Posts Tagged :

UNWTO News

International Tourism with Strong Recovery Amid Growing Challenges

 500 281 wttc2
By:

UNWTO - International Tourism with Strong Recovery Amid Growing Challenges - TRAVELINDEXMadrid, Spain, August 2, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / International tourism continues to show signs of a strong and steady recovery from the impact of the pandemic despite significant mounting economic and geopolitical challenges.

According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism saw a strong rebound in the first five months of 2022, with almost 250 million international arrivals recorded. This compares to 77 million arrivals from January to May 2021 and means that the sector has recovered almost half (46%) of pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

“The recovery of tourism has gathered pace in many parts of the world, weathering the challenges standing in its way”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. At the same time, he also advises caution in view of the “economic headwinds and geopolitical challenges which could impact the sector in the remainder of 2022 and beyond”.

Europe and Americas lead recovery

Europe welcomed more than four times as many international arrivals as in the first five months of 2021 (+350%), boosted by strong intra-regional demand and the removal of all travel restrictions in a growing number of countries. The region saw particularly robust performance in April (+458%), reflecting a busy Easter period. In the Americas, arrivals more than doubled (+112%). However, the strong rebound is measured against weak results in 2021 and arrivals remain overall 36% and 40% below 2019 levels in both regions, respectively.

The recovery of tourism has gathered pace in many parts of the world, weathering the challenges standing in its way

The same pattern is seen across other regions. The strong growth in the Middle East (+157%) and Africa (+156%) remained 54% and 50% below 2019 levels respectively, and Asia and the Pacific almost doubled arrivals (+94%), though numbers were 90% below 2019, as some borders remained closed to non-essential travel. Here, the recent easing of restrictions can be seen in improved results for April and May.

Looking at subregions, several have recovered between 70% and 80% of their pre-pandemic levels, led by the Caribbean and Central America, followed by Southern Mediterranean, Western and Northern Europe. It is noteworthy that some destinations surpassed 2019 levels, including US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, the Republic of Moldova, Albania, Honduras and Puerto Rico.

Tourism spending also rising

Rising tourism spending out of the major source markets is consistent with the observed recovery. International expenditure by tourists from France, Germany, Italy and the United States is now at 70% to 85% of pre-pandemic levels, while spending from India, Saudi Arabia and Qatar has already exceeded 2019 levels.

In terms of international tourism receipts earned in destinations, a growing number of countries – the Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Seychelles, Romania, North Macedonia, Saint Lucia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Albania, Pakistan, Sudan, Türkiye, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Mexico, Croatia and Portugal – have fully recovered their pre-pandemic levels.

Defying mounting challenges

Strong demand during the Northern Hemisphere summer season is expected to consolidate these positive results, particularly as more destinations ease or lift travel restrictions. As of 22 July, 62 destinations (of which 39 in Europe) had no COVID-19 related restrictions in place and an increasing number of destinations in Asia have started to ease theirs.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the overall reduction in international air capacity in 2022 will be limited to 20% to 25% of seats offered by airlines as compared to 2019. Such resilience is also reflected in hotel occupancy rates. Based on data from the industry benchmarking firm STR, global occupancy rates climbed to 66% in June 2022, from 43% in January.

However, stronger than expected demand has created significant operational and workforce challenges, while the war in Ukraine, rising inflation and interest rates, as well as fears of an economic slowdown continue to pose a risk to recovery. The International Monetary Fund points to a global economic slowdown from 6.1% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2022 and then to 2.9% in 2023. At the same time, UNWTO continues to work closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to monitor the pandemic as well as emerging public health emergencies and their potential impact on travel.

Regional Scenarios for 2022

UNWTO’s forward-looking scenarios published in May 2022 point to international arrivals reaching 55% to 70% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022. Results depend on evolving circumstances, mostly changing travel restrictions, ongoing inflation, including high energy prices, and overall economic conditions, the evolution of the war in Ukraine, as well as the health situation related to the pandemic. More recent challenges such as staff shortages, severe airport congestion and flight delays and cancellations could also impact international tourism numbers.

