PR No.: PR12047
The Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations, CEHAT, has signed the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, pledging to uphold, promote and implement its values in their policies and operations (Madrid, Spain, 7 July 2015).
The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is UNWTO’s core policy document and serves as a roadmap for the development of responsible and sustainable tourism. Adopted by the UNWTO General Assembly in 1999 and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, it contains a set of principles designed to maximize the socio-economic benefits of the tourism sector while mitigating any negative impacts.
CEHAT consists of 64 regional associations, representing hotel chains, boutique hotels and tourist apartments across Spain. By signing the commitment, CEHAT commits to promote and implement the values championed by the Code, with a special focus on social, cultural and economic issues, as well as report their implementation to the World Committee on Tourism Ethics.
The signing took place at UNWTO’s Madrid headquarters, and was attended by the Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain, Isabel Borrego, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, and CEHAT President, Juan Molas Marcelles.
On the occasion, Mrs. Borrego highlighted the commitment of the Spanish tourism sector to improve social welfare and public awareness of tourism’s ability to contribute to such objectives. In this regard, she recalled tourism’s importance to Spain, where it has played a key role in economic recovery and the creation of wealth and jobs.
Mr. Rifai underscored the private sector’s key role in advancing responsible tourism: “It is with great pleasure that UNWTO welcomes CEHAT as a signatory of the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics. Without the private sector committing to economic, social and ethical responsibility, tourism cannot fulfill its potential as a vehicle for sustainable and inclusive development around the world, and we applaud you for taking a stand for a more ethical tourism sector”.
“It is a pleasure and a great responsibility for CEHAT to commit to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism promoted by UNWTO. We will certainly engage all our associate members, through their large network of hotels, in the promotion and implementation of the Code”, said Mr. Molas Marcelles.
In signing the Commitment, CEHAT joins 417 companies and associations from 57 countries which have signed the Private Sector Commitment to the Code of Ethics to date.
Useful links:
Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
World Committee on Tourism Ethics:
The Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations (CEHAT)
Contacts:
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 /
PR No.: 15046
Amadeus, a leading provider of technology solutions for the tourism sector, and UNWTO are joining forces to advance the use of innovative technology in tourism in areas such as education and multi-modality.
UNWTO and Amadeus, a UNWTO Affiliate Member since 2007, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to consolidate their partnership in several areas. This includes the development of a UNWTO Prototype on multi-modality – the door-to-door planning and ticketing of trips involving all possible transport options – to further integrate different means of transport between destinations around the world.
“Innovative technological solutions are fundamental for the tourism sector’s competitiveness and ability to create jobs and inclusive development worldwide. UNWTO is looking forward to working even closer with Amadeus, a highly valued Affiliate Member and key player in this field, to strengthen the ties between tourism and technology”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
”It gives me great satisfaction to strengthen our relationship and build upon our respective areas of expertise: technology and tourism. Amadeus is committed to strengthening the sustainability of the travel and tourism sector and already has many initiatives in two of the key agreed priorities, tourism education and innovation in technology. We look forward to amplifying these through the network of UNWTO affiliates and its events to shape the future of travel”, commented Tomás López Fernebrand, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of Amadeus IT Group.
UNWTO and Amadeus will also collaborate on issues of sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility and education through the participation of Amadeus in the UNWTO Talent Development in Tourism pilot project and in various UNWTO capacity building initiatives.
Useful links:
UNWTO Affiliate Members
Amadeus Corporate Social Responsibility
Amadeus video on multi-modality
Contacts:
UNWTO
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
AMADEUS
Roman Townsend, Global Corporate Communication Manager
Tel: (+34) 616 318 037
ABOUT UNWTO
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a United Nations specialized agency, is the leading international organization with the decisive and central role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. Its membership includes 156 countries, 6 territories, 2 permanent observers and over 450 Affiliate Members. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo and Flickr.
ABOUT AMADEUS
Amadeus is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (e.g. airlines, hotels, rail and ferry operators, etc.), travel sellers (travel agencies and websites), and travel buyers (corporations and travel management companies).
The Amadeus group employs around 13,000 people worldwide, across central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters), Nice (development) and Erding (operations), as well as 71 local Amadeus Commercial Organisations globally.
The group operates a transaction-based business model.
Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange under the symbol "AMS.MC" and is a component of the IBEX 35 index.
To find out more about Amadeus please visit www.amadeus.com,and www.amadeus.com/blog for more on the travel industry.
