PR No.: PR 14072

The UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter calls on government leaders worldwide to acknowledge tourism's key role in delivering a more sustainable and balanced growth and to prioritize the sector in national policies in order to maximize the sector’s potential for development.

Prime Minister Benkiran received the Open Letter as a sign of further committment by the Moroccan government to prioritize tourism development in line with the country’s Vision 2020 tourism strategy. Tourism is Morocco’s top earner of foreign exchange, its second biggest contributor to GDP and the second biggest job creator.

“Morocco has done remarkable work in making tourism a national priority and as a result, it is now one of the driving forces of the country’s economy”, said Mr. Rifai. ”By accepting this Open Letter, the Government of Morocco is reinforcing its exemplary commitment to the development of the sector, in Morocco and around the world”, he added.

David Scowsill, President and CEO of WTTC, added; “Travel and Tourism contributed 8.6% of Morocco’s economy last year at MAD76.1bn and this contribution is forecast to rise by a further 8.1% in 2014. The growth prospects for the sector in Morocco are excellent and it is great to see the country focusing on social and economic policies, including excellent sustainable tourism initiatives.”

The Open Letter was presented by UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai to H.E. Mr. Benkiran on the occasion of the 11th edition of Morocco’s Tourism Conference in Rabat, in the presence of Mr. Lahcen Haddad, Minister of Tourism of Morocco, José Manuel Soria Lopes, Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism of Spain, Amal Karboul, Minister of Tourism of Tunisia, and a wide range of Moroccan tourism stakeholders.

In 2013, Morocco received 10 million international tourists up from 4.8 million in 2003. International tourism generated US$ 6.9 billion in receipts in 2013, more than double the value registered a decade ago (US$ 3.2 billion).

Note to Editors:

The UNWTO/WTTC 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, the Open Letter has been received by 68 Heads of State and Government.

Useful links:

UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

Contacts:

UNWTO

Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 

WTTC

Head of Communications: Emma Coulthurst
Tel: (+44 ) 207481 6483 

www.wttc.org

Dear Members,

On behalf of the Government of Seychelles, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), we would like to inform you that the UNWTO/ICAO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa, planned to be held in Seychelles, from 13 to 15 October 2014, has now been rescheduled to 22-24 April 2015, in the framework of the Regional Commission for Africa, the annual ministerial meeting of UNWTO African Member States. 

We thank you very much for having confirmed your participation in this important event and we look forward to seeing you in Seychelles in April next year.

Please accept the assurances of our highest consideration
 

PR No.: 14056

On 8 August 2014, WHO declared the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005).

In order to support the global efforts to contain the spread of the disease and provide a coordinated international response for the travel and tourism sector, the heads of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Airports Council International (ACI), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) decided to activate a Travel and Transport Task Force which will monitor the situation and provide timely information to the travel and tourism sector as well as to travellers.

The risk of transmission of Ebola virus disease during air travel is low. Unlike infections such as influenza or tuberculosis, Ebola is not spread by breathing air (and the airborne particles it contains) from an infected person. Transmission requires direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected living or dead persons or animals, all unlikely exposures for the average traveller. Travellers are, in any event, advised to avoid all such contacts and routinely practice careful hygiene, like hand washing.

The risk of getting infected on an aircraft is also small as sick persons usually feel so unwell that they cannot travel and infection requires direct contact with the body fluids of the infected person.

Most infections in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, are taking place in the community when family members or friends take care of someone who is ill or when funeral preparation and burial ceremonies do not follow strict infection prevention and control measures.

A second important place where transmission can occur is in clinics and other health care settings, when health care workers, patients, and other persons have unprotected contact with a person who is infected. In Nigeria, cases are related only to persons who had direct contact with a single traveller who was hospitalized upon arrival in Lagos.

It is important to note that a person who is infected is only able to spread the virus to others after the infected person has started to have symptoms. A person usually has no symptoms for two to 21 days (the “incubation period”). Symptoms include fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, and in some cases, bleeding.

The risk of a traveller becoming infected with the Ebola virus during a visit to the affected countries and developing disease after returning is very low, even if the visit includes travel to areas in which cases have been reported.

If a person, including a traveller, stayed in the areas where Ebola cases have been recently reported, he/she should seek medical attention at the first sign of illness (fever, headache, achiness, sore throat, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, rash, red eyes, and in some cases, bleeding). Early treatment can improve prognosis.