Scenarios by region show Europe and Americas recording the best tourism results in 2022, while Asia and the Pacific is expected to lag behind due to more restrictive travel policies. International tourist arrivals in Europe could climb to 65% or 80% of 2019 levels in 2022, depending on various conditions, while in the Americas they could reach 63% to 76% of those levels.

In Africa and the Middle East arrivals could reach about 50% to 70% of pre-pandemic levels, while in Asia and the Pacific they would remain at 30% of 2019 levels in the best-case scenario, due to stricter policies and restrictions.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Sets Shared Goals and Opportunities for Tourism in Paraguay

 500 317 wttc2
By:

UNWTO Sets Shared Goals and Opportunities for Tourism in Paraguay - TRAVELINDEXAsunción, Paraguay, August 1, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The President of Paraguay Mario Abdo Benitez, welcomed this week UNWTO’s support as the county works to make tourism a central pillar of economic growth and social opportunity.

Leading an official UNWTO delegation to Paraguay, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with President Abdo Benitez to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities for tourism in Paraguay and identify ways of working together to grow and the sector in both size and relevance. Paraguay currently serves as Chair of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas and is a member of its Executive Council. Such an active role in the mission of UNWTO underscores the government’s commitment to establishing the country as one of the region’s top tourist destinations and the sector as a driver of sustainable development.

The task of the National Government is to promote Paraguay as a destination

Making tourism a priority for Paraguay

Secretary-General Pololikashvili noted that Paraguay is already “on the world map as a destination”, and that, working together, UNWTO and the government can “make this beautiful country better known and make tourism a priority for creating jobs and opportunities for economic growth”.

Opening a special session on Renewable Energy and Sustainable Tourism, held against the backdrop of the UNWTO visit, President Mario Abdo Benítez, said: “The task of the National Government is to promote Paraguay as a destination as part of our strategy to generate income, strengthen our culture and give opportunity to a large number of young people who, as the UNWTO Secretary General said, have the potential to be tourism’s greatest strength.”

Alongside meeting with the President, the UNWTO delegation also met with Minister of Tourism for Paraguay Sofía Montiel de Afara, with the National Tourism Advisory Council of Paraguay, as well as with representatives from the World Bank and from across the private sector. The presence of high-level representatives from the Ministries of the Interior, of Industry and Commerce and of Education and Sciences, underlined the cross-cutting importance of tourism for Paraguay and for the wider region. The Minister of Tourism stated her desire to build on her Ministry’s existing work with UNWTO and develop a new series of capacity-building initiatives to guide tourism in sector out of the pandemic and towards a more resilient future.

Youth empowerment and rural development

Reflecting one of UNWTO’s core priorities, as illustrated by the recent inaugural Global Youth Tourism Summit, Secretary-General Pololikashvili also met with young tourism leaders and advocates from every part of Paraguay to hear their thoughts on the future of the sector and to ensure that they are part of the decision-making process. The UNWTO delegation also visited the historic community of San Cosme y San Damián, named one of UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages in 2021 in recognition of its significance preserving the country’s unique cultural heritage and as a provider of rural development.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Tourism Statistics Inform UN Reports on Sustainable Development

 500 262 wttc2
By:

Tourism Statistics Inform UN Reports on Sustainable Development - TRAVELINDEXNew York City, New York, United  States, July 18, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / A United Nations global assessment of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) makes clear the important role that tourism must play in achieving the ambitious agenda for change.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Launched at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which this year is held around the theme of ‘building back better’ from the pandemic, the UN reports draw on UNWTO’s statistical work to track tourism’s role in delivering meaningful progress for people and the planet. Specifically, the UN SG Progress report on SDGs with its statistical annex will serve as an input to the deliberations of the HLFP. Alongside this, the Sustainable Development Goals Extended Report is aimed at the wider public and provides an overview of all 17 Goals with infographics, including those illustrating the relevance of tourism.

