PR No.: PR 11046
The seven Central and Eastern European countries sharing the Carpathian mountain range have agreed to jointly manage the sustainable development of tourism; a sector of fundamental importance to the region. Meeting at the 3rd Conference of the Parties to the Carpathian Convention, the countries adopted the Protocol on Sustainable Tourism, drafted by UNWTO and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which lays the foundations for a coordinated approach to tourism (Bratislava, Slovakia, 25-27 May).
The Carpathians – shared by the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine – are one of Europe’s largest mountain ranges and a refuge for Europe’s largest populations of brown bears, wolves, lynx and eagles. As such, this natural haven constitutes a major tourism attraction and an important source of employment and income for local populations.
UNWTO has long been working together with UNEP to include tourism in the Carpathian Convention, as one of the most significant economic activities for the Carpathian countries. The Protocol on Sustainable Tourism, adopted during the 3rd meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Carpathian Convention, paves the way for more coordinated action between the seven countries to maximize the positive benefits of sustainable tourism for ecosystems and the well-being of people living in the Carpathians.
Regional tourism cooperation offers important opportunities for regions to position themselves on the international marketplace, while also benefiting individual destinations. Through its Consulting Unit for Tourism and Biodiversity, UNWTO will continue to provide assistance to the Carpathian States and the Interim Secretariat of the Convention, hosted by UNEP-Vienna, for the further development of sustainable tourism in the regions.
Relevant links:
UNWTO Consulting Unit on Tourism and Biodiversity
UNWTO Supports Regional Approach to Tourism Development in Europe
Contacts:
Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications Programme
Tel: +34 91-567-8100
Fax: +34 91-567-8218
PR No.: PR11043
The President of Hungary, Pál Schmitt, is among the first European heads of state to join the ongoing World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign.
President Schmitt was presented an Open Letter stressing the importance of Travel and Tourism to global growth and development by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, following the European Stakeholders Conference organized in the framework of the Hungarian Presidency of the European Union (Budapest, Hungary, 13 May).
The President, having himself worked for 17 years in the tourism sector, said he was well aware of the importance of tourism to the economy and to employment. "I think that the co-operation of international and national tourism organizations and the synergy that derives from this common work of tourism stakeholders is one of the prerequisites of successful tourism development in Europe," said President Schmitt receiving the Open Letter.
President Schmitt, a former Olympic gold medalist, also highlighted the close relationship between sports and tourism, which he identified as two driving forces of future growth for the new decade.
“Hungary joining this campaign is a very important step in our efforts to mainstream tourism in the global political and economic agenda. This is even more relevant as Hungary currently holds the Presidency of the European Union,” said Mr. Rifai. “Europe is the most visited region worldwide, yet tourism has not always received recognition at the highest level as a key driver of the region’s economy. Our presence here today and the commitment of President Schmitt to the Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign is an important step forward in this regard,” he added.
Speaking from its annual Summit meeting in Las Vegas, David Scowsill, President and Chief Executive of the World Travel & Tourism Council said: "President Schmitt shows great understanding of the enormous economic and social benefits which come from fostering the development of Travel & Tourism, and its ability to create new jobs. I hope other European leaders will be quick to follow his example".
With 9 million international tourist arrivals in 2010, Hungary is becoming one of the most important destinations in Europe and one of the few to have seen tourist numbers increase during the crisis year of 2009 – international tourist arrivals grew by 3% in 2009 and 5% in 2010. Tourism revenues reached US$ 5.4 billion (3.8 billion euros) in 2010.
As part of the Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign, UNWTO and WTTC are jointly presenting heads of state and government around the world an Open Letter which calls on them to acknowledge tourism’s key role in delivering on sustained and balanced growth and to prioritize the sector high in national policies in order to maximize its potential. The Open Letter outlines Travel and Tourism’s value as one of the world’s largest generators of sustainable enterprises and decent jobs, a powerful driver of socio-economic growth and development and a key player in the transformation to the Green Economy.
Relevant links:
Open Letter to Heads of State and Government
Further Information on the Joint Campaign
Media contacts:
UNWTO Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
www.UNWTO.org
WTTC Communications Executive: Anja Eckervogt
Tel: (+44) 20 7481 6484
www.WTTC.org
PR No.: PR 11040
A travel tool designed to promote accessible tourism in Quebec, Canada and a discovery trail of the ancient Moche civilization of Northern Peru are among the winners of this year’s UNWTO Ulysses Awards. The awards ceremony will be held during the Gala Dinner of the ‘UNWTO Algarve Forum on Tourism and Science: Bridging theory and practice’ (1-3 June 2011) in Vilamoura, Portugal.
The UNWTO Ulysses Awards reward initiatives and projects undertaken by public tourism institutions, tourism enterprises and non-profit institutions that have made a significant contribution to the advancement of tourism through innovation, in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
The prestigious UNWTO Ulysses Prize will be awarded to Professor Kaye Chon, Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, for his outstanding contribution to tourism knowledge.
The 2011 UNWTO Ulysses Awards winners are as follows:
For Innovation in Governance:
For Innovation in Enterprises:
For Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations:
Special Jury Awards to:
The Ulysses Awards Ceremony will be one of several important events set to take place during the UNWTO Algarve Forum. The Forum represents a milestone in the theoretical and practical dimensions of tourism as it aims to debate the main issues and strategic challenges faced by tourism in the modern world. In doing so, it contributes to building a Global Consensus on Tourism Policy and Governance which will set a reference for any institution involved in the tourism sector.
The event, organized by the UNWTO Knowledge Network, is structured in three parallel sessions: (A) Development and Competitiveness, (B) Climate Change and Sustainability, and (C) Governance and Tourism Policy. The UNWTO Algarve Forum will also address strategic positioning as well as product and process innovation, among other topics.