PR No.: PR 15042
UNWTO and the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in advancing tourism as a key driver of socio-economic growth and inclusive development (Madrid, Spain, 26 June 2015).
The MoU will enhance the cooperation between UNWTO and the Turkic Council in areas such as cultural tourism, including the development of the Silk Road, as a means to increase the competitiveness and diversification of the sector in the Member States of both Organizations.
The agreement was signed by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai and the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, Ambassador Mr. Ramil Hasanov, at the UNWTO Headquarters in Madrid, in the presence of the representatives of the Embassies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey to Spain.
“This MoU comes to reinforce the strong relationship we have with the Turkic Council”, said Mr. Rifai on the occasion. ”The Turkic Council Member States are valued Members of UNWTO, and I am confident that by joining forces we will be better able to harness tourism’s full potential as a key driver of jobs and inclusive development in our Member States”.
Ambassador Hasanov noted that “with the signing of the MoU between the two organizations, a joint and staunch step has been taken to contribute to developing the tourism sector along the traditional Silk Road, and that the Turkic Council is ready to organize joint events with the UNWTO to further this cooperation”. He added that “the Turkic Council is working hard to finalize the Turkic Council-Modern Silk Road Joint Tour Package which will provide a unique opportunity for curious travellers.”
The Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council) is an intergovernmental organization established in 2009 with the signing of Nakhchivan Agreement by the Heads of States of its Member States: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. As a new regional cooperation mechanism, it involves a wide range of areas from economy to transport, from sustainable development to education and from media to tourism with a view to accelerating cooperation, not only among its Member States, but also in the region. After the Fourth Turkic Council Summit at the level of Heads of State, hosted by Turkey on 5 June 2014 in Bodrum, on the theme of cooperation in tourism, the Council has increased its efforts to promote the tourism potential of its Member States while boosting regional collaboration in the tourism sector.
Useful links:
UNWTO Regional Programme for Europe
The Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States
Photos of the signing of the MoU
Contacts:
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
Tel: +90 212 283 16 44 (pbx)/ Fax: +90 212 283 16 86
PR No.: 15040
In a joint effort to advance sustainable tourism development in the Danube region, UNWTO and the countries in the Danube have agreed to establish a Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories in the region, under the auspices of UNWTO. The formal agreement was signed during an official visit of UNWTO’s Secretary-General to Bulgaria (Sofia, Bulgaria, 8 June 2015).
On the occasion of the visit, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, met with the President of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev, to discuss the cooperation between UNWTO and the country and how to strengthen Bulgaria’s tourism sector. During the meeting, Mr. Rifai commended the Bulgarian Government for setting up a Ministry dedicated to tourism.
“High-level political support has been key to the outstanding progress of the Bulgarian tourism sector in recent years. In 2014, more than 7 million international tourists visited Bulgaria, a new record, and a clear result of the political will to place tourism as a priority in the socio-economic development strategies of Bulgaria“ said Mr. Rifai.
The visit also included the signing of a Letter of Commitment between UNWTO and the coordinator countries of the priority area 3 on “promoting culture, tourism, people-to-people contacts” of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), representing 14 Member States, to establish a Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories under the auspices of UNWTO.
The Observatories will measure tourism’s social, economic and environmental impact along the Danube River and help define adequate sustainable tourism policies in the region. The Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories in the Danube will join the eight Observatories currently operating in China (seven) and the Aegean Islands of Greece. The agreement was signed by Nikolina Angelkova, Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria, joint coordinator country of EUSDR priority area 3, and Mr. Rifai, on the sidelines of the Meeting of the Danube Region - Sustainable tourism through cooperation with European funds and investments.
“The unique cultural and natural assets of the Danube region offer excellent opportunities for sustainable tourism development. I highly commend the Danube countries for taking a leadership role in launching this initiative with UNWTO”, said Mr.Rifai. ”With this network of observatories, the Danube Region is setting an example in Europe and beyond on how regional cooperation can advance sustainable development through tourism”, he added.
“Tourism is a main pillar in the economies of the countries from the Danube region. In the past year the Danube countries have been visited by over 120 million tourists, which generated revenues of over 70 billion euro. It is very important to focus our efforts on establishing the Danube brand as such and on becoming more recognizable worldwide, reaching distant markets in particular. I hope that together with our neighboring countries we will manage to efficiently use the available cross-border funding. Romania and Bulgaria can avail of 260 million euro; also, we have a joint project with Serbia which amounts to 34 million euro. A great part of these funds are targeted at tourism”, said Ms. Angelkova.