Prepared in collaboration with the entire UN Statistical System, the reports and their latest available data show that action is needed to accelerate the delivery on the SDGs and to step up national measurement efforts, including for the tourism sector.

As demonstrated in section on SDG8 (‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’), tourism a major force of development was one of the most affected economic sectors by the COVID-19 Pandemic as global GDP from tourism nearly halved between 2019 and 2020, with wide-reaching consequences for jobs, local businesses and conservation efforts.

On SDG12 (‘Responsible Production and Consumption’), UNWTO’s statistics serve to highlight the importance of national efforts to implement standardized tools like Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSAs) and the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). Both underpin the UNWTO-led Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) that assesses the social, economic and environmental impacts and dependencies of tourism—at national and sub-national levels -. These tools also underline the importance of multistakeholder collaboration which is fostered through the Sustainable Tourism Programme of the One Planet network.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

As countries build back better and aim to build more sustainable and resilient tourism, various policy frameworks have recognized the need for these measurement tools to guide their efforts and thus contribute to more evidence-based policymaking. Examples at the international and regional level are the UNWTO Recommendations for the Transition to a Green Travel and Tourism Economy  and the AlUla Framework for Inclusive Community Development Through Tourism, both welcomed and endorsed by the G20, the European Parliament resolution on establishing a strategy for sustainable tourism, the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework, UNWTO General Assembly resolutions and UN Statistical Commission decisions.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

La Rioja Host of UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism

 500 256 wttc2
By:

 

Vivanc La Rioja Host of UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism - TOP25VINEYARDS.com - TRAVELINDEXLa Rioja, Spain, July 13, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The 7th edition of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Conference on Wine Tourism will be held in La Rioja in 2023. This new edition was presented at the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture, with the participation of Concha Andreu, President of the Government of La Rioja; Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism; and the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili.

• Discover Rioja and the World’s Best Vineyards at TOP25Vineyards.com.

The Conference has become a leading international forum on trends, tools and opportunities to advance wine tourism. It provides an opportunity for experts and professionals, as well as consolidated and emerging destinations in this tourism segment to exchange knowledge and experiences.

During the official presentation, which was hosted at the Vivanco facilities in Briones, Pololikashvili thanked Spain and La Rioja for hosting the 2023 edition of the Conference, and highlighted the potential of wine tourism as a driver of the growth of local economies and as an engine of social change: “This is a sector that can lead a positive change,  especially in many rural communities, creating jobs and opportunities in the most depopulated areas, boosting economic growth and preserving the natural and cultural environment.”

This is a sector that can lead a positive change, especially in many rural communities, creating jobs and opportunities in the most depopulated areas, boosting economic growth and preserving the natural and cultural environment

The minister stressed that wine tourism “contributes to economic, social, environmental sustainability, adds value, de-seasonalizes product offerings and allows us to visit the rural environment”.

• Discover Rioja and the World’s Best Vineyards at TOP25Vineyards.com.

The President of La Rioja, for her part, pointed out the recognition that the holding of the Conference implies for the tourist development of the region: “La Rioja possesses a unique and diverse heritage, both material and intangible, related to wine as food and as a product, and, in turn, that heritage constitutes a leading tourism offering that can and should be further enhanced.”

The 2022 edition the UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism will be held in Alba, Italy, from 19 to 21 September.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Advancing Safe Mobility for Stronger Recovery

 500 301 wttc2
By:

UNWTO - Advancing Safe Mobility for Stronger Recovery - TRAVELINDEXIbiza, Spain, July 12, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO joined the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Spain in the recent High-Level Meeting on Safe International Travel held in Ibiza on 7-8 July.

