19:49 - 2.07.2026

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July 2, Fineko/abc.az. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reported that the industry's contribution to global GDP reached a record $11.6 trillion by 2025; however, it could shrink by a third by 2050 due to climate change.

A study by the University of Cambridge shows that rising sea levels, extreme weather, and ocean acidification are devastating marine tourism by destroying coral reefs and degrading water quality. According to data from EBSCO, global losses could reach $1.7 to $3.1 trillion annually, with tourism ranking among the hardest-hit sectors.

Meanwhile, the tourism sector itself generates about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Experts suggest shifting from quantitative growth to a sustainable model and implementing the concept of "tourism equilibrium"—developed by Irfan Arikan and Ilker Unsever—which is based on balancing the preservation of heritage with its utilization.