PR No.: 14091

The meeting, to be held for the first time in Haiti (19-22 May, Port au Prince) , will serve as an occasion for the country to showcase its recent progress in infrastructure projects, ranging from roads to airports, in support of positioning Haiti’s destinations on the international tourism map.

“The Minister of Tourism of Haiti, Stephanie Villedrouin, has been paving the way to generate new tourism opportunities to generate jobs and support the country’s economy, against the backdrop of political support by President Martelly, for tourism as a driver of improved livelihoods in Haiti”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “As we transition towards the new Sustainable Development Goals after 2015, this meeting could not have been announced more timely, underscoring the potential of tourism as a natural ally for socio-economic progress”, he added.

Especially for the world’s Small Island Developing States (SIDS), tourism has been singled out as a key activity for economic progress and social cohesion. In 2013, 41 million international tourists visited the SIDS, generating US$ 61 billion in foreign earnings. Island States have a natural competitive tourism advantage, for half of which the sector accounts for more than 40% of the value of all exports of goods and services. International tourism is both a primary source of foreign exchange earnings with an important economic impact, equating more than 20% of GDP in several of the SIDS.

The Americas accounts for a 16% share of international tourists worldwide (168 million) and a 20% share of receipts (US$ 230 billion). In 2013, international tourist arrivals to the Americas increased by 3% while export earnings from tourism grew by 6%.

Haiti was able to substantially increase international arrivals and tourism revenues, growing 20% and 32% between 2012 and 2013, respectively.
 

Useful links:

UNWTO Regional Programme for the Americas

Tourism in the Americas – 2013 edition

Tourism in Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) – Building a more sustainable future for the people of islands
 

Contacts:

UNWTO Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218

PR No.: PR 14090

The meeting, to be held for the first time in Haiti (19-22 May, Port au Prince) , will serve as an occasion for the country to showcase its recent progress in infrastructure projects, ranging from roads to airports, in support of positioning Haiti’s destinations on the international tourism map.

“The Minister of Tourism of Haiti, Stephanie Villedrouin, has been paving the way to generate new tourism opportunities to generate jobs and support the country’s economy, against the backdrop of political support by President Martelly, for tourism as a driver of improved livelihoods in Haiti”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “As we transition towards the new Sustainable Development Goals after 2015, this meeting could not have been announced more timely, underscoring the potential of tourism as a natural ally for socio-economic progress”, he added.

Especially for the world’s Small Island Developing States (SIDS), tourism has been singled out as a key activity for economic progress and social cohesion. In 2013, 41 million international tourists visited the SIDS, generating US$ 61 billion in foreign earnings. Island States have a natural competitive tourism advantage, for half of which the sector accounts for more than 40% of the value of all exports of goods and services. International tourism is both a primary source of foreign exchange earnings with an important economic impact, equating more than 20% of GDP in several of the SIDS.

The Americas accounts for a 16% share of international tourists worldwide (168 million) and a 20% share of receipts (US$ 230 billion). In 2013, international tourist arrivals to the Americas increased by 3% while export earnings from tourism grew by 6%.

Haiti was able to substantially increase international arrivals and tourism revenues, growing 20% and 32% between 2012 and 2013, respectively.

 

Useful links:

UNWTO Regional Programme for the Americas

Tourism in the Americas – 2013 edition

Tourism in Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) – Building a more sustainable future for the people of islands (in English)

 

Contacts:

UNWTO Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 

 

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 

PR No.: PR 14077

Seasonality is a major challenge for many tourism destinations worldwide due to the major impacts it has on their economic, environmental and socio-cultural structures. In order to support destinations to overcome seasonality, UNWTO has developed its first prototype on seasonality, a model that can be replicated worldwide.

Punta del Este 365 brings together representatives from the public and private sector along the whole tourism value chain showing how innovative public-private partnerships can successfully develop a year-round tourism destination. The project focuses on sports tourism, meetings and the link between gastronomy, agriculture and tourism.

“Punta del Este 365 embodies UNWTO’s fundamental belief that interdisciplinary collaboration is key to sustainable tourism development”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. “I am confident that Punta del Este 365 will be a practical tool to help destinations around the world find effective solutions to tackle seasonality, and I would like to thank the Government of Uruguay, our partners in Uruguay and the UNWTO Affiliate Members involved for their engagement in such a leading and innovative project”, he added.

The Minister of Tourism and Sport of Uruguay, Liliám Kechichián, welcomed the project, stressing its important contribution to consolidate tourism as the country’s main economic sectors: “Tourism revenues have quadrupled over the past years and now exceed US$2 billion. Tourism is a key economic activity for the development of Uruguay”.

