PR No.: PR 16009
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and its partners of the Nearly Zero Energy Hotels (NEZEH) initiative, have presented the prototype of a new tool to engage the tourism sector in energy efficiency. The online tool was unveiled at the NEZEH International Conference held in the framework of FITUR Green (Madrid, 20 January 2016).
The neZEH toolkit is a practical instrument for hotel owners to assess their energy consumption levels and identify appropriate measures for energy efficiency improvement and reaching nearly-zero levels. This tool will be available for users by mid-March, 2016.
The neZEH initiative aims to support the tourism sector in Europe to comply with European Union regulations for nearly zero buildings (nZEB) according to which all 28 EU countries will need to reach nZEB levels by 2020.
“As tourism is a force for good, we need to ensure the promotion and development of sustainable, resilient and responsible tourism, which requires vision, innovation, correct planning, good management, sound monitoring and the inclusion of all the relevant stakeholders, including consumers” said Mr. Márcio Favilla, UNWTO’s Executive Director for Operational Programmes and Institutional Relations at the opening of the Conference.
The project, co-financed by the European Union, builds upon the UNWTO Hotel Energy Solutions, which has since 2011 engaged 20,000 users worldwide and 1,500 hotels in Europe in better understanding how to become energy efficient and more competitive.
NEZEH is developed within the principles of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns and particularly of the 10YFP Programme on Sustainable Tourism (10YFP STP), led by UNWTO together with the governments of Morocco, Republic of Korea and France, with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The initiative will provide technical expertise to the private sector while fostering tourism public policies in the areas of energy efficiency and help the tourism sector in its contribution to the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About NEZEH
The nearly Zero Energy Hotels – neZEH - is a project co-funded by the European Commission in the frame of the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme, aiming to accelerate the rate of large scale renovations of hotels into nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) by providing technical advice to committed hoteliers and demonstrating flagship nZEB projects in the European hospitality sector.
The neZEH partnership is composed by 10 partners across seven European countries: Technical University of Crete, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems Lab (Greece) - the coordinator - World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Network of European Region for a Sustainable and Competitive Tourism (NECSTouR), Sustainable Innovation (Sweden), Creara Consultores S.L. (Spain), Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar (Croatia), Istituto Superiore sui Sistemi Territoriali per l’Innovazione (Italy), Agency of Braşov for Energy Management and Environment Protection (Romania), Federation of European Heating and Air-conditioning Associations (Netherlands) and ENERGIES 2050 (France).
Useful links:
NEZEH Nearly Zero Energy Hotels
UNWTO Sustainable Development of Tourism Programme
PR No.: 16011
“One of the most used tools in the promotion of destinations” this is how Shopping Tourism was described at the opening of the 2nd Conference on this segment, organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on the occasion of the Spanish Tourism Fair (FITUR) (22 January 2016).
Shopping Tourism “is a highly relevant component for travelers when choosing and preparing their trip” underlined Yolanda Perdomo, Director of the Affiliate Members Programme at UNWTO.
The event included the presentation of the latest figures, trends and strategies on shopping tourism and of how this segment is transforming the promotion of destinations worldwide. Jörn Gieschen, Researcher at the Instituto de Empresa (IE) and the MasterCard Observatory on Premium Markets and Prestige Products underlined that “shopping tourism is intimately related to city travel which constitutes 58% of the total”.
"There is an additional concept about shopping tourism: that of small and local shopping experiences which according to our research is much more attractive for travelers than the big global brands" he added. One of the trends shared was the so-called ‘Bleisure’ - the combination of Business and Leisure. “58% of business travelers add a day or even a weekend to their business trip” he said.
Maria José Pérez, from 'Madrid 7 stars', an initiative that engages 300 brands, commented that 80% of Chinese tourists who travel to Madrid position shopping as a major motivation.
Eva Ruiz Cendon, Director of Marketing at Mastercard indicated that "despite the fact that 80% of payments worldwide are done in cash, electronic and mobile payments offer excellent opportunities for businesses.” She also shared the company’s
Priceless Cities Programme, that engages cities such as Madrid and New York. The initiative facilitates leisure activities in relevant destinations in cooperation with brands and shops.
One of the most awaited interventions of the 2nd Conference on Shopping Tourism was Michel Durrieu, Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Foreign affairs and International Development in France, who introduced the issue of sustainability linked to shopping tourism, mentioning a recent innovation: the digital certificate.
