PR No.: PR15058

As a labour intensive sector, tourism’s capacity to attract, retain and develop human capital is essential to its competitiveness. The first UNWTO Forum on Talent Development in Tourism, organized by the UNWTO Knowledge Network jointly with UNWTO Affiliate Member University of Medellín, brought together Colombian tourism students with representatives from the private and the public sector from around the world to explore how to better match supply and demand of skilled labour in tourism.

“Tourism and hospitality students, such as the young people gathered here today, are the future of the tourism sector. Today, our sector offers excellent entry points into the job market, but we need to improve its capacity to provide opportunities for long-term careers in order to help maximize tourism´s contribution to inclusive development”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, opening the forum.

The same challenges were highlighted by Sandra Howard, Vice Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Colombia, who emphasized the essential role of young tourism students in shaping and upholding the Colombian tourism sector´s success. 

As part of the forum, students from different Colombian institutions had the opportunity to exchange views with the UNWTO Secretary-General on issues such as the inclusion of tourism ethics and sustainability in academic curricula, the role of innovation in tourism, and the sector’s ability to foster community development and peace. 

During the panel discussions, participants emphasized that talent development in tourism depends on the joint efforts of tourism educators and institutions; the private sector; and public bodies. They further pointed out the important role that international organizations can play in this regard. Above all, participants stressed the need to provide opportunities for the development, implementation and reward of creativity and innovation by the workforce and prospect recruits.

At a subsequent meeting, the UNWTO Knowledge Network agreed to an action plan to advance the issues identified during the presentations and discussion at the Forum.

Useful links:

UNWTO Forum on Talent Development in Tourism: Investing in Youth 

Photos from the Forum on Flickr

University of Medellín

21st UNWTO General Assembly

Contacts:

