International Greeter Association
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Greeters contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Greeters around the world help bring the UN Sustainable Development Goals to life in everyday city experiences. Through free, small-scale walks with local volunteers, they promote inclusive and liveable cities, low-impact and climate‑friendly ways of exploring, and respectful encounters across cultures. By focusing on people rather than profit, Greeters support responsible tourism, strengthen local communities and foster global understanding – directly contributing to several SDGs.
Inclusive and Sustainable Cities
Greeters help make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. By guiding visitors mainly on foot or by public transport, they encourage gentle, human-scale exploration of urban neighbourhoods. Greeters often introduce guests to lesser-known areas and everyday places, helping to spread tourism beyond crowded hotspots and to strengthen local identity.
Minimal Resource Use
Greeter activities are based on sharing time, stories and local knowledge rather than promoting consumption. There are no tickets, tips or hidden sales. Greets do not require additional infrastructure, vehicles or printed materials, which keeps resource use low. Visitors are encouraged to support local cafés, markets and cultural venues in a conscious and respectful way.
Climate-friendly Travel
Greeter walks are low-carbon by design. Most experiences take place on foot and use existing public transport networks, avoiding extra traffic and emissions. By highlighting walkable routes, green spaces and climate-friendly mobility options, Greeters demonstrate that discovering a city can be both enjoyable and climate-conscious.
Intercultural Learning
Greeter encounters are informal learning experiences. Guests discover local history, culture and everyday life directly from residents, while hosts learn from their visitors’ perspectives. This intercultural dialogue helps reduce stereotypes, fosters mutual understanding and promotes global citizenship. Greeter programmes welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, contributing to more inclusive and equitable tourism.
Trust-building Encounters
Meeting locals in a relaxed, non-commercial setting builds trust between people from different countries and cultures. These face-to-face encounters support a culture of peace, dialogue and openness. In many cases Greeter groups cooperate with municipalities and local organisations, aligning their work with democratic and transparent structures at city level.
Global Network
IGA connects local Greeter groups on all continents and encourages cooperation with cities, tourism boards, NGOs and community initiatives. Through this global network, practical experience and good practices in sustainable urban tourism are shared and further developed. Partnerships are at the heart of how Greeters contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda.
Disclaimer: The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States.
