The World Economic Forum has announced the inaugural cohort of Beyond Tourism Impact Stars, recognising six private-sector initiatives using tourism to strengthen communities, expand economic opportunity and protect the environment.

The initiative was developed with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism as part of the World Economic Forum’s broader Beyond Tourism programme, which brings together businesses, governments and other stakeholders to address challenges facing the global travel and tourism industry.

The sector is entering a critical period, with travel and tourism projected to generate $16 trillion in global GDP by 2034, representing more than 11% of the world economy. However, continued growth is taking place amid rising operating costs, geopolitical tensions, climate disruption, workforce shortages and increasing pressure on infrastructure and local communities.

The Beyond Tourism Impact Stars programme, developed with Kearney, highlights private-sector solutions that seek to address these challenges while creating commercial value and supporting stronger, more resilient destinations.

“Travel and tourism’s growth brings enormous opportunity, but future progress depends on addressing mounting pressures on resources, infrastructure and the quality of life of local communities,” said Alois Zwinggi, President and CEO, World Economic Forum. “The Beyond Tourism Impact Stars showcase how private sector leaders are responding through diverse solutions, from new business models and community partnerships to data-driven tools, workforce initiatives and heritage-led real estate development. Their examples demonstrate that commercial success and positive impact are not separate objectives, and at the same time reinforce one another by creating value for businesses, destinations and communities"

The inaugural cohort includes initiatives spanning water conservation, heritage restoration, community tourism, environmental innovation and workforce development.

Accor’s Global Water Action initiative is mobilising hotel teams worldwide to make water conservation part of daily operations. It uses training, local ownership, gamification and recognition to encourage greater participation and accelerate conservation measures across its properties.

Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment’s Reviving Downtown Cairo initiative focuses on restoring Cairo’s architectural heritage and adapting historic buildings for new uses. The programme combines heritage restoration with local business development and cultural programming to support a more inclusive urban destination.

Discova’s Path to Self-Sufficient Tourism works with rural communities across Southeast Asia to establish commercially viable tourism enterprises. The initiative connects communities directly with visitor markets while gradually transferring ownership and management to local stakeholders.

GHE Impact Ventures’ Himalayan Living Commons seeks to increase the share of tourism revenue retained by communities in remote areas of India. Its model combines local enterprise development, skills training, infrastructure and market access to build community-owned visitor economies.

Iberostar’s Wave of Change: Using Science to Drive Operational Innovation applies science, data, artificial intelligence and engineering to hotel operations. The initiative aims to reduce environmental impacts, support ecosystem restoration and improve the operational resilience of tourism destinations.

Sommet Education’s Empowering Saudi Hospitality Talent focuses on developing Saudi Arabia’s hospitality workforce through a national education partnership covering entry-level skills, professional development and executive leadership. The programme aims to help meet the talent requirements of the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding tourism industry.

"The Beyond Tourism Initiative, our partnership with the World Economic Forum reflects a shared commitment to translating vision into tangible impact for global travel and tourism,” said His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. “Through key milestones like the inaugural cohort of Beyond Tourism Impact Stars and the first Beyond Tourism Day, we are establishing vital platforms that connect stakeholders and innovators, foster substantive dialogue, and deliver practical solutions to real industry challenges. Saudi Arabia remains committed to fostering a more resilient, responsible, and inclusive travel and tourism ecosystem.”

Bob Willen, Global Managing Partner and Chairman of Kearney, said the sector’s long-term success would depend on whether tourism growth generates lasting benefits for destinations and communities.

“Tourism is one of the world’s great economic engines, but its future success will depend on whether growth delivers lasting value for the places and people that make travel possible,” said Bob Willen, Global Managing Partner and Chairman, Kearney. “The Beyond Tourism Impact Stars cohort proves that businesses do not have to choose between commercial performance and positive impact: the strongest models are already advancing both. We are proud to support the World Economic Forum and the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia in bringing these practical, scalable examples to the fore, and in helping the sector turn ambition into action.”

The six Impact Stars will be recognised at the World Economic Forum’s inaugural Beyond Tourism Day in Geneva, Switzerland. Held under the theme “Resilient Growth. Renewed Impact”, the event will bring together senior representatives from business, government and civil society.

Discussions will address destination competitiveness and resilience, workforce readiness, technology and innovation, investment, and the development of solutions that can be scaled across the tourism industry.

The event is scheduled two days before World Tourism Day on September 27 and aims to broaden the global discussion around tourism’s role in strengthening economies, creating quality employment and delivering greater value to destinations and communities.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism; Tony Bates, Chairman and CEO of Genesys; Spencer Coles, CEO of Sommet Education; Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism; Cara Morton, CEO of Global Businesses and Operations at Zurich Insurance Group; and Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International. -TradeArabia News Service