Speaking about the most visited city in the world, Paris, Durrieu added that shopping and gastronomy are major criteria to decide on destinations, and therefore should be included in any strategy. Diversity, price and quality, opening hours, customer orientation in shops, handicrafts and souvenirs quality were mentioned by the Director of Tourism in France, as key aspects to advance in shopping tourism.
Ángela Castaño, Head, Tourism Product Area, Turespaña, Hugo Rovira, General Director, NH Hotel Group, Luciano Ochoa, General Manager, Innova Tax Free and Elena Foguet, Business Director, Value Retail were among the participants during the conference.
Additional information:
UNWTO Global Report on Shopping Tourism
Contact details:
UNWTO Media Officer: Rut Gómez Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications and Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
PR No.: 15100
Developed in cooperation with the Tourism Agency of the Balearic Islands (ATB), the Global Report on Cultural Routes and Itineraries of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) provides key information about current trends and presents case studies in the field of the development of cultural routes, with an emphasis on the importance of protecting, preserving and conserving these itineraries.
“Culture is intimately linked with tourism and this report reflects not only the importance of the protection and preservation of tangible and intangible heritage in tourism development, but also the UNWTO’s commitment to these values through initiatives such as the training programmes we carry out or the existence within our Organization of the Silk Road Programme,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.
In addition to featuring how routes of a cultural nature add value to the experience of travellers, the Global Report on Cultural Routes and Itineraries also highlights the positive impacts generated by these itineraries in terms of sustainability and benefits for local communities. The publication also reinforces the initiative launched by UNESCO in 2005 consisting of the creation of a specific category in the classification of Heritage Sites devoted to cultural routes by highlighting the relationship between culture and tourism and the importance of public-private cooperation in the development of such routes.
Gabriel Barceló Milta, Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Balearic Islands and head of its Ministry for Innovation, Research and Tourism which is responsible for UNWTO Affiliate Member ATB, said: “This collaboration with the Organization is an opportunity to motivate other destinations to publicize their cultural routes, which not only constitute a valuable asset of a destination, but also play a key role in enabling visitors to better enjoy their experience and get to know other cultures and traditions.”
The report was prepared by the UNWTO and the Tourism Agency of the Balearic Islands with the collaboration of nearly 20 UNWTO Affiliate Members, which shared their case studies: Adventure Travel Trade Association, Associação de Hotéis Roteiros de Charme, Bournemouth University, Comune di Venezia, DASTA, Hungarian National Tourist Office, IREST, Madison MK, Observatorio Turístico del Estado de Guanajuato, ProColombia, Região de Turismo do Algarve, SENATUR, Singerman and Makón, STPP, Turismo de Bogota, Universidad del Salvador, Universitaria Los Libertadores, University of Bologna, University of Business in Prague and University of Molise.
Additional information:
Download the publication “Cultural Routes and Itineraries” (available in English only)
Contact:
UNWTO Media Officer: Rut Gómez Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
PR No.: 15095
UNWTO and the Mountain Tourism Cluster have signed an agreement to collaborate on issues of seasonality in mountain destinations (Madrid, Spain, 4 December, 2015).
The agreement comes at a particularly relevant moment, as the international community celebrates International Mountain Day on 11 December. This year’s celebrations focus on the promotion of mountain products as a tool to boost local economies. Tourism can play a fundamental role in this regard as one of the main economic sectors in many mountain destinations.
Seasonality is a common issue for a large number of tourism destinations worldwide, resulting in important economic challenges in terms of the profitability of companies and wealth generation in destinations. Seasonality also has considerable environmental and socio-cultural impacts including congestion management, use of natural resources, seasonable employment and social pressure.
A new UNWTO Affiliate Member, the Mountain Tourism Cluster works to find innovative and creative ways of overcoming seasonality and create sustainable development-related strategies in mountain destinations.
“Given the impact and complexity of seasonality in tourism, it is fundamental to ensure that innovative programmes are put in place by public and private sectors that increase visitation during off peak months and foster demand all year around. We are thus very pleased to be collaborating with the Mountain Tourism on research and actions aimed at this important challenge,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
The agreement is another important step in UNWTO’s work in the area of mountain tourism. Within this framework, UNWTO and the Government of the Principality the Andorra have co-organized the World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism since 1998. In March 2016, the 9th edition of this bi-annual event will explore the way in which sport and adventure activities can help mountain destinations maximize the socio-economic benefits brought by tourism all year round.