The High-Level Meeting focused on the lessons learned from the impact of the pandemic on international mobility and tourism, to build resilience to face future crises.

“The progress during these past two years, alongside increased coordination among governments, have prompted the basis for a strong recovery”, said Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili. Underscoring that “vaccine equity remains a big challenge”, he stressed that “implementing what we have learned is critical for how we deal with future pandemics, as we work to consolidating how we grow back better”.

Participants recognized that the recovery of cross-border travel requires easing and lifting COVID-related travel restrictions as far as possible, while ensuring public health considerations

The progress during these past two years, alongside increased coordination among governments, have prompted the basis for a strong recovery

Chaired by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain, Reyes Maroto, the meeting gathered health and the tourism sector representatives of over 30 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other UN agencies such as the International Organizational for Migration (IMO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The High-Level Meeting on Safe International Travel was held in support of the G20 Indonesian Presidency of 2022.  Backed by key stakeholders such as OECD, WHO, ICAO and UNWTO, participants encouraged the Indonesian chair to incorporate the main points into the relevant initiatives of the G20 process,, namely the G20 Health Working Group’s priority on Harmonizing global health standards focused on the Harmonization of COVID-19 and other Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD) Certificate Recognition at the Point of Entry.

On the occasion, UNWTO and OECD released an impact assessment of the pandemic on tourism showcasing how the sector was among the most affected.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Young People Must Be Active Participants to Restart Tourism

 500 308 wttc2
By:

UNWTO Young People Must Be Active Participants to Restart Tourism - TRAVELINDEXSorrento, Italy, July 9, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Young people have always been an integral part of tourism. Countless destinations, in every global region, depend on them to support businesses and livelihoods, and the return of young travellers as the world opens up again brings hope for many millions of people. At the same time, young people also make up a significant proportion of the tourism workforce. Indeed, our sector is one of the leading providers of youth empowerment, providing opportunities for everyone, regardless of their backgrounds or academic attainment.

UNWTO recognizes the importance of youth. For this reason, youth empowerment, including through offering education and training opportunities as well as access to decent jobs, is one of our key priorities. But we are committed to going even further. Young people must not only be beneficiaries of tourism’s restart, but they must also be active participants in it. Now is the time to bring young voices on board as we make big decisions that will set the course for our sector for years to come.

The first UNWTO Global Youth Tourism Summit confirmed that the young talent is there. So too is the determination to make a difference. For one week in Italy, we brought together some of the brightest young minds, to hear their concerns, but above all, their vision for the sector. This was a landmark first – for the young people, for UNWTO and for the tourism sector as a whole. It put young people in the driving seat. And it gave them a unique opportunity to engage directly with the sector’s leaders, including business heads and Ministers of Tourism.

Young people must not only be beneficiaries of tourism’s restart, but they must also be active participants in it

Out of the week came the Sorrento Call to Action, a call from the young participants to have a greater say in the decisions that will affect them whether as tourists themselves or as beneficiaries of the sector. While only signed by the delegates present in Sorrento, it is a true representation of the determination of global youth not to be left on the side-lines anymore. It also makes clear the priorities of the next generation of tourists and tourism leaders, namely accelerating the shift towards greater sustainability, most notably through the development and promotion of green transport, for greater inclusion and respect for human rights, and finally ensuring that the benefits tourism delivers are enjoyed as widely and fairly as possible.

To put these ideas and ambitions into action, young people need to be given a seat at the decision-making table. Youth-led organizations need to be invited to monitor and assess the development of tourism and, if necessary, be in a position where they can hold governments and businesses to account.

Every part of the wide global tourism ecosystem will benefit enormously from embracing the power of youth. Right now, the planet is home to around 1.8 billion people between the ages of 10-24— the largest generation of youth in human history. Almost 90% of them live in developing countries, and in many of them they make up the majority of the population. It’s here that they can make the biggest difference, and tourism is without doubt the most powerful vehicle to drive transformation and growth.