Mr. Rifai also met with the Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova, and prominent members of the Bulgarian private sector.
Note to editors:
The International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), formerly known as Global Observatories on Sustainable Tourism (GOST), supports policy makers to implement evidence-based tourism policies by systematically monitoring tourism’s environmental, social and economic impacts. Set up collectively with local stakeholders, the Observatories aim to ensure sustainable and resilient tourism growth while disseminating good practices and supporting capacity building in sustainability among tourism stakeholders.
The priority area 3 of the EUSDR brings together 14 countries "To promote culture and tourism, people to people contacts". Coordinated by Bulgaria and Romania, the other Member States are: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.
UNWTO has been supporting the Danube countries’ joint tourism development since 2011. UNWTO is an Observer of the EUSDR Steering Committee of the priority area 3, a regional initiative aiming to increase tourism competitiveness of Danube destinations and strengthen regional cohesion through sustainable tourism.
The Danube countries receive over 125 million visitors each year, or 11% of the world´s total.
Useful links:
International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO)
UNWTO Regional Programme for Europe
Danube Region Strategy priority area 3: Culture and Tourism
Contacts:
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
PR No.: 15037
The European Travel Commission (ETC) together with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and with support from VisitFlanders, will present the key criteria that influence the choice of a destination by meeting planners at the International Seminar on The Decision-Making Process of Meetings, Congresses, Conventions and Incentives Organisers, taking place 11-12 June in Antwerp (Belgium).
Tourism for business and professional reasons is one of the fastest growing segments in the tourism sector and the second main purpose for travel after leisure, recreation and holidays. The meetings industry is gaining significant recognition among countries and cities alike as it poses a significant opportunity to spur revenue growth for tourism destinations. Competition is becoming fierce as new destinations enter the market, and the European tourism sector is thus called to understand meeting planners’ needs and expectations.
At this two-day ETC-UNWTO international seminar, leading meeting industry experts including Martin Sirk, CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), and Tom Hulton, Director of International Relations of the IMEX Group, will unveil the key criteria that influence meeting organiser’s choice of a destination and address the economic and social impacts of meetings and events. Bruce Redor from Gaining Edge will provide a strategic overview of the meeting industry and outline trends and detailed findings from the forthcoming ETC-UNWTO study on the Decision-Making Process of Meetings, Congresses, Conventions and Incentives Organisers. The seminar will also provide tourism professionals and destination managers with a unique platform for exchanging best-practice examples of a successful MCCI destination.
Note to editors:
The European Travel Commission is an association of National Tourism Organisations (NTOs). It was created in 1948 to promote Europe as a tourist destination to the long-haul markets outside of Europe, originally in the USA and later in Canada, Latin America and Asia. It currently has 33 member NTOs, including 8 from outside the European Union.
Europe is the world's no. 1 tourist destination with 588 million international arrivals in 2014 and more than 50% of the market share of worldwide tourism
Useful links:
Further details on the seminar programme and registrations
Download the UNWTO Global Report on the Meetings Industry
ETC’s corporate website
ETC’s consumer portal
Contacts:
ETC Executive Unit
Tel: (+32) 2 548 9000 / Fax: +32 2 514 1843
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
PR No.: 15035
The ability to offer a high-quality experience is a crucial element for tourism competitiveness in Mediterranean destinations. The 2nd UNWTO Conference on Destination Management in the Mediterranean will focus on enhancing the quality of the visitor’s experience through strategic tourism partnerships (Budva, Montenegro, 22-24 June 2015).
The Mediterranean is one of the most visited tourism regions in the world, accounting for one in three international tourist arrivals worldwide, over a quarter of total international tourism receipts, and almost 20% of the global cruise market.
The Conference, organized jointly by UNWTO and the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro in the popular coastal destination of Budva, will explore how partnerships can promote quality and product diversification in the Mediterranean.
The Conference will address key issues such as: 1) the positioning of Mediterranean destinations in the global market, 2) product development, diversification and innovation as a means to improve the quality of the visitor experience, capture a wider range of market niches and minimize seasonality, 3) cruise and maritime tourism and 4) effective governance and policy instruments.
Speakers include representatives from the public and private sector from Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Jordan, Spain, Portugal and Turkey.
In 2014, 343 million international tourists visited a Mediterranean destination. According to UNWTO’s long-term forecast, this number will reach over 500 million in 2030.
