Data-driven capacity management
On a large scale, open data platforms like the European Data Portal offer access to public datasets that help destinations plan smarter and more inclusive tourism strategies. On micro levels, hospitality ERP provides the same kind of insights to properties, recording information on real-time occupancy and demand forecasting, which helps a business identify how guest behaviour impacts operations, the economy and the environment. Businesses can then plan crowd management procedures and implement targeted campaigns to promote tourism during off seasons, reducing overtourism that negatively impacts the environment.
Guest engagement and collaboration
Sustainability is a collaborative effort of all parties involved in the tourism sector. With the help of guest engagement technology, your hospitality brand can engage guests in sustainability initiatives, gathering real-time feedback on consumption and making them more aware of their environmental impact. Integrated loyalty programmes can be used to reward sustainable guest behaviour, further incentivising guest and traveller contribution to sustainability efforts.
Uplifting local economies
Using the right procurement and inventory solutions for vendor management will prioritise local suppliers, farmers, and artisans, uplifting local economies. When a business sources locally, it minimises their environmental impact by reducing transportation emissions and packaging waste, and has greater control over supply chain management. Partnerships with local tours, artists and events also create a sustainable way to attract better revenue into local destinations. It is a way to fuel local economies without placing undue strain on local resources.
Chain-level awareness and education
Lastly, there should be awareness building throughout the hospitality community, starting with your employees. Hospitality training that promotes sustainability empowers hotel staff to adopt eco-friendly practices into daily operations, instilling a culture of environmental responsibility and getting their active participation in brands’ ESG frameworks. When adopting digital solutions, adequate training is also a must, so employees can make optimal use of new resources. Training, awareness and knowledge-sharing make hospitality workers better prepared to uphold sustainability goals and support guests to continue to do the same.
Empower your hotel operations and grow sustainably with IDS Next digital solutions. Request a demo today.
“Tourism is not just about visiting beautiful places...
It is about creating positive change, protecting our planet, and enriching lives.”, shared Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, ahead of the 7th World Tourism Conference that took place this year in Melaka, Malaysia.
It is a timely reminder to all of us that sustainable growth in tourism and hospitality means innovating with responsibility and adapting the right tools and techniques into current operations and procedures.