As World Tourism Day 2022 makes clear in its theme, we now have an opportunity to rethink tourism – where we are and where we are going. Young people must be active protagonists in this vital process. The climate action movement has shown what can be achieved if young voices are brought on board. Here, young activists have helped set the agenda and pushed governments to raise their ambitions. Tourism must now do the same, and UNWTO is ready to lead by example.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Empowering Youth as a Key to a More Sustainable Tourism

 500 326 wttc2
By:

Empowering Youth as a Key to a More Sustainable Tourism - SUSTAINABLEFIRST.com - TRAVELINDEXSorrento, Italy, July 8, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The first Global Youth Tourism Summit concluded with a simulation of the UNWTO General Assembly where 120 participants from 57 countries and aged between 12 and 18 took part, and where voting on a “Sorrento Call to Action” took place.

This bold and ground-breaking vision for young people to be active participants in tourism’s restart and growth, as a pillar of sustainable and inclusive development was adopted with a majority of favourable opinions by the students taking part.

The document was drawn up based on the discussions of a series of workshops held at the Summit during the course of a week, where the young participants learned and shared their thoughts on some of the key issues facing tourism right now, among them innovation and digitalization, plastic pollution and the growing relevance of sport, culture and gastronomy for destinations.

For a lot of them this was the first time they travelled outside of their country, first time they travelled by plane eve, like for Saltanat Pazylbekova, 15 years old from Kyrgyzstan “This is my first time abroad, I travelled for 12 hours to get to Sorrento and it was worth every minute. I made friends from all over the world, what a great experience. I rarely get to speak English when back home so to come here and be able to share our views with like minded individuals and learn so much about themes that are so important to me is an experience I will never forget.”

Most of the workshops were interactive and one of the sessions that had greater impact on the young attendants was the plastic reduction workshop led by the sister duo Amy and Ella Meek, founders of Kids Against Plastic from the UK. “One of the most amazing realisations I had was at the end of the plastic reduction workshop. Plastic does not dissolve completely, it just breaks into small pieces, particles, and it stays in our ecosystem. Forever. This makes me feel frightened of what we are becoming, of what we are evolving into. I do have hope that we will find a solution, we have to!” said Dinara Zamantayeva, 15years old who travelled in from Kazakhstan.

A lot of the attendants took part in local competitions to be selected to come and represent their country. “I am so proud of myself for being chosen to come to the Summit. I learned so much during this week, I was particularly inspired by Salam Hamzeh Ghaith the CEO of Smallword Foundation and all the work she does with children.” said Nhelma Jacques, 16 years old from the Seychelles.

No matter how young these teenagers were, their sense of responsibility to make the world a better place was a common thread amongst all “I travelled from Austria on a night train, I worry about the impact of travelling on the planet and my carbon footprint. I think about my impact all the time, it is so hard to change the way we live. It would be much easier to just continue to live the way we do but that’s not an option. The climate change workshop we did is the one that marked me the most, I loved how it was all explained in a simple manner, by people of our generation. It made it so much more relatable – everyone understood the message. It’s in our own hands to change the future.” stated Elana Bertalan, 15 years old from Austria.

The “Sorrento Call to Action” goes beyond recognizing that the voice of youth must be consulted in policymaking and instead states that young people now need to active participants in every stage of the decision-making process across the whole of the tourism sector.

The General Assembly simulation opened with high-level interventions both in person and via video messages from His Holiness Pope Francis, Italian Minister for Tourism Massimo Garavaglia, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio, Italian Minister for Youth Policies Fabiana Dadone, and the UN Envoy for Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake.

Zurab Pololikashvili, mentioned that “The Global Youth Tourism Summit is a hugely
important first, for UNWTO and for our sector, and that young talent from every region
will be supported to give them a stage to voice their ideas about tourism’s future.”