Additional information:
Know more about the World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism
3rd UNWTO Conference for Overcoming Seasonality
Contacts:
UNWTO Media Officer: Rut Gómez Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
PR No.: 15093
With the aim of enhancing the links between tourism, economic growth and inclusive development in Europe, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, addressed the Committee on Transport and Tourism of the European Parliament (Brussels, Belgium, 3 December 2015).
During his visit to the European Parliament, Mr. Rifai emphasized that the European Union (EU) has an opportunity to capitalize on the potential that tourism has to promote socio-economic growth, recalling that despite economic and geopolitical challenges, international tourism continues to grow above average for the fifth consecutive year, reaching over 1.1 billion international tourists in 2014.
“I believe that we have many reasons to be optimistic about the future of the tourism sector in Europe, the most visited region in the world, and its capacity to deliver economic growth and development,” he said.
István Ujhelyi, Vice-Chair of the Transport and Tourism Committee and responsible for the Tourism Task Force, recalled that tourism is one of the key socio-economic policy areas in Europe in view of its capacity to create sustainable jobs, one of the main objectives of both the Members States and the EU institutions. "We need more concrete policy actions and projects where tourism is visible, as the industry of peace these days," he added.
During his address, Mr. Rifai called upon the EU to take the lead in three key areas in terms of tourism development – the fight against climate change through sustainability-related initiatives, entrepreneurship and business competitiveness and travel facilitation in view of its proven impact on economic growth.
“Europe is already well advanced in supporting energy efficiency and the use of renewable technologies and UNWTO is very happy to have contributed to these efforts with the Hotel Energy Solutions project, which supports SMEs in reducing carbon emissions, and the ongoing Nearly Zero Energy Hotels project” said UNWTO Secretary-General.
The issue of travel facilitation was also addressed by Mr. Rifai, who said that “security should and is a priority to us all; yet despite current challenges, Europe can and should continue to lead the way in travel facilitation, particularly from the growing markets of China, Brazil and many others in Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. It makes no sense to invest millions in promoting Europe as a number one destination to the world, if then Europe’s doors to the world are closed.”
On the occasion of his visit, Mr Rifai also met Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs and Mr. David-Maria Sassoli, Vice-President of the European Parliament, to discuss the cooperation between UNWTO and the EU institutions.
Useful links:
Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament
UNWTO Regional Programme for Europe
Contacts:
UNWTO Media Officer Rut Gomez Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
On the eve of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21, taking place in Paris next week, the members of the Global Travel Association Coalition (GTAC) reiterated the industry’s commitment to contribute to fight climate change and expressed their hopes for successful talks.
Speaking as Chairman of GTAC, David Scowsill, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), said:
“The Travel & Tourism sector expresses its hope for a successful outcome to the talks in Paris and reiterates that our organizations, working together as the Global Travel Association Coalition, are committed to make a meaningful and long term contribution to fighting climate change.
“Travel & Tourism contributes nearly 10% of the world’s GDP and supports one in eleven of all jobs on the planet. Over one billion people cross international borders each year, a number expected to reach 1.8 billion by 2030. This growth in Travel & Tourism will bring about enormous social and economic development across the world, particularly for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States. We have a serious responsibility to ensure that we decouple the growth of the sector from its impact on our environment to ensure that tourism can continue to contribute to socio-economic inclusiveness and development in the long term.”
Notes
Important industries which comprise the Travel & Tourism sector have previously stated their long-term commitments to alleviating climate change:
Aviation:
Since the above goals were set, ICAO Member States and the aviation industry, have been working to make them a reality through the implementation of a basket of different measures: new technology and alternative fuels; improved operations; better use of infrastructure; and the development of a global market-based measure to enable the industry to stabilize its CO2 emissions from 2020. Furthermore, ICAO is developing an Aeroplane CO2 Emission Certification Standard that will be established in 2016. Through invaluable partnerships and cooperation with the aviation industry and other organizations, half of ICAO’s Member States have prepared and submitted national action plans to reduce aviation CO2 emissions to ICAO.