Strengthened international cooperation is needed, and should support action to contain the virus, stop transmission to other countries and mitigate the effects in those affected.

Affected countries are requested to conduct exit screening of all persons at international airports, seaports and major land crossings, for unexplained febrile illness consistent with potential Ebola infection. Any person with an illness consistent with EVD should not be allowed to travel unless the travel is part of an appropriate medical evacuation. There should be no international travel of Ebola contacts or cases, unless the travel is part of an appropriate medical evacuation

Non-affected countries need to strengthen the capacity to detect and immediately contain new cases, while avoiding measures that will create unnecessary interference with international travel or trade.

WHO does not recommend any ban on international travel or trade, in accordance with advice from the WHO Ebola Emergency Committee.

Travel restrictions and active screening of passengers on arrival at sea ports, airports or ground crossings in non-affected countries that do not share borders with affected countries are not currently recommended by WHO.

Worldwide, countries should provide their citizens traveling to Ebola-affected countries with accurate and relevant information on the Ebola outbreak and measures to reduce the risk of exposure.

Useful links:

WHO Advice for travellers

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

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD):

Ebola Virus Disease is a virulent disease which is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people or by contact with contaminated objects. Symptoms include fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and in some cases, bleeding.

WHO advice to travellers:

WHO does not recommend a general ban on international travel and trade; restrictions regarding the travel of EVD cases and contacts should be implemented.

Anyone who has stayed in areas where cases were recently reported should be aware of the symptoms of infection and seek medical attention at the first sign of illness.

For further information, please visit: http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/ebola/en/index.html

Influenza:

Following the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, UNWTO compiled experiences and challenges the travel and tourism sector has made and faced in a report which was published as part of the Toward a Safer World initiative, led by the Word Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations System Influenza Coordination (UNSIC). To read the UNWTO report ¨Towards a Safer World: The Travel, Tourism and Aviation Sector¨, please click here.

Influenza A (H7N9):

Influenza A (H7N9) is considered an influenza virus that normally circulates among birds.  There are rare cases where the disease has passed to humans.  The World Health Organization (WHO) stresses that there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission.

There is no present threat to tourists and WHO does not recommend any travel restriction. Although both the source of infection and the mode of transmission are uncertain, it is prudent to follow basic hygienic practices to prevent infection.

For further information, please click here for the WHO Frequently Asked Questions on Influenza A(H7N9).

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009:

The H1N1 pandemic was characterized by the emergence of a new influenza virus to which many people had no pre-existing immunity. It caused unusual and extensive outbreaks of disease in the summer months in many countries and very high levels of disease in winter months. It was also characterized by an almost complete dominance of the pandemic virus over other seasonal influenza viruses, and by unusual clinical patterns where the most severe cases occurred most often in younger age groups.

The pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus has become a seasonal virus, continuing to circulate with other seasonal viruses since August 2010 when WHO declared the end of the (H1N1) 2009 pandemic.

Avian Influenza/H5N1:

Avian influenza, or “bird flu”, is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. Avian influenza viruses are highly species-specific, but have, on rare occasions, crossed the species barrier to infect humans.

In domestic poultry, infection with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of disease, distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The so-called “low pathogenic” form commonly causes only mild symptoms (ruffled feathers, a drop in egg production) and may easily go undetected. The highly pathogenic form is far more dramatic. It spreads very rapidly through poultry flocks, causes disease affecting multiple internal organs, and has a mortality that can approach 100%, often within 48 hours.

For further information, please refer to the following links:

• WHO recommendations (English - French - Spanish - Russian - Arabic)
• Options During a Pandemic by U.S. Department of State

The following links provide a first overview of guidelines and other similar documents related to the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and Avian Influenza:

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO):

• UNWTO Conclusions and Recommendations from the Review and Preparation Exercises for Africa, Europe and Middle East (English - French - Spanish - Russian - Arabic)
• UNWTO Conclusions and Recommendations from the Review and Preparation Exercises for the Americas (English - French - Spanish - Russian - Arabic)
• UNWTO Travel and Tourism under Pandemic Conditions: Review and Preparation Exercise (English)
• Communications and Incentives: the Importance of Fast and Sincere Reporting (English)
• Recommendations on the Use of Georeferences, Date and Time in Travel Advoce and Event Information (English)

Documents Prepared by the Travel and Tourism Sector:

The following guidelines have been used during the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and are a good example of how the industry requires practical and feasible guidance adjusted to the concrete challenges they are facing. Please indicate other documents of relevance to rcm@unwto.org. All documents reflect the views of their respective authors and not necessarily the views of UNWTO.

