PR No.: 14010

Mr. Rifai congratulated the Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb, and his team  for their commitment to review taxation on the sector and facilitate visas. “The transversal nature of tourism calls for a broad focus of tourism policy, interacting with a set of general policy measures; Australia shows how it can be done,” he said, and added: “Australia sets a fine example to the world as a leading destination in sustainability, marketing, research and planning. Through enhancing aviation policies, improving visa policies and increasing tourism investment, Australia will be well on track to achieving its Tourism 2020 goals.”

Since taking office in September last year, the Australian Government has frozen the Passenger Movement Charge (PMC) and has announced new visa policies for Chinese nationals, one of the fastest growing outbound markets in the world and to Australia.

"Chinese business visitors will now be eligible to apply for a three-year multiple entry visa, increasing the prospect of repeat visits to Australia, which would be warmly welcomed by our tourism sector," said Mr. Robb. The changes follow the government's decision to grant increased seating capacity to Chinese airlines to help cater for increased demand during the busy Chinese New Year period in Australia.

The UNWTO Secretary-General further highlighted the role Australia can play in positioning tourism in the international trade agenda. "Tourism has now a distinctive voice in Australia’s foreign policy, after being included in the portfolio of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, allowing for tourism to be clearly positioned in international trade agreements, among other strategic areas," he said. In a meeting with Minister Andrew Robb, Mr. Rifai highlighted the opportunity to fully seize tourism’s new positioning within the trade and investment portfolio.

During his visit, the UNWTO Secretary-General also met with Tourism Australia and Destination New South Wales, as well as major private sector stakeholders Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) and the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), and showed his support for industry excellence by attending the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, organized by National Tourism Alliance.

With around U$32 billion in international tourism revenues per year, tourism is Australia’s largest services export.

Mr. Rifai concluded his visit in Brisbane to keynote the CAUTHE Conference, a major event hosted and organized by the University of Queensland gathering tourism and hospitality professionals, as well as a meeting with Queensland’s Minister for Tourism Ms. Jann Stuckey, the Queensland Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games (DTESB) and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC).

 

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 (UNWTO) is deeply saddened by the passing away of Joop Ave, former Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications of Indonesia.

Mr Ave, who passed away on 5 February 2014 at the age of 79, was one of the key figures of the Indonesian tourism sector, and instrumental in setting the path for its modern development.

Born in Yogayakarta in 1934, Mr. Ave dedicated his long career to the Indonesian state, working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and serving as the Director General of the Protocol and Consular Affairs Department before being appointed Director General of Tourism in 1982. He also served as Chairman of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Tourism between 1983 and1986 and the PATA Board of Directors between 1984 and 1986.

In 1993, Mr. Ave was appointed Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications, a position he would come to hold for five years. The same year, he also served as the President of the 10^th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly. As a Minister, he pioneered the international promotion of tourism in Indonesia and established hospitality standards. A tourism enthusiast at heart, Mr. Ave wrote several books about the tourism and hospitality industry. He was also active in many conservation initiatives for Indonesian culture. 

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai:  “The international tourism community will always remember Joop Ave as a man of both great vision and action. His remarkable legacy will without a doubt continue to serve as an inspiration for all tourism professionals.”

UNWTO joins all those who knew Mr Ave in sending sincere condolences to his family and friends.

 

Obituary – Joop Ave 

 

Contacts:

Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60

UNWTO Communications and Publications Programme
Tel: +34 91-567-8100
Fax: +34 91-567-8218

PR No.: PR14003

The Impact of Visa Facilitation in ASEAN Member States, shows that the region is one of the most open in the world in terms of tourist visa requirements. Collaboration between countries and recent advances across the region to facilitate visas, including progressive approaches to implement new visa policies, have proven very successful. This collaboration forms part of joint efforts to improve social integration within the region and to grow the national and regional travel and tourism sectors, resulting in increased investment in the sector and consequently job creation.

Despite the achievements, there are still areas for further improvement. According to the report, ASEAN stands to gain between 6 to 10 million additional international tourist arrivals by 2016 from improved visa facilitation. The additional receipts generated by these tourists could reach between US$7 and US$12 billion. Moreover, the total number of jobs created as a consequence of this increase is estimated to range from 333,000 to 654,000.

Presenting the report to the ATF 2014 National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), WTTC Vice-President of Government and Industry Affairs, Helen Marano, highlighted how the leaders at the 2011 ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, agreed to cooperate on an ASEAN Common Visa Initiative, engaging the Tourism and other appropriate ministries for accomplishing this aspiration.

