Tourism is the only economic sector explicitly named in three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8.9, SDG 12.b, SDG 14.7). The three pillars of this framework map directly and verifiably onto five SDGs.
Lavaredas et al. (2025) confirm in their bibliometric review of tourism SDG research (2015–2023) that SDG 8, SDG 12, and SDG 17 are the three most cited SDGs in tourism scholarship — validating the priority weighting of Local Integration and Regenerative Contribution in this framework. Critically, the same review identifies SDG 14 and the social dimensions of tourism as systematically underresearched. This framework directly addresses that gap.
Decent Work & Economic Growth
Target 8.9P2Devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products — the legislative mandate for local economic integration.
Responsible Consumption & Production
Target 12.bP1Develop tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism — supports the measurement infrastructure of the Operational Footprint pillar.
Life Below Water
Target 14.7P3Increase economic benefits from the sustainable use of marine resources through sustainable tourism — validates marine contribution pathways and MARE partnership.
Life on Land
Target 15.1/15.5P3Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems; halt biodiversity loss — applies to operators funding habitat recovery or biodiversity research.
Partnerships for the Goals
Target 17.17P3Encourage multi-stakeholder partnerships — validates institutional research and conservation partnerships as an SDG delivery mechanism for tourism operators.