Exports from international tourism rise 4% in 2015
International tourism receipts in destinations around the world grew by 3.6% in 2015, in line with the 4.4% increase in international arrivals. For the fourth consecutive year, international tourism grew faster than world merchandise trade, raising tourism’s share in world’s exports to 7% in 2015. The total export value from international tourism amounted to US$ 1.4 trillion.
With the attendance by more than 300 representatives from 50 countries, including 17 ministers and secretaries of tourism, the 103rd session of the UNWTO Executive Council concluded on Wednesday. The session took place during a key time for the sector as it continues on its upward growth trend, already accounting for 7 per cent of total world exports (9-11 May, Malaga, Spain)
UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism: Call for Applications is now open
The call for applications for the 13th UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism is now open. The deadline for applications is 30 September 2016. The UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism distinguish innovative tourism initiatives with outstanding achievements in the following four categories: Public Policy and Governance, Enterprises, Non-Governmental Organizations and Research and Technology.
First World Conference on Tourism for Development: Premier Li of China calls for higher financing for development in tourism
The role of tourism in fighting poverty and building peace were the key focus of the First World Conference on Tourism for Development. Opening the conference, Premier Li Keqiang underlined the role of tourism in lifting people out of poverty and the importance of stepping up international cooperation in tourism. The event, organized by UNWTO and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, gathered in Beijing 1000 participants from over 100 countries (18-21 May, Bejing, China).
UNWTO Europe Meeting discusses digitalization and new business models
Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania, this week hosted representatives of 34 countries for the 60th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe. Discussions focused on major tourism trends and the priorities and agenda of the Organization for the region. The meeting was followed by a seminar on new business models (26-27 May 2016, Vilnius, Lithuania)
In 2015, tourism continued to be a key driver of the global economic recovery, and a vital contributor to job creation, poverty alleviation, environmental protection and multicultural peace and understanding across the globe.
International tourist arrivals grew by 4.4% to reach a total of 1,184 million. Some 50 million more tourists travelled to international destinations around the world last year as compared to 2014.
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Meeting of the Committee for Tourism Ethics
The 17th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics, held at the UNWTO Headquarters in Madrid, Spain on 26-27 April 2016 discussed the advances in the process of conversion of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism into an international convention and reiterated the importance of transforming the Code into legally binding international law.
The process of transformation is led by a group of UNWTO Member States which is currently drafting the text of the convention to be presented to the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly to be held in China in 2017.
Learn more about UNWTO’s Ethics Programme here