Addressing the ASEAN Ministers on the occasion of ATF, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai said “I would like to comment ASEAN leaders for their vision in making travel facilitation a priority in advancing regional integration and economic development in ASEAN and call upon them to continue supporting this important agenda.” “Indeed, although ASEAN is one of the most open regions in terms of tourist visas, this report clearly opens the opportunity to further promote easier visa policies as a means to generate economic growth, job creation and regional integration through tourism in the ASEAN economies”, he added.

David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “Encouraging freedom to travel is a key strategic priority for WTTC. Although the ASEAN countries already collaborate to encourage a better experience for the traveller, there is still more to do and greater economic benefits to be gained, as this report demonstrates. Better visa processes can reap immense economic benefits with increased tourism demand, tourist spending and job creation. Most importantly, better policies open the doors for better cross-cultural understanding”.

In spite of the great strides made in recent decades to facilitate tourist travel all over the world, there are still important areas of opportunity, namely considering the possibilities to maximize the use of information and communication technologies in improving visa procedures. Further opportunities include improving the delivery of information, facilitating current processes to obtain visas, differentiated treatment to facilitate tourist travel, instituting eVisa programmes and regional agreements for visa facilitation.

 

Useful links:

Report: The Impact of Visa Facilitation in ASEAN Member States (pdf)

UNWTO Facilitation of Tourist Travel:

WTTC:The impact of Visa Facilitation
 

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

In spite of the current political situation in Thailand, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports encourages tourists to continue visiting various attractions around Thailand, and assures the public that, as always, very warm hospitality and a Thai smile will be extended to visitors from around the world.

As there have been recent political protests in some areas of Bangkok, and a scheduled “Shut-Down Bangkok Campaign” by protesters on Monday the 13th of January 2014, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is busy preparing measures and activities to accommodate tourists, and facilities for visitors who may be inconvenienced or affected in any way by the protests.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has joined hands with all stakeholders, both public and private sector, from the tourism industry including the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Tourism Council of Thailand, the Thai Hotels Association, the Association of Thai Travel Agents, tourism businesses and other organizations concerned on the basis of caring for tourists. Moreover, a special Tourist’s Friend Center (TFC) has been established as a channel to give necessary information for tourists and prepare facilities to and at the airport.

The head office of the TFC will be located at the Sport Authority of Thailand and there will be two more TFC branches at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport.

The TFC will provide five Help Desks at the following BTS stations: Siam, Phaya Thai, Ekkamai, Wong Wian Yai, as well as at the Hua Lampong MRT station.

Tourists can also directly contact the TFC office for useful information by calling 02-314-1212

 

Ministry of Tourism and Sports

10 January 2014

PR No.: PR 13084

Dr. Singh, the Founding Editor of Tourism Recreation Research, the oldest and highly respected, international tourism journal in Asia, is a pioneer in introducing extensive tourism research in the region. A specialist in Himalayan tourism, Dr. Singh has produced several books on tourism and many papers on tourism development and its impacts.

“I would like to commend Dr. Singh´s lifelong dedication to tourism research and his pioneering the concept and practice of sustainability in the field of tourism. His work has inspired many other academicians to develop their own research in the field, contributing greatly to the advancement of tourism education and of the tourism sector as a whole,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

As the Founding Director of the Institute of Himalayan Studies and Regional Development at the University of Garhwal, Dr. Singh started the first Himalayan tourism training course. In 1976, he established the CTRD, a non-government organization devoted to the cause of tourism academics and research, with a special focus on India. Under his leadership, the Centre started an outreach programme that included education, training, research guidance, consultancy, curriculum design, and tourism programme initiation to several Indian universities, management institutions and colleges. Today, the CTRD is recognized for the generation and publication of valuable research on recreation and tourism, and is well-known as a leading organization for developing and disseminating scholarships in tourism in India.

The UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge will be presented during the UNWTO Awards Ceremony to be held on 22 January 2014, within the framework of the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, Spain.

Useful links:

UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism

UNWTO activities at 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 recent UNWTO Knowledge Network Symposium and UNWTO.TedQual Information Seminar highlighted the importance of innovative research and education to support the advancement of sustainable tourism development. It was the first time that the UNWTO Knowledge Network and the UNWTO.TedQual Programme joined together to advance a common agenda (Hong Kong SAR, People´s Republic of China, 16-17 November 2013).

The Symposium enabled the sharing of best practices in innovative tourism research, education and training to enhance tourism practices in both public and private sectors, in order to reinforce the knowledge of future leaders in tourism. It was hosted by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a member of the UNWTO Affiliates and Knowledge Network as well as the UNWTO.TedQual Programme.