• H1N1 Influenza Management in Hotels (AH&LA) (English)
• Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 for Hotels and Tourism Establishments (CEHAT) (English - Spanish)
• Cruise Industry Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (CLIA) (English)

Generic Links for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises:

•  A Preparedness Guide for Small Businesses (FLU.gov) (English)
•  Business Continuity Management 2008 (Chartered Management Institute) (English)
•  Flyer: Protecting Your Employees from Pandemic Human Influenza (ILO) (English)
•  Action Manual for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (ILO)(English - Francais - Español - Lao - Japanese - Khmer - Vietnamese - Thai
• Business Continuity Management Toolkit (HM Government) (English)

The following links provide further access to relevant guidelines:

Cleaning and Hygiene Procedures:

• Food Contact Surface and Equipment Procedures (NRA) (English)
• Furniture and Fixtures Procedures (NRA) (English)

Entry Points for Pandemic H1N1:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
• The Influenza Training Digital Library (WHO)

Recommendations:

Additional information can also be obtained on the WHO's International Travel and Health book, Chapter 9 (English - French).

PR No.: PR 14053

"It was with great sorrow that we learned about this tragic crash and we express our sincerest solidarity with the passengers’ families and friends at this difficult time”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. 

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 14051

The Government of Ethiopia is currently implementing a number of strategic measures to further develop the country’s tourism sector, including investment in infrastructure and capacity building on destination management and product development, through the recently established Tourism Transformation Council.

These measures reflect how tourism is firmly established among the development drivers of the country, said President Mulatu in a meeting with Mr. Rifai, where he expressed his full support to the tourism sector, and the commitment of the Ethiopian government to make sustainability a priority in future tourism development.

“Ethiopia is endowed with rich historical relics which, combined with the hospitality of our people, make it viable for tourism. The government has lined up abled professionals to work within the industry and there is the right political will in place to contribute towards tourism”, said President Mulatu.

Mr. Rifai commended Ethiopia for the political support awarded to the tourism sector and in particular for integrating tourism as part of its development policy. “Tourism is a key tool to lift people out of poverty and create new opportunities”, he said. “The steps being taken by Ethiopia, namely enhancing the protection and conservation of tourist attractions, expanding the tourism infrastructure, establishing a tourism marketing organization and a national tourism council as well as increasing education and training institutions in the field of tourism, will surely make tourism a pillar of the development of Ethiopia”, he added.

During his official visit, Mr. Rifai also met with Prime Minister Desalegn, who, on the occasion of The High Level Seminar on Tourism Industry, was presented the UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism, calling on Heads of States and Government to “promote the value of the tourism sector in advancing sustainable tourism development”.

“The Tourism Transformation Council aims to build on Ethiopia’s natural, historical and cultural resources to strengthen the tourism sector, identify pressing value-chain gaps and intervening to allay these gaps based on tangible and scientific studies jointly with the private sector and the international tourism community. Together, we will work hand in hand to make tourism one of the leading economic sectors of our country and Ethiopia a top destination in Africa”, said Mr. Desalegn.

UNWTO and Ethiopia have agreed to reinforce their collaboration in the areas of tourism statistics, sustainable tourism development, public-private partnerships and marketing strategies, as defined in an agreement signed by Mr. Rifai and the Minister of Tourism and Culture of Ethiopia, Mr. Amin Abdulkadir.

Note to editors:

Africa has been one of the fastest growing tourism regions of the last decade, totaling 56 million international tourist arrivals last year up from 26 million in 2000. UNWTO forecasts this number to reach 134 million by 2030.

In 2013, tourism generated US$ 34 billion in exports in Africa (7% of all exports in the region) up from US$ 10 billion in 2000.

Useful links:

Photo album: Official visit by UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai to Ethiopia 

UNWTO Regional Programme for Africa

Download and share: Tourism – Driving Trade, Fostering Development and Connecting People 

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