To register, please click here
Useful links:
2nd UNWTO Conference on Destination Management in the Mediterranean
UNWTO Destination Management and Quality Programme
Contact:
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
PR No.: 15034
Increased regional cooperation, visa facilitation and the customization of visitor experiences through mobile technologies were some of the topics in focus at the 58th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe and Seminar on Mobile Technologies for Improving the Tourism Experience (Haifa, Israel, 12-13 May).
Europe is the world’s most visited region, accounting for more than half of the world’s international tourist arrivals. In 2014, international tourism in Europe continued to deliver positive results making a fundamental contribution to the economic recovery in the region: international tourist arrivals grew by 3% to reach a record 584 million, while international tourism receipts increased by 4% contributing US$ 509 billion (383 billion euros) to the European economies.
The 58th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe gathered representatives from 30 European countries and other tourism stakeholders in the region to discuss policy priorities and set the agenda for UNWTO’s programme of work for the region in 2016-2017.
“Tourism is a key driver of growth, exports and employment in Europe and has been critical in creating jobs in the region in recent years”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai opening the meeting. ”Yet, consumer behaviour and business models are in deep transformation. By working together, European destinations can aim to sustain the recent growth of the sector and improve the competitiveness of their destinations”, he added.
The main priorities for European tourism identified by the Commission include the development of cultural routes and other transnational products to enhance regional cooperation and mitigate seasonality; visa facilitation and connectivity; digitalization; and the need to adapt regulatory frameworks to facilitate entrepreneurship and emerging business models.
The Commission concluded its 58th meeting by calling on UNWTO to continue its vital work on the socio-economic impact of tourism and further raise the profile of the sector in the national and international agendas.
The UNWTO Seminar on Mobile Technologies for Improving the Tourism Experience, held on the sidelines of the Commission, highlighted the mobile revolution in tourism and how new technologies have opened up great opportunities for destinations to create unique and customized visitor experiences. By showcasing best examples of interactive applications, tourism augmented reality games, and other ways of engaging visitors, the Seminar explored how destinations can improve their competitiveness by leveraging the possibilities offered by mobile technologies.
Useful links:
UNWTO Regional Programme for Europe
58th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe
Contacts:
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
PR No.: 15028
Gastronomy and tourism are natural allies and mutually reinforce one another. The many links between gastronomy and tourism and the opportunities for closer cooperation between both areas will be explored at the 1st UNWTO World Forum on Food Tourism, jointly organized by UNWTO and the Basque Culinary Center (Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, 27-28 April 2015).
The 1st UNWTO World Forum on Food Tourism will provide a valuable platform to exchange experiences, enhancing the understanding of food tourism and how to successfully manage this growing tourism segment worldwide.
Topics such as the concept of food tourism, current trends, and the links between gastronomy and tourism branding are to be debated with international experts such as the Executive Director of the World Food Travel Association, Erik Wolf, and renowned Spanish chef Pedro Subijana.
The event will also feature several workshops where participants will have the opportunity to interact closer with food and tourism professionals from across the globe and learn more about branding, strategy and key success factors for food tourism destinations among other topics.
“Getting a taste of local cuisine has become an essential part of the travelling experience, and as such gastronomy presents a vital opportunity to enrich the tourism offer and stimulate economic development in destinations all around the world, not the least in rural communities. I trust that this Forum will further strengthen the ability of food tourism to create local job opportunities and spur renewed interest in traditional cultural heritage”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
The Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel Borrego, encourages participation in this important event, as Spain is a country to savour, with many exquisite and typical regional dishes. The “tapas”, the “pintxos”, some of the best wines in the world and an avant-garde cuisine have made Spain one of the most prominent destinations for Gastronomy tourism in the world.
Mrs. Borrego also reminds that the Spanish diet is synonymous with the Mediterranean diet, which has been inscribed in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2013, consisting of a combination of nutrition and other factors related to the Mediterranean culture.
The 1st World Forum on Food Tourism is jointly organized by UNWTO and its Affiliate Member the Basque Culinary Center, the first Faculty of Gastronomic Sciences in Spain that also incorporates a Food, Gastronomic Science and Entrepreneurship Research and Innovation Centre, in collaboration with Basquetour, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the Donostia-San Sebastián city-council.
For more information and registration, please visit http://www.culinary-tourism.com
Useful links:
1st UNWTO World Forum on Food Tourism
UNWTO Global Report on Food Tourism
Gastronomy in Spain
Download the Conference application:
Contacts:
UNWTO Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
