Our digital discussion series on sustainable tourism begins with an interview with Kelly Bricker—Professor and Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah, USA. For over 30 years, Professor Bricker has conducted research on heritage tourism, natural resource-related tourism environments and the socioeconomic impacts of tourism. She claims that sustainable tourism is an enormous economic driver, an argument which relates to Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, employment and decent work for all).
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council data, in 2015 tourism directly created over 107 million jobs (3.6 per cent of total employment, representing 3 per cent of total GDP) and supported a total of 284 million jobs—equivalent to one in 11 jobs worldwide. By 2026, these figures are expected to increase to 136 and 370 million jobs, respectively, representing one in nine of all jobs worldwide (source: http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_480824/lang--en/index.htm). These statistics highlight the significant contribution of tourism to employment and national income.
In this interview, Professor Bricker explains the concept of sustainable tourism, its challenges and the kinds of partnerships required to advance sustainable tourism as a driver of economic growth and a source of employment.
Besides teaching and researching, Kelly Bricker also serves as Vice Chair of the Global Tourism Council. She was selected as one of 18 Global Judges for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards sponsored by the World Travel & Tourism Council in January 2017.
Tune in to our conversation with Professor Bricker here to find out more!