IRENA and UNWTO encourages use of renewable energy to serve tourist activities on the island

Recently, at the 3rd Conference of the United Nations on the island developing states (SIDS) in Samoa, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Agency for International Renewable Energy ( IRENA) was a joint statement on "Tourism and the use of renewable energy on the island states". 

Declaration commitment to support investment in renewable energy solutions and efficient use of energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuel resources on the island.

In the island states, the cost of energy is expensive due to longer dependent on imported diesel fuel. Although there have been many efforts to improve energy efficiency, 90% of energy consumption in this is from oil imports, accounting for 20% of the value of annual imports. Therefore, many island nations aim to expand the ability to use renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on imported oil. Since tourism into pillar industry of the economy many small island states, the hotels here have switched to select solutions using renewable energy sources. Renewable energy serves to heat water, air conditioning, power generated can help significantly reduce hotel operating costs, promote sustainable development, and make an impression in the eyes of tourists.

The joint statement calling the hotel to share information about energy savings and reduce costs through network of island states to use renewable energy globally (Grein). Finally, the statement also noted that the expansion of the platform to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency is the development of sustainable tourism and competitive world, particularly in the island states.

In the joint statement, IRENA Director General, Mr. Adnan Z. Amin and UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai stressed his cooperation with the hotel and tourism management agencies to implement this goal.

Mr Amin said investment in the hotel to use renewable energy on the island contribute to addressing the burden of the cost of using fossil fuels, causes inhibition of the process of economic development, social on the island.

According to Mr. Rifai, "Tourism is a major economic sector and industry dominates the economic growth of the society states dao.Tuy natural, sustainable tourism development in island states still face difficulties; one of which is dependent on fossil fuels. The combination of tourism and renewable energy will be an important impetus to bring the solutions of mutual benefit to the parties in the sustainable agenda of small island states to come "

2013, about 41 million passengers to travel in the developing island states, bringing foreign currency revenues up to $ 61 billion. Tourism accounts for over 20% of the GDP of the 16/48 island developing states (SIDS) and 9% of the total export value of small island.

Pham Thanh (loosely translated from UNWTO)