”The Knowledge Network supports innovation in policy, governance and other key areas of tourism development. As a strategic UNWTO resource within the UNWTO Affiliate Members, it contributes to advance priorities such as competitiveness, quality, sustainability and ethics”, said Márcio Favilla, UNWTO Executive Director for Competitiveness, External Relationship and Partnerships, in opening the event.

The Knowledge Network meeting outlined its way forward with a special focus on the Asia and the Pacific region. Current and potential Knowledge Network and TedQual members from around the world agreed to reinforce joint efforts in linking tourism research developments with policy makers and practitioners, while also establishing a platform for further collaboration.

UNWTO Knowledge Network

The UNWTO Knowledge Network (KN) is an inclusive knowledge community within the UNWTO Affiliate Members Programme, aiming to stimulate the creation, dissemination and application of tourism knowledge. The KN is made up of over 140 institutions, organizations and enterprises from 55 different countries and territories, with the mission to bridge the gap between knowledge generators and those with the capacity to put such knowledge into practice, while serving as a discussion platform for its members.

 

Useful links:

UNWTO Knowledge Network

 

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.: PR 13077

“In spite of the worldwide economic crisis, Cambodia enjoys continuous tourism growth. Tourism in Cambodia grew from scratch to 4.2 million foreign visitors expected this year of 2013,” said Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Tourism development has been taken by the Cambodian government as a priority for the sustainable development of our cultural and natural heritage sites,” he added.

“Cambodia´s impressive tourism achievement over the last decade is a true success story” UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said. “With its wide variety of UNESCO heritage sites, Cambodia continues to draw tourists from all over the world and we are very happy to see the country placing tourism as a priority in their development agenda.”

Cambodia´s tourism has experienced a significant growth over the years, from 460,000 visitors in 2000 to 3.6 million in 2012, or an increase of 24% over the previous year. International tourism generated US$ 1.8 billion in receipts in 2012.

During his visit to Cambodia UNWTO Secretary-General announced that UNWTO and UNESCO will organize an International Conference on Tourism and Culture in Siem Reap in February 2015. UNWTO has been supporting Cambodia, a Member State since 1975, in its sustainable tourism initiatives through human resources training, the implementation of the national Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) system and community development projects namely the Mekong River Discovery Trail project done in cooperation with the Sustainable Tourism Eliminating Poverty (STEP) Foundation.

Note to Editors:

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 more sustained and balanced growth and to prioritize the sector higher in national policies in order to maximize its potential. The Open Letter outlines Travel & Tourism’s value as one of the world’s largest generators of jobs, a powerful driver of socio-economic growth and development and a key player in the transformation to the Green Economy. To date, 56 heads of state and government have received the Open Letter from UNWTO and WTTC.

 

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

Exploring ways in which living culture, traditions and beliefs can be integrated into tourism while respecting the principles of sustainability, the 1st UNWTO International Conference on Spiritual Tourism firmed up efforts to advance the sustainable development of spiritual tourism destinations worldwide (21-22 November 2013, Ninh Binh, Viet Nam).

Recognizing the growth of spiritual tourism, with up to 330 million pilgrims visiting the world´s key religious sites every year, the 1^st International Conference on Spiritual Tourism for Sustainable Development focused on sustainability and the responsible management of natural and cultural assets as a means to promote the socio-economic development of host communities and societies worldwide.

UNWTO is confident that this Conference is a turning point in advancing the segment and called for the support of governments, destinations, tourism businesses and religious leaders to facilitate networking and exchange the most pertinent good practices and case studies at the global level.

The Ninh Binh Declaration on Spiritual Tourism will serve as a reference document for advancing spiritual tourism around the world through:

• Strengthening policy framework, responsible business operations and research on spiritual tourism in close cooperation with local communities;
• Creating adequate conditions for responsible and sustainable use of living cultural assets;
• Encouraging education, training and specially-tailored capacity-building to empower communities with tourism and hospitality management skills;
• Promoting socio-economic advancement of vulnerable groups through spiritual tourism development, in particular of indigenous people, ethnic minorities, women, youth and people with disabilities;
• Cooperating at a regional level to preserve and exchange concepts of human wellbeing to ensure the survival of ancestral traditions;
• Supporting efforts to facilitate the networking of spiritual tourism destinations worldwide.

Through the cooperation of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the Conference gathered over 350 delegates from more than 20 countries.

 

Useful links:

First International Conference on Spiritual Tourism for Sustainable Development

 

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