PR No.: PR13076

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, who witnessed the signing with the Secretary of State for Tourism of Portugal, Adolfo Mesquita Nunes, said “It is encouraging to see this firm show of support and commitment from the Portuguese tourism associations to the principles of sustainability, which are fundamental during this stage of growth of Portugal´s tourism sector.”  

“We are extremely pleased to see the commitment of the Portuguese associations to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism particularly considering that this is a voluntary mechanism and that the initiative to pledge to these principles comes from the private sector” said Mesquita Nunes.  

The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is UNWTO’s core policy document that serves as a blueprint for the development of sustainable tourism. Adopted in 1999 by the UNWTO General Assembly and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, it is designed to guide the development of tourism in a way that maximizes the socio-economic benefits of the sector, while mitigating any negative impacts.

With this group of associations, up to date more than 200 tourism enterprises and associations spread over 29 countries across the world have pledged to promote and implement the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

The signatory associations include: Association “Casas Brancas”, Association of Hotel Directors of Portugal, Association of Hoteliers, Restaurants and Beverage of Algarve, Association of Manor Houses,  Estoril Coast, Sintra, Mafra and Oeiras Hoteliers Regional Association, European Blue Flag Association, National Cruise Association, National Equestrian Tourism Association, Portuguese Association of Rural Tourism, Portuguese Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism, Portuguese Hotel Association, Portuguese Termal Association, Portuguese Tourism Confederation, Association Route Vincentina, Portuguese Association of Conventions, Animation and Events Enterprises, Portuguese Association of Ports and Marinas, Portuguese Association of Resorts.

Useful links:

UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

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

The first Euro-Asian Ski Resorts Conference, held in the City of Almaty, aimed to advance the international ski and mountain tourism markets of Europe and Asia. The Conference was jointly organized by UNWTO and the Municipality of Almaty with the support of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Kazakhstan (Almaty, Kazakhstan, 8-9 October 2013).

Centered around the theme “Developing New Destinations for Snow Tourism”, the Conference gathered 200 participants from 26 countries to exchange knowledge and best practices of traditional and new ski resorts in the Euro-Asian region.

In his welcome remarks at the Conference, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said, “Ski sports constitute an important segment of today’s domestic and international tourism market. This creates immense opportunities to promote tourism as a means for sustainable development in mountain destinations.”

“Developing Almaty as a major tourist center is a priority of the city administration,” said the Mayor of Almaty, Akhmetzhan Yessimov, adding “Tourism is a promising sector in the country and ski tourism is becoming an important pillar in tourism development.”

Serving as a platform to explore the rise and potential of the new ski resorts in Asia and Europe, the event addressed the current challenges in creating new ski markets and examined dynamic development models and successful strategies for developing new skiing areas and resorts. The choice of the appropriate Alpine ski development model, creation of new markets and the positioning of new ski resorts in the world market were analyzed also from a private-public partnership perspective.

A follow-up Conference is planned to be held in 2015.

Useful links:

First Euro-Asia Ski Conference

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

PR No.: PR13060

Organized in conjunction with the Moscow City Government Committee on Tourism and Hotel Industry, the Summit will provide a platform for the presentation of the second phase of the UNWTO “Cities” project. How to measure the impact of tourism on cities and how to create new tourism products in urban areas are among the highlights of the event.

“City tourism has become a strategic element in urban planning and management,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. “This second summit is a good opportunity to further our initial efforts in city tourism to enhance urban development, involving all relevant stakeholders, ranging from the private supply to the public of policy,” he added.

The event includes the presentation of a prototype developed in collaboration with the Madrid Visitors and Convention Bureau and the UNWTO Affiliate Members - Madrid Precious Time – as a first attempt to establish models revolving around specific areas which can be replicated in other destinations. One of the central elements of this approach is its public-private partnership component.

A new feature of the Summit will be a Speed Networking session aimed to encourage direct contact and further exchange among participants.

This event follows UNWTO’s collaboration with 21 cities worldwide which resulted in the publication of the Global Report on City Tourism (1st UNWTO Global Summit on City Tourism, Istanbul, Turkey, November 2012).

