Canary Islands Joins Observatory Network as Members Unite to Provide Data for Tourism’s Recovery

• All Regions
• 21 Oct 2020

The Canary Islands has been confirmed as the latest member of the growing International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), overseeing the responsible development of tourism worldwide. The announcement came as INSTO, an initiative of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) held its annual meeting, bringing together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

Since its establishment in 2004, the network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories has steadily grown in both size and influence. Now, as its members help guide tourism’s recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it met virtually for the second time since the start of the current crisis. The annual meeting provided more than 100 international experts with a platform for open dialogue about the future direction of tourism and on the support destinations need to maintain their efforts to place sustainability at the heart of future growth. 

Warm welcome to new member  

The Tourism Observatory of the Canary Islands, one of Europe’s most popular destinations, will join the other 30 INSTO members in monitoring and measuring tourism and providing clear, objective data to guide evidence-based decision making.

UNWTO warmly welcomes the Canary Islands into our global network of observatories. This demonstrates the Islands’ strong commitment to tourism as a force for sustainability and development

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “UNWTO warmly welcomes the Canary Islands into our global network of observatories. This demonstrates the Islands’ strong commitment to tourism as a force for sustainability and development. It will facilitate the generation of more and better evidence of the economic, environmental and social impacts that tourism has on the Canary Islands.  

Ms. Teresa Berástegui Guigou, Vice-Minister of Tourism for the Canary Islands, added: “The incorporation of the Canary Islands into the UNWTO International  Network of Sustainable Observatories  takes place at a crucial and decisive moment for the global tourism sector, due to the health crisis and the growing importance of working both on the sustainability of destinations, and on the generation of tourism knowledge for decision-making.”

Immediate concerns and long-term objectives  

A range of pressing issues were discussed during the annual INSTO meeting, with inputs from the public and private sectors and from civil society, including academia. Specific issues addressed included measuring the needs of destinations, emerging public health indicators, and varying tourism products in order to mitigate the social and economic impacts of the current crisis.  

The meeting also focused on ongoing issues for INSTO members, including measuring the satisfaction of both tourists and residents of tourists destinations, assessing and improving governance, and identifying how combined national and local actions are paving the way for a sustainable response, resilience and recovery.

Related Links

• Download the press release in PDF
• UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories
• UNWTO Tourism Data Dashboard
• Global Tourism Crisis Committee Meets Again: Coordination Vital Ingredient for Recovery
• INSTO website: 2020 Global INSTO Meeting

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Sustainable Tourism Observatories of Asia and the Pacific Meet to Discuss Effective Monitoring of Tourism Data

• All Regions
• 28 Nov 2019

Siem Reap, Cambodia, 25 November 2019 – The International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hosted its latest Asia Workshop in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with representatives from 10 nations contributing to key discussions on the effective monitoring and management of tourism destinations.

As tourist numbers continue to rise across the Asia and the Pacific region, Member States of UNWTO are taking the initiative in using data to ensure such growth is properly and responsibly managed. Among those represented at this latest Asia Workshop were Observatories based in Australia, China and Indonesia. Joining them were stakeholders from the public and private sectors and from academia.

UNWTO and the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, in collaboration with the Monitoring Centre for UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Observatories (MCSTO), jointly organized this INSTO Asia Workshop to further advance dialogue among both established and potential observatories across Asia-Pacific region. The talks also helped strengthen knowledge about the regular monitoring of tourism at the local level.

Representatives from China shared their experiences of how observatories there were established, as well as on how they are managed and perform their monitoring role with the measurement of key issues (local satisfaction with tourism, economic benefits, employment, tourism seasonality, energy and water management, sewage management, solid waste management, governance). Alongside this, representatives from Indonesia discussed how observatories can act as an instrument for implementing tourism policies related to sustainable tourism development, while one of UNWTO’s latest INSTO members, the Australia’s South West Tourism Observatory presented their experience of establishing a new observatory.

