Newest signatory to the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge taking meaningful, measurable steps to implement and support sustainable practices
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(OTTAWA, ON—October 4, 2023) Tourism HR Canada today demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by signing the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge. The organization will increase its sustainability performance each year, through to 2030, using an assessment based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria, and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Taking concrete, measurable actions to secure a vibrant future for our planet is not a choice; it’s a responsibility,” says Philip Mondor, president and CEO of Tourism HR Canada. “We have a duty to protect our environment and ensure that future generations can partake in tourism, whether as a traveller, a local, or a professional. We are honoured to join the dozens of likeminded businesses and destinations across Canada determined to make a positive change and weave sustainability into their day-to-day practices.”
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”
A multi-billion-dollar industry in Canada, tourism is undergoing rapid change as it recovers from the impacts of the pandemic and responds to increasing climate uncertainty. A vital economic driver, the sector is a key employer for over two million Canadians, with 1 in 10 jobs across the country related to tourism. Responsible, meaningful action is needed to ensure tourism can be a force for good; the signatories of the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge believe that improving the social, cultural, environmental, and economic performance of the tourism industry is essential to the long-term health and wellbeing of this important sector of the economy.
Tourism HR Canada commits to measuring and improving its sustainability performance in the following ways:
- Continuously adjust its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices to lower its carbon footprint and grow its social handprint
- Develop and promote HR practices to build inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible, leading (IDEAL) workplaces that support a globally competitive and sustainable industry
- Provide sustainable National Occupation Standards and quality training to build a skilled, diverse, inclusive, and resilient workforce
- Take the self-assessment and sustainability scorecard annually to measure its progress
“Tourism HR Canada looks forward to the opportunity to further its sustainable practices, and will provide annual updates of its progress under the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge,” adds Mondor. “We are particularly committed to action around six relevant SDGs: quality education; gender equality; decent work and economic growth; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; and responsible consumption and production. The resources available through the Pledge will support our work in these key areas.”
Developed in Canada by GreenStep, the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge was launched together with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada to help tourism businesses and destinations measure and improve their sustainability performance by creating a common framework and benchmark for the sector. The program offers a free online assessment and sustainability score, helping tourism businesses and destinations self-assess on a broad range of sustainability criteria. This creates a common framework and benchmark from which tourism businesses and destinations can create action plans to make ongoing improvements in the areas of economic, social, cultural, natural, and environmental sustainability.
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About Tourism HR Canada:
Tourism HR Canada is a pan-Canadian organization with a mandate aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. It facilitates, coordinates, and enables human resource development activities that support a globally competitive and sustainable industry and foster the development of a dynamic, inclusive, and resilient workforce. The organization works with the industry to attract, train, and retain valuable tourism professionals by giving them the tools and resources they need to succeed in their careers and entrepreneurial endeavours. Learn more at TourismHR.ca.
Media Enquiries:
Heather Elder
Director, Marketing
helder@tourismhr.ca