Material extraction: Challenges and conservation strategies

The Travel & Tourism sector, a significant driver of global economic growth, is heavily reliant on the extraction of natural resources. From biomass to fossil fuels and minerals, the sector’s demand for raw materials has profound environmental implications. As tourism continues to expand, so does its material footprint, presenting both challenges and opportunities for conservation.

Implications of material extraction

The material requirements of the Travel & Tourism sector have surged by 64% in the decade leading up to 2019. Non-metallic minerals, driven by the construction of tourism-related infrastructure, represent the largest category of extracted materials, accounting for 41% of the total in 2019. This rapid growth reflects an increased investment in buildings, machinery, and infrastructure to accommodate the rising number of tourists​​.

The sector is also dependent on non-renewable resources. Fossil fuels are a prime example, with the sector using these more intensively than the global average. This dependency underscores an unsustainable reliance on finite energy sources, posing a significant environmental challenge​​. Moreover, biomass extraction, which includes the harvesting of crops and fish, is another critical area. The sector’s biomass footprint is notably significant in countries with biocapacity deficits, where natural regeneration cannot keep pace with resource extraction. This over-exploitation contributes to ecosystem degradation, particularly in regions already struggling with ecological sustainability​​.

The nature and extent of material extraction for tourism vary significantly across regions. For example, the Middle East is dominated by ambitious capital investment programmes, non-metallic minerals constitute 59% of the region's tourism-related material footprint. Conversely, in the Americas, the material footprint is concentrated in countries with a biocapacity surplus, though these regions still face challenges related to ecosystem loss and biodiversity decline​​.

Conservation strategies

To mitigate the environmental impact of material extraction, the sector must adopt more sustainable practices. This includes increasing efficiency in the use of materials and shifting towards renewable energy sources. For instance, enhancing the efficiency of agricultural supply chains can reduce the biomass footprint, while investing in renewable energy can decrease dependency on fossil fuels​​.

Governments play a crucial role in regulating material extraction. Policies that promote sustainable tourism practices and enforce strict environmental standards are essential. Moreover, efforts to conserve and rehabilitate natural ecosystems are vital. This involves protecting areas of high ecological value, restoring degraded ecosystems, and promoting biodiversity. By maintaining healthy ecosystems, the tourism sector can ensure the sustainability of the natural resources it depends on​​.

Addressing the challenges of material extraction in tourism requires global cooperation. International initiatives can help share best practices and resources. Additionally, educating stakeholders—from policymakers to tourists—about the environmental impacts of tourism and the importance of sustainable practices can drive meaningful change​​.  

The Travel & Tourism sector’s reliance on natural resource extraction presents significant environmental challenges. However, through sustainable practices, robust policies, and international cooperation, the sector can mitigate its impact and contribute to global conservation efforts. Balancing the demands of tourism with the need to preserve our planet’s ecosystems is crucial for the future of both the sector and the environment.

This article is based on the WTTC report “The Environmental Impact of Global Tourism”, published October 2023