PR No.: 15093

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:

• The aviation industry and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have set aligned goals of improving fuel efficiency and stabilizing net aviation CO2 emissions from 2020 through carbon neutral growth
• The aviation industry also set a long-term goal to halve aviation’s net CO2 emissions by 2050, compared with a 2005 baseline

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:

• Building new cruise ships with energy efficiency design standards for a 30% reduction in CO2 by 2030
• Implementing Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans for route planning and maintenance to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions since 2013
• Utilizing special lighting to reduce power consumption by up to 20%
• Painting hulls with special coatings to reduce fuel consumption by 5%

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:

• Airports Council International (ACI)
• Cruise Lines Association International (CLIA)
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• International Air Transport Association (IATA)
• Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
• World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
• World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

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 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 

PR No.: PR15077

“It's exciting to see the work of the agencies up close in areas such as childhood, sustainable tourism, refugees or decent work, and also to analyse what has been achieved and what remains to be done,” said a group of visitors to the exhibition 'United Nations, a Global Village'.

In the first joint action of this kind to be held in Spain, visitors were able to write messages and convey their wishes to the United Nations as well as to interact with the staff of the agencies that are represented in Spain. One of the most moving celebrations was the mass release of balloons bearing the wishes that had been written by visitors throughout the day. Hundreds of people joined the countdown led by journalist Teresa Viejo, who moderated the meeting with members of civil society. The event featured a video message from Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the organization, as well as discussions among representatives of agencies present in Spain and civil society organizations regarding the relevance of the UN and the challenges it faces.

“All of the United Nations agencies share a common objective: to build a better world for all. We will continue to work together to make a difference,” said Márcio Favilla, Executive Director of the Madrid-based World Tourism Organization, the only specialized agency with its permanent headquarters in Spain. Susana Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was present among the representatives of the agencies and said that “we are in a time of challenges but also of opportunities, and Agenda 2030 with the Sustainable Development Goals constitutes a tool to unify voices and to end poverty and hunger in the world.”

In addition to acknowledging the progress accomplished, the discussion also included critical reflection and touched upon strategies for improving the United Nations system. Mercedes Ruiz-Giménez, President of the Spanish NGDO Platform, insisted upon “the need to provide more transparency to the system and to increase the presence of women in leadership posts.”

In the closing ceremony, Francesca Friz-Prguda, the UNHCR representative in Spain, recalled the human tragedy of refugee movements and the need to work in a coordinated manner. Just in 2015, Friz-Prguda pointed out, “some 700,000 people have arrived in Greece and Italy, mostly as refugees; more than 3,100 drowned. There are currently 60 million people displaced by conflict in the world, the highest figure ever recorded by UNHCR; and this does not include the five and a half million Palestinian refugees with whom the UNRWA is working”.

The soprano Pilar Jurado, ILO ambassador for the eradication of child labour, closed the event together with the boys and girls of the Las Rozas Choir by singing ‘Nana para dormir a un niño que no descansa’, now considered an anthem in the fight against child labour.

This joint celebration of all the UN agencies represented in Spain is part of the programme of activities to commemorate this 70th anniversary, which include a visit by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who will be in Spain from 28 to 30 October.

 

Useful links:

70th anniversary of the United Nations

Official celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the UN in Spain

 

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 

PR No.: PR15080

“This year is a most important one for humanity: the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other mechanisms (...) The UN family in Spain has to play a key role (...) to help the Spanish people to make a commitment to the SDGs,” said the Secretary-General.

“We are honoured to have the presence of the UN Secretary-General in Madrid today, and to celebrate this anniversary with him and all the agencies,” said Márcio Favilla, Executive Director of the World Tourism Organization, the only agency with its permanent headquarters in Spain, which organized the event in conjunction with all the representatives of the United Nations system in Spain.

During his stay in Madrid, Ban Ki-moon, the top official of the United Nations, met with King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, among other authorities, and attended the main event marking the 60th anniversary of Spain’s entry, held at the Royal Palace.

This eleventh visit to Spain by Ban Ki-moon—the last was in 2013—came at a key moment for Spain, as it is currently one of the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council and held the chairmanship of the UN body during the month of October. 

 

Agencies, funds and programmes represented in Spain

UNWTO - World Tourism Organization

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UN Millennium Campaign

United Nations Support Base

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization

UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

ILO - International Labour Organization 

WHO - World Health Organization

UN-Water

UN-Habitat - United Nations Human Settlements Programme

WFP - World Food Programme

Global Compact Network Spain

UNICEF Spain

UNU - United Nations University

 

Contacts:

UNWTO Media Officer - Ruth Gomez Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8160 

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

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

PR No.: 15082

As explained by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, who led the presentation with the Head of Georgian National Tourism Administration, George Chogovadze and the Georgian Ambassador to Spain, Zurab Pololikashvili, “Wine tourism represents a growing segment with immense opportunities to diversify demand. In the case of Georgia, this potential is well-known and we are very pleased to be holding the first UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in the country”.

“Georgia’s unique wine-making traditions date back 8,000 years and are part of UNESCO’s intangible heritage, creating the ideal base to host the Wine Tourism Conference. Herewith, the country’s recent success in attracting a growing number of tourists, its development in terms of tourism products, branding and marketing present an excellent platform to share best practices, experience and knowledge¨ said Dimitry Kumsishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

Gastronomy and wine have become key components for experiencing the culture and lifestyle of any destination and a growing travel motivation. To foster the development of this segment UNWTO has launched in September 2015, the UNWTO Gastronomy Network.

 

Additional info:  

To know more about the Affiliate Members Programme at the UNWTO, click here

For more information about the Conference, click here

UNWTO AM Report Vol. 4 'Global Report on Food Tourism' 

 

 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.: 15081

The inclusion of youth in the tourism sector through training and employment opportunities, resource and energy efficiency, and capacity building for SMEs are among the key areas covered by the agreement. UNWTO and the EBRD will also cooperate in identifying best practices and in knowledge sharing.

The EBRD President, Sir Suma Chakrabarti, said “Tourism is a major contributor to the economies of many EBRD countries of operations. This partnership will enable both organisations to work together, with both the public and private sector,  to  promote sustainable and inclusive practices in the tourism industry. The EBRD aims in particular to promote youth inclusion in the industry in regions where young people are facing substantial challenges in participating in the economy due to skills mismatches and limited access to training opportunities.”

“The tourism sector is making a fundamental contribution to the current economic recovery and can play a leading role in advancing inclusive development, namely in terms of job creation. By partnering with the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction we will be able to create opportunities to generate more and better employment opportunities while supporting the transition of the sector to a more sustainable path” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

The agreement was signed in the framework of the EBRD’s commitment for supporting inclusive and sustainable tourism in the countries of operation of the Bank, particularly in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region and the Western Balkans. The cooperation will benefit from UNWTO’s experience and expertise in the areas of education and training through the UNWTO.Themis Foundation and of sustainability through initiatives such as the Hotel Energy Solutions (HES) and the Collaborative Actions for Sustainable Tourism (COAST) project.

The EBRD, owned by 64 countries and two intergovernmental institutions, is supporting the development of market economies and democracies. Follow them on the web, Facebook  and Twitter.

 

Useful links:

European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) 

Tourism Driving Trade, Fostering Development and Connecting People

UNWTO / European Commission Directorate-General Development and Cooperation Guidebook “Sustainable Tourism for Development”  (available in English and French)

 

Contacts:

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

EBRD principal media adviser: Svitlana Pyrkalo
Tel: (+44) 207 338 7105