Massimo Garavaglia emphasized Italy as being the proud hosts of this first ever event
and encouraged the young people present to become the responsible travelers of
tomorrow and to keep their optimism for making their dreams a reality.

Jayathma Wickramanayake highlighted the importance of promoting the active
engagement of young people as agents of transformational change, challenging the
status quo, and realizing the Agenda 2030.

People, planet and prosperity
Three pillars are enshrined in the Sorrento Call to Action: People, Planet, and Prosperity.
For people, for example, the young signatories call for the safeguarding of human rights,
especially of persons with disabilities through adequate tourism strategies and policies.
For the planet, the issues of food waste, plastic pollution, climate change mitigation,
and biodiversity preservation are flagged up. Finally, for prosperity, poverty reduction,
upgrading digital skills, and creating more employment opportunities are voiced by the
young participants.

The Call to Action states that “decision-makers must empower the youth, providing them
with opportunities to voice their concerns” while also working to it “stimulate education
to ensure responsible travelers and professionals.” At the same time, it recognizes the
historic significance of the first Global Youth Tourism Summit and calls on UNWTO to
hold annual summits and to work with its Member States on national events.

Mafalda Borea is the Editor-at-Large of TravelIndex Group media and Founder & Chair of SustainableFirst.com Linkedin

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Peace and Solidarity Celebrated at Global Youth Tourism Summit

 500 277 wttc2
By:

Peace and Solidarity Celebrated at Global Youth Tourism Summit - TRAVELINDEX - UNWTOSorrento, Italy, July 7, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The first Global Youth Tourism Summit concluded by showcasing the power of tourism for youth empowerment, international solidarity and peace.

Drawing the landmark event to a close, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili joined UNWTO Director for Europe, Alessandra Priante, in thanking the 130 young delegates for their active participation. Valeria Mazza, UNWTO Ambassador for Responsible Tourism and the ‘godmother of GYTS’, also urged the participants, who came from 57 countries, to “follow their own paths in life” and to serve as advocates for tourism themselves as they return to their home communities.

Following this the Ukrainian National Folk Ensemble “Veryovka”, directed by maestro Carlo Ponti Jr, performed for an audience of high-level guests including the Ambassador of Ukraine to Italy, Mr Yaroslav Melnyk, the UN’s envoy for youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake, UNWTO Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism, Didier Drogba, Minister of Tourism of the Maldives, Abdulla Mausoom, and founder of the Small World Foundation, Ms Salam Hamzeh Ghaith. Participating through special messages to the young protagonists were Giorgio Armani – himself a UNWTO Special Ambassador for Responsible Tourism – and Sophia Loren, whose son, Carlo Ponti, led the musical celebrations.

Finally, in an act of solidarity, the night ended with presentations to organizations which are performing goodwill and charitable work, namely the Los Angeles Virtuosi, the MSC Foundation, Didier Drogba Foundation, Pokrova Association, and finally the UEFA Foundation.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Didier Drogba Connects Sport and Tourism in Youth Summit Masterclass

 500 297 wttc2
By:

Didier Drogba Connects Sport and Tourism in Youth Summit Masterclass - TRAVELINDEXSorrento, Italy, July 3, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO Ambassador of Responsible Tourism and footballing legend Didier Drogba helped bring the first Global Youth Tourism Summit to an inspiring close with a special masterclass for more than 120 young delegates.

The masterclass was the culmination of three days’ worth of intense and interactive discussions where leading figures from across the fields of gastronomy, sport, and business, shared their visions for sustainable tourism and personal testimonies leading up to their own success.

Addressing young delegates from 57 countries, the Ivorian made clear the links between tourism and sports, both sectors with the power to bring hope and opportunity for all, including across Africa. Mr Drogba engaged in an honest and open dialogue covering many topics ranging from his personal journey to fame, the importance of giving back through his own philanthropic Foundation, and the vital role of tourism as a driver of mutual respect, sustainability, and for bringing together sports fans from all over the world.

