News

Sustainable mountain tourism: FAO's high-level virtual event to mark International Mountain Day

26.11.2021

International leaders and mountain champions will discuss how tourism in mountains can contribute to creating additional and alternative livelihood options as well as landscape and biodiversity conservation, during the high-level virtual celebration of International Mountain Day (IMD) 2021 on Friday, 10 December.

The focus of this year’s IMD, sustainable tourism in mountains, highlights how innovative and transformative approaches to mountain tourism contribute to economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Mountain tourism plays a role in valuing the natural and cultural heritage of mountains and mountain peoples, promoting sustainable food systems, and protecting mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity. While tourism is one of the sectors that has been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – with an immense impact on economies and livelihoods on all continents – visits to open air, less crowded destinations have increased, opening new opportunities for mountain tourism.

To ensure the sustainability of mountain tourism it is essential to measure its impact, manage resources and waste, define the carrying capacity of destinations, advance digitalization and invest in sustainable infrastructure and products. The COVID-19 pandemic offers mountain destinations and businesses an opportunity to rethink the products and services they currently offer and aim at a more inclusive and sustainable future.

The event “Sustainable mountain tourism” will promote dialogue and cooperation to tap mountain tourism's full potential to contribute to sustainable development around the world.

Mountain Partnership members internationally, including high-level speakers, youth, environmental experts and mountain communities, will share what they are doing to ensure that mountain communities are not left behind in the spirit of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The event will be held from 14.30 to 16.15 CET on Friday, 10 December. Click here to register for the Zoom event.

Download the agenda
Learn more about IMD
Explore global IMD celebrations
Download the 2021 IMD infographic