International tourism plays a key role in advancing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The sector is explicitly referenced in SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) as a driver of employment and economic development, particularly in least-developed countries, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) for promoting sustainable business practices, and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) for protecting marine ecosystems. Beyond these, responsibly managed tourism can contribute meaningfully to all SDGs.

In Tyrol, most SDGs are addressed, with the exception of SDG 14, which is less relevant for a landlocked region. The first draft of Tyrol’s multidimensional measurement framework, included in the regions tourism strategy “The Tyrolean Way”, covered SDG 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 17. The current, expanded framework, now forming the basis for sustainability monitoring across all 34 Tyrolean tourism associations, adds:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) through indicators on local satisfaction and resident attitudes toward tourism,

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) through metrics on water use and wastewater,

• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through accessibility as a key issue area,

• SDG 15 (Life on Land) through indicators on solid waste, biodiversity and landscape conservation.

At present, SDG 1, 2 and 16 play a more minor role within the regional tourism context.