Tourism as a Catalyst for Global Growth and Cooperation
The recent Euronews Hub event at Hotel Davoserhof explored how tourism can drive economic development and international diplomacy amid global uncertainties. Bringing together government officials, industry leaders, and investors, the gathering highlighted tourism’s unique position as both an economic engine and a bridge between cultures. As world leaders grapple with complex challenges, many are turning to tourism as a versatile tool for achieving broader development goals, from economic diversification to cultural exchange.
Mongolia’s Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar opened the event by positioning tourism as central to his nation’s development strategy. “Tourism is viewed as the second sector of Mongolia. This is the strategic pillar of our economic diplomacy and long-term drive to inclusive economic growth,” he explained. This sentiment was echoed by representatives from countries as diverse as Angola, Italy, and Sri Lanka, all of whom are looking beyond traditional economic metrics to measure tourism’s success. Increasingly, nations are moving away from visitor numbers as the primary benchmark and instead focusing on tourism’s capacity to generate sustainable growth, create quality employment, and foster international goodwill. This shift reflects a more sophisticated understanding of tourism’s potential to address multiple policy objectives simultaneously.
The relationship between public and private sectors emerged as a crucial factor in tourism development. Angola’s Tourism Minister Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel described his country’s efforts to create favorable conditions for investment, including what he called a “war on bureaucracy in tourism.” His measure of success was telling: investors who choose to reinvest profits rather than repatriate them. Alessandra Priante from Italy’s tourism board emphasized the need for policy stability and coordination across government departments, arguing that fragmented approaches undermine destination competitiveness. Industry representatives, including Senthil Gopinath from the International Congress and Convention Association, suggested that the most effective partnerships occur when governments establish enabling frameworks while allowing private enterprise to drive innovation. This balanced approach recognizes tourism’s need for both structured support and entrepreneurial freedom.
Tourism’s diplomatic dimension received particular attention during the discussions. Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya shared how tourism helped her country recover from periods of crisis, with continued visitor arrivals demonstrating international confidence. “People responded, and we were able to record the highest number of arrivals in our history,” she noted, underscoring tourism’s capacity to communicate resilience. Kubanıçek Ömüraliyev, representing the Organization of Turkic States, described tourism as “a strategic instrument, so soft power and diplomacy capital,” highlighting how shared cultural experiences can strengthen regional bonds. For regions undergoing transformation, like parts of the Middle East, tourism offers a pathway to reshape global perceptions. Meshari Alnahari of Aseer Investment Company observed that modern travelers seek authentic experiences rather than merely consuming specific attractions, creating natural opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange that can transcend political tensions.
The integration of sustainability into tourism strategy has evolved from aspiration to imperative. Randy Durband from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council identified dual pressures driving this change: “The capital markets want sustainability, and I would argue the travelers want it too.” This convergence of financial and consumer expectations is reshaping investment decisions across the sector. Suriname’s Vice President Gregory Rusland described how his carbon-negative country is deliberately pursuing low-impact, high-value tourism to protect its rainforests and biodiversity. Industry operators like Christoph Kiessling of the Loro Parque Foundation emphasized that sustainability must be embedded in business operations rather than treated as an optional consumer choice. These perspectives reflect tourism’s growing recognition that environmental and social responsibility are fundamental to long-term success rather than peripheral considerations.
As the world navigates complex challenges from climate change to geopolitical tensions, tourism’s role as both economic driver and diplomatic bridge appears increasingly vital. The discussions at Davos revealed a maturing industry that is moving beyond simplistic growth metrics toward more nuanced measures of success that incorporate economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Countries as diverse as Mongolia, Angola, Italy, and Sri Lanka are finding value in tourism’s ability to diversify economies, create employment, and foster international understanding. The most successful approaches balance government frameworks with private sector innovation, respect local communities while welcoming visitors, and maintain environmental integrity while developing experiences. As Nicole Monge of APCO noted, transparency and credibility are becoming essential as investors and travelers demand authentic commitment to responsible practices. Tourism thus stands at a pivotal moment, with the potential to demonstrate how economic development can align with broader human and environmental wellbeing in an increasingly interconnected world.
