World Tourism Organization News Updates
Viajes El Corte Inglés commits to Global Code of Ethics for Tourism Viajes El Corte Inglés has signed the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, a key element of tourism enterprises’ efforts in the field of corporate social responsibility. Portugal commits to the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 Portugal has committed to partnering with the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017. The commitment was presented to UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, during his recent official visit to Portugal. Among the initiatives to celebrate the Year, Portugal is promoting the rehabilitation of historical buildings in the interior of the country and routes through natural areas. Working Group progresses on the Convention on the Protection of Tourists The continuous growth of the tourism sector and its current trends and challenges, including those related to safety and security and the expansion of new businesses models, require an adaptation of the global legal framework. In this regard, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has been working since 2011 on the development of an international convention to protect tourists and ensure confidence in the tourism sector, an initiative now in its final phase. UNWTO Lifetime Achievement Award pays tribute to the founders of Lonely Planet Tony Wheeler and Maureen Wheeler, founders of the widely-known Lonely Planet Publications have received the 13th UNWTO Lifetime Achievement Award. The prize is conferred every year to individuals with visionary leadership and significant contributions to the global tourism sector.
The 10YFP Sustainable Tourism Programme: Advancing SDG12 During its second year of operations, the 10YFP Sustainable Tourism Programme (10YFP STP) has continued serving as a collaborative platform to bring together existing initiatives and partnerships and facilitate new projects and activities to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns in the tourism sector. As an implementation mechanism for SDG12, the network gathers over 100 organizations working together to implement a variety of activities related to the integration of SCP into tourism policies and the implementation of resource efficiency, climate change and biodiversity protection initiatives, among others. The inaugural issue of the 10YFP STP Annual Magazine features a selection of sustainable tourism initiatives led by network members. Each in itself is a tourism success story, providing an insightful perspective on sustainability by approaching it through the prism of partnership, policy, people and planet. The next edition is under preparation and will be based on the contributions to the ongoing Portfolio exercise – Join the Portfolio! As part of the work on tourism policies, the programme is conducting a Global Survey on tourism Planning. Governments, private sector and civil society representatives are invited to participate here.
7th UNWTO Silk Road Ministers Meeting at ITB Berlin 2017 (8 March 2017, Berlin, Germany)
UNWTO World Tourism Barometer (January 2017) This Advance Release and the accompanying Statistical Annex of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer present preliminary full year results for international tourism in 2016 based on data for international overnight visitors reported by destinations around the world. In addition, this issue includes an outlook for 2017 based on current trends and the assessment by the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts. Furthermore, it presents air transport trends based on ICAO and IATA as well as an overview of booking trends for the first four months of 2016 based on business intelligence tool Forwardkeys. Finally, this issue includes an update on the economic environment based on UN/DESA’s World Economic Situation and Prospects 2017 (WESP).
The Private sector plays a key role in establishing a more sustainable and responsible business model that contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. UNWTO and Global Compact Spain have joined hands to highlight how Spanish tourism companies are making a commitment to responsible tourism by implementing the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism of the UNWTO and those of the Global Compact and thus making a difference in society and in the sector. |