Cruise/shipping:
Sector-wide:
The World Travel & Tourism Council published “Leading the Challenge on Climate Change” in 2009 to support the global climate talks backing international agreements wherein its Members, the leading Travel & Tourism companies globally, committed the sector to cutting its CO2 emissions by 50% from 2005 to 2035. Earlier this month, this commitment was reiterated in new report: “Travel & Tourism 2015 – Connecting Global Climate Action”
Members of the Global Travel Association Coalition (GTAC) are:
The Global Travel Association Coalition exists to promote a better understanding of Travel & Tourism’s role as a driver of economic growth and employment, and to ensure governments develop policies which contribute to the profitable, sustainable and long-term growth of the industry. Under its goal to provide a stronger consolidated ‘One Voice’, the leaders of GTAC continue to align their messaging and efforts in order to amplify awareness of the viability of the Travel & Tourism sector. An Agenda for Growth and Development was launched in April, 2015 consolidating the common efforts to be followed by all.
Contacts:
UNWTO Media Officer: Rut G. Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91-567-8100
PR No.: 15092
The accuracy and reliability of online consumer reviews was the main focus of the 16th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics. The Committee also discussed the issue of child protection in tourism and all inclusive holidays (Paris, France, 16-17 November 2015).
The 16th meeting of the Committee, chaired by Pascal Lamy, counted with the presence of Matthias Fekl, French Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad, who said “We are very pleased to host the 16th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics here in Paris, and grateful that all Members could travel and continue with the meeting despite the sad circumstances”.
“UNWTO and the Committee want to send a message of solidarity to France after the dramatic attacks of Friday. Fear and terror will not influence our activities but make us more determined in our efforts to promote the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and its values of peace, human rights respect, mutual understanding and respect of diversity”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, addressing the meeting.
Over the course of two days meeting, the Committee reviewed its priority areas of work, including child protection, accessibility, fair models of all inclusive holidays, and the availability of reliable and objective information to tourists. The discussion was focused on the ethical impact of the current market changes including the new business models and online platforms as well as the need for increased advocacy of the Code and its core messages, with a special focus on child protection.
Talking about the impact of consumers’ reviews on tourism, Pascal Lamy, WCTE Chair and former Director General of the World Trade Organization said “Trust is the key element in web reviews of most internet rating systems; however it is important that there are verification mechanisms in place to ensure that consumers and business are not deceived”.
Issues of safety and security were also discussed, although this is not a topic directly addressed by the Committee, it expressed its concerns about the impact of the recent dramatic events on tourism, namely in terms of jobs and social stability.
On the occasion, Club Med, a pioneer in all inclusive family holidays, and Jetwing Hotels, a Sri Lankan hotel leading company, signed the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, joining more than 440 companies and associations around the world already committed to promoting the ethical standards embedded in the Code.
The 17th meeting of the Committee will take place in April 2016.
Note to editors:
The World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE) is the independent body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET), a set of principles designed to guide sustainable tourism development. The Committee is a subsidiary organ of the UNWTO General Assembly, to which it reports directly. Members are elected in their personal capacities and not as officials of governments or representatives of their countries.
Committee Chairman: Pascal Lamy (Former Director General of the World Trade Organization); Members: Mr. I Gede Ardika (Former Minister of Tourism of Indonesia), Mr. Yoshiaki Hompo (Former Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency), Ms. Fiona Jeffery (Former Chair of the World Travel Market), Mr. Khelil Lajmi (Former Minister of Tourism of Tunisia), Mr. Jean Marc Mignon (President, International Organisation for Social Tourism), Ms. Tanja Mihalic (Head of Institute of Tourism, University of Ljubljana), Mr. Ron Oswald (General Secretary, International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers´ Association), Mr. Eugenio Yunis (Executive Vice President, Federation of Tourism Enterprises of Chile); alternate members: Mr. Hiran Cooray (Chairman, Jetwing), Ms. Günnür Diker (Secretary-General, Association of Turkish Travel Agents), and Ms. Suzy Hatough (Director of Dar Al-Diafa for Tourism Human Resources Development Consultancy).
Useful links:
UNWTO Ethics and Social Responsibility Programme
World Committee on Tourism Ethics
UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
UNWTO Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
Contacts:
UNWTO Media Officer Rut Gomez Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218