Note to editors

Developed by UNWTO’s Affiliate Members Programme, the UNWTO Prototyping Methodology provides a framework where public and private sectors gather to share knowledge and create tourism projects that improve competitiveness in an ethical and sustainable environment. Based on transparency, flexibility and rigor, the UNWTO Prototyping Methodology designs a "road map" based on initial research and analysis, incorporating the possibility of governance models, tourism product development, positioning and communication strategies and brand identity - all in compliance with the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

Useful links:

Punta del Este 365

Video presentation

UNWTO Affiliate Members Programme

 

Contacts:

UNWTO Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 /

 

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 

PR No.: PR 14073

“Paraguay commits to continue strengthening tourism, a sector that contributes to improve the quality of life of our people”, said the acting President of Paraguay, H.E. Vice President Juan Eudes Afara Maciel in accepting the Open Letter. “Tourism is a key job creator, directly but also in related sectors and supports small, medium and micro enterprises. At the same time, tourism is a significant tool to promote peace and international stability”, he added.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, expressed the Organization’s confidence in that “the tourism sector will continue to be a priority for the development of Paraguay, a route to a brighter future of your people and a stage to promote your culture and the beauty of your country”.

David Scowsill, President and CEO of WTTC, says; “The receiving of the Open Letter cements the continued recognition by the new administration of the amazing impact that Travel & Tourism has on a country’s social and economic prosperity. Paraguay has wonderful natural assets to share with the world and its strong growth forecasts for Travel & Tourism will bring new jobs and wealth to the country”.

On the occasion of the presentation of the Open Letter, 14 associations representing Paraguay’s private sector, adhered to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, committing to maximise tourism’s benefits while minimising its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies.

Paraguay has been one of the key international tourism performers in South America in recent years, almost doubling the number of international tourist arrivals from 341.000 in 2005 to 610.000 in 2013. More importantly, the income generated by international tourism grew from US$ 78 million in 2005 to US$ 275 million in 2013.

 

Note to Editors:

The UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter outlines Travel & Tourism’s value as one of the world’s largest generators of jobs, a powerful driver of socio-economic growth and development and a key player in the transformation to the Green Economy. To date, the Open Letter has been received by 68 heads of state and government.

In signing the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, companies pledge to uphold, promote and implement the values of responsible and sustainable tourism development championed by the Code. They further undertake to report on their implementation of the Code's principles in their corporate governance to the World Committee on Tourism Ethics. 

To date, 312 companies and associations from around the world have signed the Private Sector Commitment to the Code of Ethics.

 

Useful links:

UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism

UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism 

Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

 

Contacts:

 

UNWTO

Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 

 

WTTC

Head of Communications: Emma Coulthurst
Tel: (+44 ) 207481 6483 

 

PR No.: 14045

The Meeting was chaired by the Vice Minister for Tourism of Colombia, Sandra Howard Taylor, who underscored the commitment of the Americas to further strengthen its tourism sector as well as its contribution to the international tourism agenda. Hosting this year’s official World Tourism Day Celebrations in Mexico (27 September) and the 21st Session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Medellín, Colombia in 2015, are but two examples of this political commitment, she said.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, commended the fact that tourism is a clear priority for Colombia recalling that the inclusion of the sector in its National Development Plan 2011-2014 is the recognition of “tourism’s capacity to foster regional integration and development and promote the image of Colombia”. Mr Rifai also welcomed Colombia’s commitment to international tourism, highlighting that Colombia is “the only country hosting a UNWTO General Assembly twice in such a short period of time, after holding the 17th Session in Cartagena in 2007.”

The Seminar on Public-Private Partnerships: Developing Specialized Tourism Products and the International Forum on Sustainable Development of Tourism and Innovation, both held in conjunction with the Commission Meeting, looked into how the sector can advance innovation and incorporate sustainability along its value chain. Participants in the Forum underscored that tourism development should be based on sustainability criteria, highlighting in particular the role of public awareness, education and training as keys to moving forward sustainability in tourism.

“Both tourism destinations and companies need to adapt to a constantly evolving market, while safeguarding natural and cultural tourism assets and ensuring that the benefits from tourism are shared with the host communities in a fair and equitable way”, said Mr. Rifai. “Sustainable tourism development is the challenge ‘par excellence’ of our sector, but it will only remain an ideal without the concerted effort of all tourism stakeholders”, he added.

The 58th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the Americas will be held in Haiti, which will host this gathering for the first time.

The Americas accounts for a 16% share of international tourists worldwide (168 million) and a 20% share of receipts (US$ 230 billion). In 2013, international tourist arrivals to the Americas increased by 3% while export earnings from tourism grew by 6%. 
 

Note to editors:

Established in 1975 as subsidiary organs of the General Assembly, the UNWTO Regional ‎Commissions normally meet once a year. They enable member States to maintain ‎contact with one another and with the Secretariat between sessions of the General ‎Assembly, to which they submit their proposals and convey their concerns.
 

Useful links:

57th UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas

 

Contacts:

UNWTO Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 

 

De izquierda a derecha: Sandra Howard Taylor, viceministra de Turismo; Miguel Mirones, presidente de la Junta Directiva de Miembros Afiliados de la OMT; y Taleb Rifai, secretario General de la Organización Mundial de Turismo.

· Ayer inició la jornada de trabajo de la Organización Mundial de Turismo para las Américas con el seminario de miembros afiliados.

· Secretario General de la OMT destacó ventajas y retos en la especialización de productos turísticos.

Cartagena de Indias, 24 de junio de 2014.- Colombia es un ejemplo de innovación en el turismo y Cartagena un lugar apropiado para discutir el desarrollo de productos turísticos especializados. Con estas palabras el secretario General de la Organización Mundial de Turismo (OMT), Taleb Rifai, instaló el seminario del programa de miembros afiliados, jornada que abrió oficialmente la agenda de trabajo que los países miembros de esta Organización desarrollan en Cartagena y que se extiende hasta el jueves.

Los miembros afiliados son entidades públicas y privadas, organizaciones no gubernamentales, instituciones educativas, entre otros, que tienen relación con el turismo y cuya experiencia contribuye a la promoción del turismo responsable y accesible.

Durante el Seminario –que se centró en la colaboración público-privada para la configuración de productos turísticos especializados– los expositores coincidieron en que el turismo está fundamentado en experiencias y, por ello, la diferenciación y la especialización son elementos clave para el futuro del sector.

“Hoy en día la gente viaja en busca de diversidad para llenar su curiosidad acerca de las diferentes culturas, tener nuevas experiencias pero, más que nunca, para encontrar la autenticidad: ese recuerdo único”, resaltó Rifai.

Ante este panorama, el evento se enfocó en cómo traducir estas necesidades en productos turísticos competitivos mediante el trabajo articulado y concertado de los sectores público y privado.

Sobre este particular, la viceministra de Turismo de Colombia, Sandra Howard Taylor, destacó como ejemplo la labor que adelanta el Comité de Directivos del Fondo Nacional de Turismo (Fontur), conformado por representantes de los dos sectores, y en cuyo marco se definen las asignaciones pertinentes y redistributivas de los recursos del turismo. “Estos recursos benefician tanto a los sectores públicos de las regiones, como a los prestadores de servicios turísticos y comunidades en general”, indicó.

En su intervención, el secretario de la OMT explicó que dentro de las ventajas de la especialización de productos turísticos figuran la diversificación de la oferta y la atracción de nuevos segmentos de mercado; la diferenciación que se logra de los destinos “en un mundo de creciente mercantilización del turismo”; la lucha frontal que se logra sobre la estacionalidad; y las nuevas oportunidades de negocio que genera para las empresas locales más pequeñas.

“Además, el desarrollo de productos turísticos especializados también puede hacer una importante contribución a la preservación del medio ambiente. Un turista que visita un parque nacional, embarcándose en una aventura en el desierto o en la exploración de las profundidades del mar Caribe, seguramente será un embajador extraordinario de la necesidad de preservar esa riqueza natural. Al mismo tiempo, no debemos olvidar que los ingresos generados por estas actividades son cada vez más importantes para financiar proyectos de conservación”, puntualizó el Secretario de la OMT.

Finalmente sostuvo que esta especialización de productos también trae retos en los que son fundamentales las alianzas público-privadas ya que “son el único camino posible si un destino apunta a desarrollar exitosamente una estrategia de especialización”.

Entre estos desafíos figuran adecuar la infraestructura, investigar a fondo las necesidades de los consumidores, crear estrategias de promoción segmentadas y dirigidas, y contar con una mano de obra cualificada.

 

GALERÍA DE IMÁGENES:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.784143774959918.1073741953.144621955578773&type=3&uploaded=88

PR No.: PR14043

The UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter calls on heads of state and government around the world to acknowledge tourism's key role in delivering more sustained and balanced growth and prioritize the sector higher in national policies in order to maximize its potential.

In a private meeting, Ms. Bachelet received the letter from UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, and the President & CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), David Scowsill.

On behalf of the Government of Chile, the Minister of Economy, Luis Felipe Céspedes, stated that "the Open Letter poses great challenges for Chile. I want to underscore that this government is committed to promote tourism as a strategic pillar, not just because it represents 3.48% of our GDP, but also because it is essential in building our national and territorial identity".