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

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

Ministerio de Turismo de Ecuador

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

EL MINISTERIO DE TURISMO DE ECUADOR RATIFICA SU COMPROMISO CON LA CONSERVACIÓN DE LAS ISLAS GALÁPAGOS

A nombre del Ministerio de Turismo de Ecuador y, en respuesta a las noticias que distorsionan los contenidos referentes a la nueva Ley Orgánica de Régimen Especial de la Provincia de Galápagos (LOREG), reiteramos  nuestro compromiso con la conservación de este Patrimonio Natural del Estado y de la Humanidad. Tal es el valor del Archipiélago para el Gobierno Nacional que en la Constitución de la República se lo considera como un territorio con régimen especial para garantizar su conservación.
Respecto a la construcción de Infraestructura de Alojamiento Turístico informamos que, por primera vez, en Ecuador se han establecido estándares tan exigentes como los aprobados por el Pleno del Consejo de Gobierno del Régimen Especial de Galápagos, los cuales están dirigidos a proteger el medio ambiente, el bienestar del turista y la inclusión de la población local especialmente en una zona tan sensible como es Galápagos.
Dado que las Islas Galápagos por su naturaleza no soportan el turismo masivo, el sistema de manejo de visitantes nacionales y extranjeros que ha establecido el Parque Nacional Galápagos es fundamental elevar la calidad de los servicios para, de esa forma, incrementar los beneficios para los habitantes de Galápagos. Como Ministerio de Turismo pensamos en el desarrollo de este sector con una visión de largo plazo, para que éste sea una fuente de beneficios intergeneracional.
Hasta el momento existen únicamente 20 proyectos de infraestructura en etapa de evaluación y ninguno de ellos ha sido aprobado. En este portafolio de proyectos en análisis no existen megaconstrucciones o canchas de golf como se ha mencionado en algunos artículos de prensa.
Para poder obtener los permisos de construcción, los proponentes deben cumplir con 118 parámetros o regulaciones, que establecen condiciones ambientales, turísticas y sociales. Los parámetros sociales exigen contratación de residentes permanentes, de servicios locales y capacitación, todo esto con la finalidad de garantizar la participación e inclusión de la población local.
De igual manera dentro de los parámetros ambientales se exige un manejo responsable de desechos sólidos, tanto en la construcción como en la operación, así como mantener estándares ambientales respecto del entorno y el suelo donde se realizará la construcción. Estos parámetros buscan que los nuevos proyectos que existan, se desarrollen en condiciones de sostenibilidad, siempre precautelando los frágiles ecosistemas de las Islas.
Actualmente las regulaciones son bastante claras y determinan que toda nueva infraestructura de alojamiento no podrá exceder 35 habitaciones, es decir que máximo podrán tener una capacidad de hospedaje para 70 personas. El tamaño de cada construcción será resultado de un estudio minucioso y detallado. Nuevamente se resalta que las megaconstrucciones no están permitidas.
Es importante mencionar que la inversión extranjera nunca ha estado prohibida. Tanto la Constitución de la República (Artículo 9), como el Código Orgánico de la Producción, Comercio e Inversiones (Artículo 17), mencionan que habrá un trato no discriminatorio entre nacionales y extranjeros, quienes gozarán de igualdad de condiciones y no serán objeto de medidas arbitrarias o discriminatorias. Esto se mantiene en la nueva Ley, sin embargo, se otorga un derecho preferente a los residentes de Galápagos.
La Autoridad Nacional Ambiental, por su parte, ha ratificado que: “La LOREG vigente no pone en riesgo los límites del Parque Nacional y la Reserva Marina de Galápagos, los límites se mantienen, y existen las facultades para aumentar las áreas protección.” Por lo tanto está claramente prohibida la construcción de nueva infraestructura hotelera en las áreas protegidas de Galápagos, es decir en el 97% de su territorio terrestre.
De hecho, la nueva LOREG, vigente desde el 11 de junio de 2015, fortalece aún más la regulación de la infraestructura hotelera como señala el Art. 72:
“Art. 72.- Construcción de infraestructuras de alojamiento turístico.- Se prohíbe la construcción de nueva infraestructura de alojamiento turístico o la ampliación de la infraestructura existente que no cumpla con lo dispuesto en el Plan de Regulación Hotelera que establezca la Autoridad Nacional de Turismo.
El Plan de Regulación Hotelera deberá realizarse en función del estudio de capacidad de acogida del medio físico ambiental realizado por la Autoridad Ambiental, estudios de carácter socio cultural, de oferta turística y otros estudios que para el efecto se establezcan. Deberá estar aprobada por el Consejo de Gobierno del Régimen Especial de la Provincia de Galápagos y articularse con el plan de Desarrollo Sustentable y Ordenamiento Territorial del Régimen Especial de la Provincia de Galápagos.”
Finalmente, mencionar  que el Ministerio de Turismo al momento cuenta únicamente con la página de ecuador.travel para promoción del Destino Ecuador al consumidor y a la industria turística. No existe al momento una página para inversiones turísticas específicamente, por lo que cualquier información que exista en redes no es oficial.
El Ministerio de Turismo ratifica su compromiso de velar por la calidad de los servicios turísticos, la inclusión de la población local y la conservación de las Islas Galápagos, es por esto que permanecerá firme como ente rector para regular las nuevas obras de infraestructura turística que se realizarán en esta área de ser el caso.
Para mayor información favor contactarse con el Ministerio de Turismo de Ecuador con Lorena Gavilanes Directora de Información Turística a: lgavilanes@turismo.gob.ec
 

PR No.: 15025

Political support at the highest level is a critical factor in advancing tourism’s role in national economic and development policies. Including Honduras, a total of 73 countries from around the world have now so far received the Open Letter on Travel and Tourism.

During an official four-day visit to the country, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai presented President Juan Orlando Hernández with the Open Letter on Travel and Tourism. On the occasion, the President confirmed tourism’s importance “as a national priority for Honduras” and thanked UNWTO for supporting the country in its efforts to spur its international economic integration through tourism.

"Having tourism as a priority in your agenda is a very important and wise decision", said Mr. Rifai. “Honduras has a rich and diverse tourism offer that combines many market niches; I witnessed several projects clearly committed to a sustainable and responsible tourism development”, he added.

David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC says  “Travel & Tourism made up 15.9% of Honduras’ economy last year and that contribution is expected to rise by nearly 6% a year over the next decade.The Government’s commitment to the sector will bring rewards to the country in terms of increased visitors, spend and employment opportunities”.

Mr. Rifai also stressed that “Honduras must see itself as a connector between north and south, between the different cultures of Central America and as part of the greater circle of the Americas all together”.

The official visit by the UNWTO Secretary-General to Honduras, hosted by the Director of the Honduran Institute of Tourism (IHT), Emilio Silvestri, also included visits to different tourism development projects and initiatives such as the Mayan archeological sites in Copán, the colonial town of Gracias and the Caribbean town of Roatán, host of the forthcoming first UNWTO Global Observatory on Sustainable Tourism in the Americas.

On the occasion of the visit, 12 Honduran tourism companies and associations signed the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, pledging to implement and promote its ethical principles in their policies and operations, further demonstrating Honduras’ recognition of tourism’s, social, cultural and economic importance.

In 2014, Honduras received 885,000 international tourists, an increase of 2.6% in comparison to 2013.

Useful links:

UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism
UNWTO Regional Programme for the Americas
Global Observatories for Sustainable Tourism
Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
WTTC

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.: 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