Executive summary The global travel and tourism (T&T) sector is entering a period of profound transformation, moving decisively from a fragmented, business- as-usual operating model to a holistic, ecosystem- based paradigm. As the sector grows, projected to reach 30 billion tourist visits and contribute $16 trillion to global GDP by 2034, it brings with it both significant opportunities and escalating challenges. These challenges include increasing friction between visitors and residents, mounting environmental pressures, persistent workforce and investment shortfalls and heightened vulnerability to global disruptions such as geopolitical instability and climate events. Past reliance on siloed stakeholders and incremental policy interventions have proven inadequate for creating a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable sector. The COVID-19 pandemic offered stark illustration of the high cost of uncoordinated action, yielding suboptimal travel restrictions and exposing destination communities to volatility. Moreover, unchecked growth has sparked resident opposition in iconic hotspots, widened gaps among attractive but underserved regions and threatened the sector’s social licence to operate. This paper demonstrates that systematic ecosystem coordination is the way forward. Rather than treating the T&T sector as several separate industries competing for resources, the ecosystem approach recognizes T&T as an interconnected network where aligned action across five enablers – infrastructure; finance; technology and innovation; people and skills; and policy and governance – transforms challenges into opportunities for inclusive growth. Leading destinations worldwide have successfully applied this ecosystem approach with measurable results. Portugal doubled tourism receipts while reducing geographic concentration through integrated ministry- level planning. Chumbe Island in Tanzania became the world’s first privately managed marine protected area, with eco-lodge revenues financing reef protection, mangrove restoration and education for thousands of students and community members. New Zealand generated more than NZ$ 500 million ($290 million) in conservation funding through coordinated visitor levies while maintaining resident support for tourism growth. Costa Rica reversed deforestation while building a $4 billion annual tourism economy through systematic alignment of conservation and development policies. Siwa Oasis in Egypt mobilized local private investment in small- scale enterprises, creating jobs and preserving cultural heritage while positioning the oasis as a sustainable desert destination. Singapore maintained global tourism competitiveness and one of the highest liveability ratings worldwide. The Sunshine Coast in Australia diversified its regional economy, while Hainan in China stabilized fragile ecosystems even as it welcomed more than 80 million visitors. Lastly, Indonesia increased the resiliency of its pandemic-hit tourism economy by adopting health standards, expanding community tourism and investing in sustainable, diversified growth. These successes demonstrate common patterns: multistakeholder governance structures with real authority, integrated planning that serves both visitors and residents, revenue-sharing mechanisms that distribute benefits equitably and systematic coordination across the five critical enablers that amplify tourism’s positive impacts while mitigating negative externalities. The insights presented in this paper provide practical pathways for destinations, enterprises and development partners to move from fragmented approaches to ecosystem coordination, unlocking tourism’s full potential while safeguarding the natural and cultural foundations upon which it depends. Coordinated action by stakeholders in the travel and tourism ecosystem offers a proven pathway to sustainable prosperity. Beyond Tourism: Coordinated Pathways to Inclusive Prosperity 4

Beyond Tourism Coordinated Pathways to Inclusive Prosperity 2025