UNWTO has added Tlaxcala’s Sustainable Tourism Observatory as the newest member of its International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), marking way for sustainable and responsible tourism development.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has announced the addition of Mexican State Tlaxcala’s Sustainable Tourism Observatory as the newest member of its International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO).

According to a press statement by UNWTO, within the INSTO framework, the observatory will shift from focusing largely on the economic impact of tourism to also measuring tourism’s social and environmental impacts. This will help Tlaxcala to manage tourism development in a responsible and sustainable manner, taking a holistic view in developing adequate and innovative strategies for ‘rethinking’ tourism.

The statement adds that the Tlaxcala’s Tourism Observatory is now set to monitor the 11 mandatory INSTO key areas, including tourism seasonality, employment, economic benefits, energy management, water management, wastewater management, solid waste management, climate action, accessibility, local satisfaction and governance.

UNWTO says that located in the central part of Mexico, Tlaxcala is the smallest federal entity in terms of geographical size. Tlaxcala welcomed 570,000 tourists in 2019, accounting for 8.5 pc of the State GDP and 5.5 pc of the State’s employment.

‘‘As we rethink tourism and guide the sector towards greater resilience, inclusivity and sustainability, measurement has never been more important. It provides a better understanding of where a destination stands and where it wants to go. The INSTO network is an opportunity to work together to ensure that tourism is a tool that contributes to sustainable development. We are very pleased to welcome Tlaxcala as a new member,’’ says UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

“Becoming a member of INSTO allows us to frame our tourism sustainability efforts according to the 11 key monitoring areas that are mandatory for INSTO members. We are honored to become the third Observatory in Mexico to be part of this network,” says Tlaxcala´s Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora.