PR No.: PR14035
As tourism continues to grow globally, particularly in South East Asia, it is becoming increasingly urgent to consider its impact on local communities, particular where this relates to child exploitation. This is why UNWTO and World Vision East Asia Regional Office have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, forging a partnership aimed at fighting the exploitation of children in the tourism sector (17 April 2014).
The MOU aims to enhance the collaboration between UNWTO and World Vision (WV), a relief, development and advocacy organization working to protect children from exploitation, trafficking and abuse.
Areas of future cooperation between UNWTO and WV include the promotion of tools, good practices and case studies to support child protection in tourism, comprising the WV-coordinated Child Safe Tourism Campaign, endorsed by the governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, which informs travellers on the actions they can take to protect children and young people from abuse in tourism destinations. The Campaign is part of Project Childhood, an initiative funded by the Australian Government to combat the sexual exploitation of children in tourism in the Mekong sub-region.
UNWTO has been working in the same sphere through the World Tourism Network on Child Protection (formerly the Task Force for the Protection of Children in Tourism) for more than 15 years now. Set to prevent all forms of child and youth exploitation within the tourism sector, the Network serves as a platform for tourism stakeholders and other relevant actors to exchange experiences and promote the adoption of responsible policies and business practices in line with the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.
“The growth of the tourism sector brings important development opportunities, but also immense challenges, affecting namely the most vulnerable groups of society. Children and youth are particularly at risk, and it is imperative that the tourism sector stakeholders work together to tackle the pressing issue of child exploitation. World Vision has always been appreciated as a very committed and active partner of the UNWTO World Tourism Network on Child Protection and we are very happy to be able to join our efforts in fighting such a hideous practice as child exploitation” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
“In South East Asia, World Vision has a number of programs dedicated to reducing harm to children from abuse, exploitation and trafficking, including in the tourism sector. Tourism is growing rapidly in this region bringing many opportunities as well as some risks to children. For this reason we are pleased to be joining forces with UNWTO in our joint sustainable approach to child safe tourism” said World Vision East Asia Director for Integrated Ministry Warren Climenhaga.
Note to Editors:
On the occasion of the 15th Anniversary of the UNWTO World Tourism Network on Child Protection, UNWTO has launched a Compilation of Good Practices showcasing 16 of the more than 170 initiatives and reports shared through the Network since 1997.
Useful links:
Protection of Children in Tourism
UNWTO World Tourism Network on Child Protection
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
PR No.: PR14033
UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, has expressed serious concerns about the negative impact that a new tourism tax on air passengers and hotel guests in Africa, currently being discussed among members of the African Union, would have on Africa´s tourism sector. Tourism is one of the main contributors to Africa’s balance of payments, a source of livelihood for millions in the continent and one of the sectors where the region has a major competitive advantage in international markets.
Mr Rifai alerted that “A tourism tax in Africa is a threat to the competiveness of the region and to all African economies which increasingly have tourism as a key pillar to their development. Any decision on the possible imposition of a tourism tax in Africa should be carefully evaluated as to the negative impact it will have on tourism demand, economic growth and jobs”.
This concern was echoed by the Ministers of Tourism of the region attending the 56th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa, held in Angola last month. Participants identified increased taxation as one of the main obstacles to the sustainable development of tourism and aviation in the region. Connectivity is one of the major barriers to Africa´s tourism growth and a further increase in the cost of air travel to the continent would jeopardize the need to increase intra and interregional air access across Africa.
International tourism in Africa has been growing steadily in recent years. In 2013, Africa received 56 million tourists up from 26 million in 2000. International tourism generates US$34 billion in exports in Africa, accounting for as much as 7% of all exports and 56% of the region’s services exports. Yet despite such progress, tourism in Africa is still in its early development stage, accounting for only 5% of international tourism, and faces several barriers impeding its further growth and competitiveness.
The imposition of a tourism tax in Africa will impact not only the tourism sector, but African economies as a whole, as every tourist means more jobs and business opportunities in tourism but also in related sectors, higher income for families, increased investment and more opportunities for grassroots development.
Useful links
Download and share: Tourism – Driving Trade, Fostering Development and Connecting People (pdf)
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.: PR14030
The UNWTO-led Sustainable Tourism through Energy Efficiency with Adaptation and Mitigation Measures (STREAM) project, which concludes this week in Indonesia, is supporting the tourism sector in the popular tourism destination of Pangandaran in West Java in reducing its energy footprint and adapting to climate change (Jakarta/Pangandaran, Indonesia, 5-7 May 2014).
A collaboration between UNWTO and the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Industries, which have been working together in Pangandaran to revitalize tourism to the area since the 2006 tsunami, STREAM is a practical example of how the tourism sector can engage local communities to be part of the solutions to fight climate change.
Among the project achievements are the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in several of hotels and restaurants, and the development of a Low Carbon Planning Software Tool that helps to visualize and develop low carbon tourism in the area. The project has also launched comprehensive rehabilitation programmes to restore and protect Pangandaran’s mangrove forests and coral reefs – over1.400 coral segments and 38.000 mangroves were planted with high rates of success.
One of the key components of the project is the engagement of local communities. More than 2.000 people from various organizations and community groups are currently involved in mangrove conservation, including 450 school children participating in the ‘Mangrove Ambassadors Programme’. As of April 2014, most project initiatives were fully or partially run and monitored by local partners.
Opening the STREAM Delivery Conference, Márcio Favilla, UNWTO Executive Director for Operational Programmes and Institutional Relations, said: “For tourism, climate change is not a remote event, but a phenomenon that already affects the sector. Seeing the results achieved by STREAM, it stands clear that this project is an exceptional example of how tourism can be an effective tool in the fight against climate change, protecting natural resources while leading to inclusive development of local communities and fruitful cross-sector cooperation.“
In order to also engage tourists visiting Pangandaran in the fight against climate change, STREAM has promoted several green tourism activities. By xperiencing Pangandaran in solar powered boats or on locally produced bamboo bikes and actively participating in the mangrove planting, tourists get a deeper understanding of their impact and how sustainable tourism can benefit host communities. The project has also launched the initiative ‘Stimulating Behavior Change through Rewarding Programme’,exploring the best ways to encourage hotel guests to adopt climate friendly actions during their stay, such as rewarding the reuse of towels with a complimentary mangrove planting voucher.
Part of the International Climate Initiative and supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, STREAM has been developing a global approach to low carbon tourism in Pangandaran since 2011.The project will function as a lighthouse example in the fight against climate change which can be replicated in other destinations. In order to facilitate knowledge exchange and transfer, guidelines and best practices from STREAM will be published in 2014.
Useful links:
STREAM (official project website)
UNWTO Consulting Unit on Tourism and Biodiversity
International Climate Initiative
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 Meetings Industry will be in focus of the UNWTO Asia Pacific Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy (Bali, Indonesia, 28 April - 1 May 2014).
The Meetings industry, one of the fundamental segments of the tourism sector, is widely recognized for its benefits to the broader economy as it generates on average a higher spending level, reduces tourism seasonality, while expanding knowledge and enhancing innovation and creativity.
In the light of increased globalization and the sustained expansion of the tourism sector, the importance of the Meetings industry is growing and it is seen as one of the key areas for destinations looking to diversify their tourism offer. Asia and the Pacific is currently one of the fastest developing regions in the world in this segment - Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore are all among the top destinations in terms of number of international association congresses held.
Against this backdrop, the 8th UNWTO Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy is gathering policy makers from Asia and the Pacific to address the current status and future development of the Meetings industry in the region, covering topics such as capacity building and destination marketing.
Comprised of three days of workshops and a one-day technical visit, the Training aims at strengthening the participants’ capacity to develop policies and strategies for this segment while providing an important platform for knowledge exchange and regional cooperation between National Tourism Administrations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Supported by the government of the Republic of Korea, the 8th Annual Training Programme is attended by 23 representatives from 20 UNWTO Member States from Asia-Pacific, the highest number of participants to date.
Note to editors:
In 2013, international tourist arrivals grew by 5%, reaching a record of 1,087 million worldwide. Growth was strongest in Asia and the Pacific, where the number of international tourists grew by 14 million to reach 248 million (+6%). According to UNWTO’s long-term forecasts, international tourist arrivals are expect to reach 1.8 billion in 2030, out of which 535 million will be in Asia and the Pacific.
Useful links:
The 8th UNWTO Asia/Pacific Executive Training Programme
UNWTO Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific
UNWTO Affiliate Members' Global Report on the Meetings Industry
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
Air connectivity in the Asia Pacific region will be a key topic at the upcoming 26th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the UNWTO commission South Asia (CAP-CSA). The annual meeting is the most important event on the calendar of the UNWTO´s Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific (RPAP) and will provide an up to date overview of the UNWTO´s current and upcoming projects both globally and in the Asia Pacific Region. This also includes the activities of the UNWTO Regional Support office for Asia and the Pacific in Nara, Japan. In keeping with the theme of Air Connectivity, the findings of the recently concluded study on “Air Connectivity and Its Impact on Tourism in Asia and the Pacific” by UNWTO/PATA in partnership with The Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia Pacific Cities (TPO), will be presented in a thematic discussion of the subject on the 18th May 2014.
2014 is an exciting year for UNWTO´s RPAP with the programme undertaking an extensive range of ventures in the region including projects in various countries relating to the development of Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) systems for the improved measurement of tourism statistics. As the Asia Pacific region has experienced rapid growth in tourist arrivals in recent years, with arrivals up by 6% in 2013, statistics are a crucial area for development to ensure the continuous growth of tourism in the region.
Highlights of some of the upcoming events and projects for the region include the launch of:
Highlights of activities carried out and planned for 2014 include the following:
The CSA/CAP meeting scheduled for the 19th and 20th May 2014 will be held in conjunction with a UNWTO-ASEAN International Conference on Tourism and Climate Change. The conference will concentrate on several crucial issues including tackling climate change through policy making and national strategy making, tourism and low carbon development, an examination of approaches to dealing with climate change with a focus on the Asia Pacific region and consumer behaviour and climate change. The conference will also feature an engaging presentation of the major findings from the recently completed study conducted by UNWTO and the University Of Queensland´s School Of Tourism on: “Tourism´s Response to Climate Change: An Examination of Tourism Related Initiatives in Asia and Pacific UNWTO”. Dr. Andy Choi from UQ´s School of Tourism will present the results during session 1 on the first day of the conference.
The conference will conclude with the adoption of the Legazpi Declaration on Tourism´s Response to Climate Change, a significant step in the long term development and sustainability of tourism in the face of climate change.
The 26th CSA-CAP Joint Meeting will be held in Legazpi, Philippines on Sunday the 18th of May followed by the International Conference on Climate Change on Monday the 19th & Tuesday the 20th of May. Both will take place at the Oriental Hotel and Resort, Legazpi.
Please find registration form and further information at /archive/asia/event/26th-cap-csa-joint-commission-meeting-0
PR No.: 14009
Chairing the Tourism Promotion Meeting in Seoul, the President of the Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye, unveiled plans to advance tourism promotion by boosting ‘smart tourism’, encouraging more nationals to travel and promoting capacity building in support of job creation. UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, addressed the Meeting and underscored the country’s lead in connecting state-of-the-art tourism initiatives with the sector’s potential to face poverty challenges and provide development opportunities (3 February 2014, Seoul, Republic of Korea).
President Geun-hye expressed her government’s commitment to intensively promote tourism, which “has higher job creation capacity and boosts domestic expenditure”. She stressed the need to set policies to enable people to expand their periods of vacation through dedicated programmes such as the ´Replacement Holidays Plan´ and ´Domestic Tour Week´. In support of tourism policy measures, the Republic of Korea wants to seize its advanced technological infrastructure and further expand the country´s Smart Tourism initiatives.
“I commend the decision of the current administration of the Republic of Korea to place tourism as a driving force of the nation’s economy,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai addressing the Meeting in Seoul. He further highlighted the role of Korea in international cooperation stressing that “Korea can make a difference by sharing its know-how and knowledge on economic development, especially through tourism, a positioning which will strongly benefit from the shift of the current UNWTO ST-EP Foundation into a formal and independent international organization.
Mr. Rifai added that Korea has been instrumental in the inclusion of tourism in the Outcome Document of UN Conference on Sustainable Development: Rio+20 and that UNWTO looked forward to following the work of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in leading the implementation of the Sustainable Development through Tourism agenda.
In 2013, the Republic of Korea received over 12 million international visitors, a 9% increase from the previous year. This growth was attributed to the country´s commitment to developing a creative economy linked to tourism as well as significant improvements in visa facilitation. Korea´s domestic tourism market size is projected to reach 30 trillion won (21 billion euros) by 2017 or a 25% increase from 2013.
Relevant links:
Press release: The ST-EP International Organization presented at the World Travel Market
Outcome Document of UN Conference on Sustainable Development: Rio+20
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