Senior tourism officials from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Maldives and Nepal were also in attendance and signalled their commitment to joining UNWTO INSTO in the future. Japan and the Republic of Korea also demonstrated strong interest in establishing observatories. This was welcomed by Dr. Dirk Glaesser, Director of Sustainable Development of Tourism, and by Mr. Harry Hwang, Deputy Director of Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific.

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New Australia’s South West Sustainable Tourism Observatory joins the UNWTO Observatory NETWORK (INSTO)

• All Regions
• 2 Oct 2019

Madrid, 2 October 2019 – Australia’s South West Sustainable Tourism Observatory, has officially become the latest member of the World Tourism Organization’s International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). The Observatory will work to monitor tourism in the south-west region of Australia and help guide its sustainable development.

The Australia’s South West Sustainable Tourism Observatory (ASWTO) is the first of its kind in the country and will be hosted by the Tourism Research Cluster of Curtin University supporting the formulation and implementation of sustainable tourism policies, strategies and management processes through continuous and systematic monitoring of sustainability indicators.
Welcoming the announcement, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said: “Sustainable Tourism Observatories play a key role in helping destinations monitor tourist arrivals and then manage them in the most efficient and sustainable way possible. We are delighted to welcome the first Australian observatory into our growing global network and I am confident we will be able to work together to advance responsible, sustainable tourism across the South-West region of Australia.”
Western Australian Minister for Tourism Paul Papalia added: “WA’s South West region is one of WA’s most popular tourism destinations - one that holds a special place in the heart of all West Australians. This destination is renowned for its spectacular coastline, stunning forests and world-class food and wine. Preserving the South West region’s natural beauty while also supporting sustainable tourism development is of the utmost importance to the State Government.”                                                   
More about the INSTO Network:
The UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) was originally created in 2004. Through the application of technology and the therefore improved data landscape that is key for policy making in tourism, INSTO members strengthen not only local decision-making capacities and sustainable on the ground but play a key role in contributing to global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with relevant evidence.
Additional information:

• About the UNWTO Network of Observatories.
•  2019 Global INSTO Meeting, 22/23 October 2019.
•  Buenos Aires Tourism Observatory.
•  Presentation on the Buenos Aires Dashboard at the 2018 INSTO Meeting.

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PR No.: PR 17044

“New Zealand is an example of tourism sustainability and thus the incorporation of the Waikato Observatory to the UNWTO INSTO Network adds immense value to this global initiative,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.

“The Waikato Tourism Monitoring Observatory is a wonderful initiative that will provide valuable data over time to support the tourism sector to maximize its contribution to the economy, while ensuring our visitors enjoy high-quality experiences,” said Paula Bennett, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism of New Zealand.

New Zealand’s tourism sector is experiencing continuous growth and therefore requires an adequate measurement of tourism impacts. This observatory is crucial to providing tangible evidence for well-informed decision making in sustainable tourism development-related themes.

The Waikato Observatory seeks to support the strengthening of the world famous surfing town Raglan as a sustainable destination, while continuing to protect the unique landscapes and the biodiversity of Waitomo and its iconic tourist attraction the Waitomo Caves. Overall, the Waikato region received 357,000 visitors in 2015, most of whom were domestic visitors (approx. 200,000).

Due to an already existing strong sense of community and engagement of its members especially in the more mature seaside tourism town Raglan, the observatory will start with focusing its monitoring efforts on crucial socio-cultural aspects such as ‘local and visitor satisfaction’. Additional areas encompass ‘destination economic benefits’, ‘tourism seasonality’ and ‘development control’ in the short term, extending in the long-term to measurement activities related to waste management, housing issues, water supply, sewage  management, among others. 

INSTO is a network of tourism observatories monitoring the economic, environmental and social impact of tourism at the destination level, committed to regular monitoring of tourism in order to better understand destination-wide resource use and foster responsible tourism management. There are currently 18 observatories in operation worldwide.

Additional information:

About the UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories

The Waikato Monitoring Centre

About Waikato Region

International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

Contacts:

UNWTO Media Officer Rut Gomez Sobrino

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 / rgomez@unwto.org

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 / comm@UNWTO.org

 

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