Promoting Innovation and Sustainability as FITUR Returns

• All Regions, Europe
• 14 May 2021

At FITUR: The International Spanish Tourism Trade Fair (Madrid, 19-23 May 2021), UNWTO will ensure sustainability, innovation and responsibility are a central part of the conversation. FITUR was the last global in-person trade fair to take place before the COVID-19 pandemic, and is the first one to return, sending a clear message of the resolve of the tourism sector for a safe and responsible restart.

This year’s trade fair will continue the long-standing partnership between UNWTO and FITUR, with the United Nations specialized agency for tourism addressing the most pressing challenges currently facing the sector while also looking to the future and supporting the tourism talent of tomorrow.

Sustainable development takes the lead

The week kicks off with the 25 winners of the UNWTO SDG Global Startup Competition meeting for a special workshop on winning investment for scaling up. On Tuesday 18 May, the top entrepreneurs and innovators will be celebrated at the Royal Theatre in Spain. The hybrid event will celebrate the diversity of the award-winning ideas for advancing the sustainable development goals and the people behind them. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has commended UNWTO’s leadership in promoting innovation and will send a message to the winners.

Tourism for all

With FITUR officially opening on Wednesday 19 May, UNWTO hosts an expert meeting on Accessible Tourism featuring good practice in accessibility with a particular focus on tourism in rural and natural areas. Sustainability will be the focus of the UNWTO Affiliate Members meeting on Friday 21 May, giving its members - from the private sector, local and regional governments and academia - the opportunity to present their work, and to network both in-person and virtually.

Investment and innovation for development

The 12th edition of the Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR) will be held virtually on Thursday 20 May. The gathering of public and private sector tourism leaders will focus on the development of effective strategic partnerships, and on assessing possible travel and tourism trends post-pandemic.

On the same day, UNWTO will also feature in FITUR Talent, highlighting the increasingly important role innovation can play in delivering tourism education and training for all. Similarly exploring the potential of technology to create opportunities, this time for destinations, the Round Table on Tourism and Cinema, will see UNWTO and Netflix come together to assess the role TV and film can play in promoting locations and experience.

Related links

• Download the news release in PDF
• UNWTO Activities FITUR 2021
• Programme FITUR (PDF)

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Tourism’s Role in Rural Development Across Africa Highlighted at UNWTO Forum Event at FITUR 2020

• Africa
• 28 Jan 2020

The role of tourism and investment in African development took centre stage at the FITUR trade fair in Madrid this week as sector leaders joined the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the 11th edition of INVESTOUR (Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa) which saw the participation of over 20 African Ministers and Heads of delegations.

Supported by Casa Africa (Representing the Spanish Government), the International Tourism Fair of Madrid (FITUR) as UNWTO’s official partners and in collaboration with Côte D’Ivoire, this latest meeting of Investour focused on the continent’s potential on creative industries as well as on the potential benefits of diversifying the tourism sector, in particular as a means of driving rural development. Against the backdrop of FITUR, the round table discussion explored the untapped potential of gastronomy tourism and the growing African fashion industry, particularly with regards to attracting international tourists. In addition, a session was also dedicated to the presentation of 10 projects aiming at the development of tourism in various countries in Africa, such as South Africa, Zambia, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte d’Ivoire.

The creative industries, including a thriving fashion industry, culture and gastronomy are all increasingly relevant ‘pull factors’

The forum came on the back of the UNWTO General Assembly unanimously approving its Agenda for Africa 2030, a roadmap and strategic framework for tourism for sustainable development and inclusive growth. At the same time, the 11th edition of INVESTOUR was held during UNWTO’s Year of Tourism and Rural Development, with this theme the main focus of discussions between tourism leaders from both the public and private sectors.

Opening INVESTOUR 2020, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The creative industries, including a thriving fashion industry, culture and gastronomy are all increasingly relevant ‘pull factors’. They are encouraging visitors to see another side to Africa. Investment in these sectors will pay dividends, not just for investors themselves but, equally or more important, also for African society as a whole.”

Also during FITUR, UNWTO released its latest data on international tourist numbers and trends. The data shows that international arrivals to African destinations reached 71 million in 2019 and grew by 4% when compared with the previous year. This trend is expected to continue over the years ahead, and UNWTO has stated its commitment to supporting its African destinations grow their tourism sectors responsibly and sustainably. Next month, Côte d´Ivoire will host the 1st UNWTO Global Tourism Investment Forum in Africa, a landmark event for the continent and its tourism sector.

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