Tourism and The New Green Deal - Europe can take the lead

• Europe
• 24 Jan 2020

The role of tourism in the new European Green Deal was highlighted at the FITUR trade fair. On the back of the recent launch of the Green Deal, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) invited Ministers of Tourism from across Europe and representatives from the European Parliament and the European Travel Commission (ETC) to Madrid for a high-level conversation on the vital role the tourism sector will play if the ambitious sustainability goals are to be met.

The Green Deal will form an integral part of the Commission’s strategy to implement the UN’s 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals and pledges to make Europe the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050. Recognizing the role that tourism will play in achieving this, UNWTO used the occasion of FITUR to provide a platform for EU and non-EU stakeholders, including representatives from both the public and private sectors. Established at the start of a new five-year period for the European Commission, this platform will advocate for tourism to be a central part of the Green Deal.

The tourism sector has an obligation to use its unique power to lead the response to the climate emergency and ensure responsible growth.

 UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The tourism sector has an obligation to use its unique power to lead the response to the climate emergency and ensure responsible growth. UNWTO is committed to accelerating progress towards low carbon emission tourism, and I am delighted to see that, in this regard, UNWTO and the European Commission are on the same page.”

The Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain, the country that hosts UNWTO, Isabel Oliver, added: “A more prominent presence in the political structure of the European Union would allow the importance of tourism to be put on the agenda as a lever to achieve the challenges that European policy has identified, including the Green Deal.”

The FITUR event also provided a platform for Croatia, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, to present its priorities for tourism. Frano Matusic, Secretary of State for Tourism of Croatia, addressed his fellow Ministers and public and private sector leaders, highlighting his country’s commitment to sustainability and low-carbon growth.

Mr. Matusic, said: “Tourism is a significant economic factor in the world GDP, but at the same time it affects the preservation of cultural heritage, the environment, the labor market, infrastructure, etc. As these challenges are common to all Member States, it is important to address these issues in a systematic manner at the both European and global level. Implementation and promotion of sustainable development policies are the backbone of Croatia's EU Council Presidency in the field of tourism, and Croatia will therefore continue to strengthen its co-operation initiative precisely to ensure tourism's success in the future.”

According to the latest UNWTO data, the EU28 Member States received 577 million international tourists in 2019, a 3% increase on the previous year. In 2018, receipts generated by international tourism generated 407 billion euros across all 28 states, around 33% of the world total. The UNWTO data also shows that Europe continues to be the leading global region for tourist numbers, welcoming 51% of all arrivals in 2019.  

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• UNWTO: In Conversation “The future of sustainable tourism in the framework of the EU Green Deal”

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UNWTO Joins Support of Albania’s Post-Earthquake Recovery

• Europe
• 15 Jan 2020

The international tourism community, led by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has shown their solidarity with Albania as the country works to recover from the November 2019 earthquake.

The earthquake of 26 November resulted in a large number of victims and caused unprecedented damage to buildings, infrastructure and livelihoods. In response, UNWTO joined the Ministry of Tourism of Albania for a special ‘Summit on Tourism for Solidarity and Sustainability’ this week.

High-level officials from the United Nations specialized agency joined Prime Minister Mrs. Edi Rama and Albania’s Minister of Tourism and Environment Mr. Blendi Klosi as well as representatives from neighboring states across the Adriatic-Ionian region to discuss the role of tourism in leading recovery from a humanitarian crisis. Best practices were shared and the role of both the public and private were also analyzed in detail.

Opening the event, UNWTO Executive Director Mr. Zhu Shanzhong commended the authorities on the successful organization of the conference, “particularly given the recent tragic events that hit Albania”. He added: “Time and again, tourism has proven itself as a pillar of resilience and a driver of economic recovery, and UNWTO welcomes Albania’s clear determination to harness the power of the sector to help the country recover from the recent earthquake and start welcoming visitors from around the world once again.”

As UNWTO begins its Year of Tourism and Rural Development, the Organization underscores the role tourism can play in driving economic recovery in Albania’s rural communities.