On 27 September 2025, the global tourism community celebrates World Tourism Day and the theme is “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.”
This year’s focus reminds us the role of tourism as a driver of sustainable and resilient change. Tourism connects people and places, strengthens local economies, and protects cultural and natural heritage. At the same time, it must address challenges related to global warming, inequality, and overuse of resources to ensure a positive long-term impact. Tourism is an essential pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and it can help achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (especially goals 8, 12 & 14). On earth, one person out of ten is employed by the tourism sector which provides livelihoods to hundreds of millions of people.
“Tourism is a powerful engine of opportunity. It creates jobs and strengthens bonds between people and places, reminding us of our shared humanity. Yet, it can also damage the very places and communities it celebrates. As the world faces climate breakdown and rising inequality, we need bold, urgent, and sustainable transformation that puts people and planet first.”
- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
Green Key’s contribution
With more than 8,000 certified establishments in over 90 countries, Green Key is proud to be part of this global movement towards sustainable tourism. The programme continues to grow steadily and Good Practices flourish across the different sites.
The people working in tourism are behind this progress, as well as the commitment of certified sites, and the choices made by travelers. Everyday, efforts pay off and practices evolve, sustainable tourism is possible and powerful!
Help shape the future of sustainable tourism
Green Key is currently revising its criteria, and we want your voice in the process. From 10 October to 10 November 2025, an external hearing will be open through an online survey. Partners and stakeholders are warmly invited to share feedback to ensure the criteria remain ambitious, practical, and impactful for tourism’s sustainable transformation.
Get ready to share your feedback, the survey goes live on Friday 10 October!
Green Key wants to celebrate and thank all the certified establishments from the network for developing inspiring new projects over the years.
Thank you also to Green Key’s valuable partners and stakeholders, whose ongoing support, collaboration, and commitment play a crucial role in driving our shared mission forward and ensuring the continued success of the programme.
Our last thanks go to the travelers: thank you for exploring the world and be part of the change.
What is World Tourism Day ?
The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) , Institutional Partner of Green Key, instituted World Tourism Day in 1980. This date was chosen to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes in 1970. World Tourism Day aim to draw attention on the role of tourism globally. Another goal is to shine a light on the social, cultural, political and economic aspects tourism affects.
By celebrating World Tourism Day, the United Nations wish to spread international awareness but also to encourage people to take action on these issues.
To find out more about Green Key’s institutional partners, follow this link.