Useful links:

2^nd UNWTO Global Summit on City Tourism

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

PR No.: PR13053

The UNWTO Awards recognize and showcase innovative and sustainable tourism initiatives and influential individuals of the tourism sector.

“This is the first time ever for FITUR, a UNWTO Affiliate Member and a leading trade fair, to co-host the Awards. This agreement showcases FITUR´s support to tourism innovation and sustainability as well as its commitment to the long standing partnership with UNWTO” said UNWTO Secretary-General in signing the co-hosting agreement with Luis Eduardo Cortés, Chief Executive Officer of the Trade Fair Institution of Madrid (IFEMA), of which FITUR is a key fair. “We are particularly happy as this means the Awards Ceremony will take place in Madrid, the host city of UNWTO”, he added.

The Chief Executive Officer of IFEMA, Luis Eduardo Cortés, stressed the importance to create “spaces for collaboration in the current environment, as the one announced today, and to make an effective contribution to the new challenges facing the global tourism sector. FITUR is honoured to expand the framework of cooperation with the main reference in world tourism, sharing UNWTO’s goals which are key to the progress of the sector. Hence our commitment to leverage the Awards through this fair, which every year brings together more than 200,000 tourism professionals”.

Since its inception in 2003, UNWTO has acknowledged the contribution of eight distinguished scholars as well as more than forty institutions – public, private or NGOs – for their innovative tourism initiatives. The contribution of the awardees is in line with UNWTO´s policies, priorities and programme of work, including the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the principles and standards set in the United Nations´ Millennium Development Goals.

The call for nominations for the 2013 UNWTO Awards is open until 1 October 2013. The UNWTO Awards are awarded in categories for individuals and for specific tourism activities.  

Two categories of Awards for individuals:

1. The UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Excellence in  the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge
2. The UNWTO Award for Lifetime Achievement

Four categories of Awards for specific tourism initiatives:

1. UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance
2. UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Enterprises
3. UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations
4. UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Research and Technology

The 2013 Awards ceremony will take place on 22 January 2014 during the Madrid International Fair FITUR, followed by the UNWTO Knowledge Network Symposium on 23 January 2013 that will highlight best theories and practices showcased by the awardees of the different categories.

Useful links:

Information on UNWTO Awards

FITUR

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

The World Tourism Organization wishes to express, on behalf of the international tourism community, its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the tragic accident in Santiago de Compostela as well as its solidarity to the Spanish authorities at this difficult time.

“Our thoughts at this terrible moment are with the families and friends of the victims and the people of Galicia and Spain” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

To raise awareness among the international community about the growing importance of pilgrimage and spiritual tourism in the light of tourism development is among the main objectives of the first International Congress on Pilgrimages and Tourism, to be held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, in September 2014. UNWTO will collaborate with local and national Spanish authorities as organizers for the event (Santiago de Compostela, 12 July 2013).

UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain Isabel Borrego Cortés and Galician President Alberto Nuñez Feijoo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to organize the Congress which will take place in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, epicenter of one of the most renowned pilgrimage routes in the world: The Route of Santiago. Policies and strategies for the preservation and management of heritage sites along religious routes will be discussed, highlighting the positive contribution of pilgrimages to sustainable growth and international peace.

“Alongside religious conviction, values of exchange are at the heart of the spiritual journey in any pilgrimage, the same values at the core of tourism,” said the UNWTO Secretary-General. “I have every confidence that this event will offer a unique opportunity for us to explore the dimensions of tourism and pilgrimages, and help us to see how tourism can foster spiritual and cultural respect and understanding among people, while creating opportunities to benefit populations worldwide,” he added.

Spiritual tourism comprises a significant portion of the tourism sector, with pilgrims and religious travelers making up a sizeable part of domestic and international tourism. UNWTO estimates that 300 to 330 million tourists visit the world´s key religious sites every year.

Useful links:

Secretariat of State for Tourism of Spain

Xunta de Galicia

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