Like UNWTO, Drogba is empowering global youth and so helping to build a more sustainable and resilient future for us all

“In my career, I was lucky enough to travel widely: from Lagos, to Shanghai, London, and Sarajevo, just to mention a few, and meeting people from different traditions was one of the things that brought me the most joy,” he said.

Working towards a common goal

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili added: “As a UNWTO Ambassador, Didier Drogba brings the drive and energy he showed on the football pitch to promoting the power of tourism for growth and development. Like UNWTO, Drogba is empowering global youth and so helping to build a more sustainable and resilient future for us all.”

The inaugural Global Youth Tourism Summit was organized by UNWTO in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism of Italy and the Italian National Tourism Agency (ENIT). It was open to young people aged 12 to 18, giving them a unique platform to engage with tourism leaders from the public and private sectors and to develop the skills and knowledge they will need to become leaders themselves.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Scaling-Up Tourism Action at UN Ocean Conference

 500 273 wttc2
By:

Scaling-Up Tourism Action at UN Ocean Conference - CONSERVATIONWORLD.com - TRAVELINDEXLisbon, Portugal, July 1, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism has the potential to lead the shift towards a circular and regenerative blue economy, the UN Ocean Conference has been told.

UNWTO centred the discussions on tourism in a special Tourism Ocean Action side event of the Conference, held this week in Lisbon. Organized alongside the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme and in collaboration with the governments of Portugal and Kenya, the discussions highlighted the strong incentive that tourism provides for ocean conservation.

As part of its responsible recovery, tourism needs to play a more active role in protecting coastal and marine environments

Tourism’s role in coastal conservation

Addressing the Conference, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Our wellbeing depends on a healthy ocean. As part of its responsible recovery, tourism needs to play a more active role in protecting coastal and marine environments. That’s why we are taking steps to shift to a more circular and resilient tourism model, and the benefits of this will be felt far beyond the sector itself.”

High level representatives from Portugal, Kenya and the Republic of Fiji including the Minister of Economy and Maritime Affairs of Portugal, H.E. Antonio Costa Silva; the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya, Hon. Najib Balala; the Minister of Commerce, Trade Tourism and Transport of the Republic of Fiji, Hon. Faiyaz Koya; presented frontrunning tourism policies and stressed the importance of finding a balance between the environment and the economy and jobs creation through tourism. The UN Resident Coordinator for the Maldives and UNEP’s Ecosystem Division Director also took part in the side event.

“As we implement the sustainable tourism action plan 2020 – 2023, we are promoting changes in consumption behaviour, looking at the circularity of materials and at the efficiency in the use of resources, while supporting tourism companies adopt ESG and connecting marine protected areas with tourism” said H.E. Antonio Costa Silva, Minister of Economy and Maritime Affairs of Portugal.

Key ocean and climate initiatives outlined

In particular, the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, including its five pathways “measure, decarbonize, regenerate, collaborate and finance” and the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, which supports the sector’s readiness to the upcoming international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution, were put forward as effective tools to accelerate tourism ocean action and new signatories to the latter were announced.

“The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative supports readiness of the tourism sector to meet upcoming regulations, especially in light of the upcoming international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. To meet the real need for strong mobilization, the largest businesses need to also be engaged,” noted UNEP, Susan Gardner, Director, Ecosystems Division

Turismo de Portugal recalled having signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism alongside the European Travel Commission. The Travel Foundation reminded of the need to build the knowledge of tourism stakeholders, especially small and medium enterprises. The need to trigger investments at scale in the protection and regeneration of ecosystems was highlighted by private sector representatives from Iberostar Group, which presented its coastal health strategy, and NOAH Regen, which presented an innovative finance model to protect and regenerate blue carbon ecosystems, building on the side-event on “Blue Carbon Ecosystems for Regenerative Tourism” organized on the previous day in collaboration with Forum Oceano.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News