According to research carried out by UNWTO and FAO, mountain tourism accounts for between 9 and 16% of international tourist arrivals worldwide. That means that as many as 375 million tourists visited mountain tourism destinations in 2019 alone. But we cannot forget that for many communities, tourism is more than numbers; tourism is their livelihood, and as such, we have a shared duty to ensure the return of international travel brings inclusive and sustainable opportunities for all.

Promoting sustainable practices can increase and diversify household incomes, enhance job opportunities, build robust micro-economies and revitalize products and services. At the same time, it can build resilience and protect the fragile mountain ecosystems and their unique heritage. Achieving this will require ensuring that communities are at the heart of mountain tourism development. They are undoubtedly best-placed to measure and manage the impacts of tourism in mountains, as well as the adequate management of resources, and to develop a definition of sustainable tourism planning and management policies and strategies.