The UNWTO Knowledge Network Scientific Committee will present three executive papers for discussion at the plenary sessions in Vilamoura and participants will be asked to vote on these important issues. The outcome of this participative process will set the framework for the UNWTO Algarve Consensus.
For more information and to register for the UNWTO Algarve Forum on Tourism and Science:
Organizing Committee of the UNWTO Algarve Forum: unwtoforum@ualg.pt
Contacts:
Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications Programme
Tel: +34 91-567-8100 / Fax: +34 91-567-8218
Eduardo Fayos-Solà Executive Secretary - UNWTO Knowledge Network
Tel. +34 915678209
PR No.: ED/54/2011
Dear Mr. Radkov,
We were deeply saddened by the passing away of Mr. Anatoliy Yarochkin, Head of the Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation. With his leave Russian tourism has suffered a grievous loss. We know Mr. Yarochkin as a wonderful hard-working person who dedicated all his life to tourism industry development in Russia. He knew tourism firsthand, having paved not an easy way from an ordinary guide to the Head of the National Tourism Administration of the Russian Federation. It would be impossible not to acknowledge his personal contribution to the fact that tourism has become nowadays one of the most important and priority areas of socio-economic development in Russia.
We will always remember Mr. Yarochkin as a leader who made a valuable contribution to tourism development in the Russian Federation and to strengthening fruitful relations between Russia and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
I am kindly asking you to express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Yarochkin and to all the staff of the Federal Agency for Tourism. I would also like to assure you once again that the Federal Agency for Tourism can fully count on extensive support and assistance of the World Tourism Organization in your endeavour of tourism development in Russia.
With my kind regards,
Taleb Rifai
PR No.: PR11030
Mountain resort professionals, from the Alps to the Rockies, as well as Asian destinations including the Republic of Korea, will debate how snow and mountain destinations can respond to current and future challenges, while remaining competitive and sustainable, at the 7th World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism (Grenoble, France, 15th -16th September 2011).
Leading experts will gather at the Congress to present current trends in the snow and mountain tourism market, following the strong rebound in international tourism witnessed in 2010. The Congress will also outline the current and future challenges facing mountain professionals as they strive to successfully develop their tourism businesses.
Among the challenges to be discussed is that of maintaining local identities and natural resources while meeting visitor needs for comfort and services. Participants will also debate the role of creativity and innovation in addressing issues such as seasonality and the opportunities of new social media for mountain tourism.
The opportunities offered to mountain destinations by both domestic and international tourism markets are a further issue on the agenda. Many major destinations have found success in specializing in activities such as hiking or adventure sports, guaranteeing a loyal clientele. Smaller and medium-sized resorts, however, are diversifying their supply with new products based on local resources such as culture or gastronomy.
Regularly bringing together over 300 international participants, the World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism has emerged as the principal forum for addressing the major issues and challenges for mountain tourism in all its forms and seasons. Speakers at the 2011 edition include experts from academia, managing directors of leading snow and mountain tourism destinations from Argentina to China, and government representatives, including the Minister of Tourism of Andorra, Claudi Benet Mas, the Mayor of Grenoble, Michel Destot, and the State Secretary of Tourism of Serbia, Goran Petkovic.
Since 1998, the World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism, jointly organized by the Government of Andorra and UNWTO, has been held every two years in Andorra. From 2011 onwards, the Congress will become an annual event and will be held in Andorra every two years and outside of Andorra every other year.
The 2011 edition is being hosted by Grenoble, France, in collaboration with Alpexpo, Grenoble’s convention centre and the 2012 edition will meet in the Andorran parish of La Massana (11-12 April 2012).
Registration and more information
Contacts:
Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
mrisi@UNWTO.org
UNWTO Communications Programme
Tel: +34 91-567-8100
Fax: +34 91-567-8218
comm@UNWTO.org
The importance of removing travel barriers to facilitate tourist flows was top of the agenda during the recent visit of UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, to Russia (Moscow, Russia, 14 March 2011).
The issue of travel barriers was among the key issues discussed by the UNWTO Secretary-General during his recent visit to Russia. Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Zhukov, Mr. Rifai praised the importance given to this question in the country. “I am extremely pleased to see that the critical issue of removing travel barriers such as complicated visa formalities and cross border procedures in order to facilitate tourist flows is a priority within Russian tourism policy,” he said.
Furthermore, Mr. Rifai addressed the need to support the speedy return of tourism flows to North Africa and the Middle East while meeting with several Russian high representatives including the Chairman of the Council of Federation, the upper house of the Russian Parliament, Sergey Mironov, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gennady Gatilov, the Deputy Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Affairs, Nadezhda Nazina as well as the Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Tourism, Alexander Radkov.
Discussions held during the visit included further tourism issues, namely the upcoming Winter Olympics (2014) and the FIFA World Cup (2018) to be held in Russia; UNWTO-Russia cooperation to advance tourism in the Russian regions; and UNWTO technical assistance in the development of cruise tourism in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions.
“Upcoming sporting mega-events will offer Russia unmatched global exposure and massive opportunities for nation branding and promotion,” said Mr. Rifai. “To ensure that these opportunities are harnessed responsibly, UNWTO and Russia will hold a series of joint seminars to share knowledge on the linkages between tourism and mega-events, focusing particularly on the legacy value of such events”.
UNWTO Secretary-General was visiting Moscow to open the 6th edition of the international tourism fair Intourmarket, and attend the seminar on ‘Effective Governance in Tourism Destination Development’, jointly organized by UNWTO and the Russian Federation.
Russia registered over 22 million international tourist arrivals in 2010. Russia is currently one of the top ten most important outbound markets in the world and one of the fastest growing (up by over 20% in 2010).