Tourism in Chile accounts for 280.000 direct jobs, 3.5% of all exports and 25% of service exports of the country. The recently launched economic programme 'Chile de todos.' (Chile belongs to all) includes tourism as one of the pillars of economic development for the country stressing the capacity of the sector to promote community development, generate multiplier effects in other economic sectors, advance cultural dialogue and protect natural resources.

"I am very happy to see the Chilean government's strong support to the tourism sector, and I am confident that Ms. Bachelet's leadership will further reinforce Chile's competitiveness and already remarkable tourism offer", said Mr Rifai, adding "I am especially glad to see the priority awarded to tourism and culture, an area identified as a key priority of UNWTO, and we remain at the disposal of Chile to support this important agenda".

Mr Scowsill said: "The Chilean Government's commitment - through this letter - to promoting Travel & Tourism to the world community as a means of sustainable development comes at a critical time. Travel & Tourism is a major contributor to economic growth, to trade, to job creation, to diversification of the economy and to social well-being in Chile. It is vital that the Travel & Tourism industry in Chile gets the right support and investment at government level and from regulatory bodies to allow the Industry to continue to thrive. Chile has already implemented progressive policies to maximize the growth of Travel & Tourism; for example, introducing open skies agreements and privatizing LAN. But there is still more that can be done. I urge the public and private sectors to work together to create jobs and drive economic growth."

The third most visited destination in South America, Chile welcomed 3.6 million international tourists in 2013. Between 2000 and 2013, the number of international tourist arrivals grew by over 100%, while international tourism receipts grew from US$ 819 million to US$ 2 billion, an increase of nearly 180%, in the same period.

Note to editors:

The UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter outlines Travel & Tourism’s value as one of the world’s largest generators of jobs, a powerful driver of socio-economic growth and development and a key player in the transformation to the Green Economy. To date, the Open Letter has been received by 63 heads of state and government.

Contacts:

UNWTO

Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
 

WTTC

Communications Director: Toby Nicol

Tel: (+44 ) 207481 6483

www.wttc.org

Innovation has a central role in advancing tourism and its contribution to sustainable development worldwide. This was the focus of the UNWTO Knowledge Network Global Forum which gathered participants from the public and private sector and academia to further connect theory and practice in tourism (Mexico City, Mexico, 28- 30 May 2014).

Under the theme Innovation in Tourism: Bridging Theory and Practice, the second edition of the UNWTO Knowledge Network Global Forum focused on innovation in tourism intertwining technology, market shifts, product development, and governance. The Forum further stressed the central role that public-private partnerships should play at all levels of tourism development - global, regional and local.

Opening the event in representation of Mexico´s Minister of Tourism, the Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Tourism Development, Carlos Joaquin Gonzales, considered the Forum “a milestone event” and committed to use the outcome of the Forum to “help make innovation the central focus of tourism.”

Participants highlighted that tourism innovation goes beyond technological advancements to include also to non-quantifiable areas such as social advancements within organization and companies, namely the leadership and managerial role of entrepreneurs at all levels in both the public and private sectors. A panel discussion with three UNWTO Ulysses Prize Laureates,  professors Don Hawkins, Jafar Jafari and Kaye Chon, emphasized that tourism research can foster innovation as long as it responds to supply and demand needs and works to disseminate benchmarks. Panelists also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships with academia that promote a culture of innovation.

“The Forum has given us a glimpse of the future of innovation and tourism and set the foundations to link theory and practice”, said Carlos Vogeler, UNWTO Executive-Secretary of Member Relations. “UNWTO is committed to transforming these foundations into actions by collaborating with our members, so that innovation can drive a tourism development model that benefits all”, he added.

During the Forum, a total of 42 papers on the topics of tourism products and experiences and competitiveness and technology were presented in response to the Forum’s Open Call for Papers. The Forum’s Scientific Committee selected the three best papers which will be presented at the annual UNWTO Awards Symposium (Madrid, Spain, January 2015): “Productos turísticos innovadores que eleven la competitividad de los Pueblos Mágicos del Estado de México” by Rosalía López Silva, Hazael Cerón and Eduardo Daniel Puente Santos;  “Scandinavia Destination Sustainability Index” by Jonas Wilstrup and Guy Bigwood; and “Turismo creativo, modelo conceptual y aplicación práctica en comunidades rurales de Ecuador” by Sergio Molina Espinosa and Fernando Mandri Bellot.

The event was jointly organized by UNWTO and the Anahuac University and gathered more than 400 participants from 41 different countries.
 

Useful links:

2nd UNWTO Knowledge Network Global Forum - Innovation in Tourism: Bridging Theory and Practice

Contacts:

UNWTO Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
 

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218