UN Tourism and ILO Unveil New Employment Dataset for SDG Monitoring
UN Tourism, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has launched a groundbreaking employment dataset to enhance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) monitoring, particularly within tourism. This dataset strengthens evidence on tourism’s role in economic growth, sustainable practices, and job creation, aligning closely with SDG 8, SDG 12, and SDG 14.
Addressing a Key Data Gap for SDGs
Traditionally, tourism's impact has been measured through "Tourism Direct GDP." However, the new dataset addresses a critical gap by focusing on tourism employment, aligning with Target 8.9’s emphasis on sustainable job creation. The dataset consolidates country-level data based on the UN’s Statistical Framework for Measuring Tourism Sustainability.
A Milestone in Tourism Employment Data
Approved by the UN Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators, this dataset, supported by stakeholders including Austria, Spain, Saudi Arabia, CARICOM, and ILO, provides insights into employment types across 10 tourism industries, such as accommodation, food service, transport, travel agencies, and cultural activities.
Key Employment Insights
For the first time, the dataset offers data on tourism employment by gender, employment status (employees vs. self-employed), and industry. This enables a deeper understanding of the sector's workforce and supports sustainable tourism policies.
Resource for Policymaking and Stakeholder Empowerment
Accessible in the Sustainable Development Goals section of the UN Tourism Statistics Database, this data will guide decision-making in areas like job creation, social development, and economic diversification. It also serves as a resource for tourism and employment ministries, industry representatives, and researchers aiming to integrate tourism into broader economic and social agendas.
