UNWTO News Updates
22nd UNWTO General Assembly in China: a week of important achievements The approval of the Chengdu Declaration on Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals, the adoption of the Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics and the appointment by consensus of Zurab Pololikashvili as Secretary-General for 2018-2021 were only some of the achievements of the 22nd session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), held in Chengdu, China last week. Historical decision: approval of the UNWTO Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics The member States of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) approved today an historical document – the UNWTO Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics. The Convention, approved at the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly transforms the Code of Ethics for Tourism into an international convention, the first in the life of the Organization. The 22nd UNWTO General Assembly appoints Zurab Pololikashvili as Secretary General for 2018-2021 Zurab Pololikashvili, current Ambassador of Georgia to Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Andorra, has been appointed Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the period 2018-2021. More than 1300 delegates attend 22nd UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu More than 1300 delegates from over 130 countries attended the opening of the 22nd session of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Chengdu, China this morning. During the next four days, the priorities of the Organization for 2018-2019, the transformation of the UNWTO Code of Ethics for Tourism into an International Convention and the impact of technology on tourism will centre the discussions. On the agenda of the Assembly is also the election of the Secretary General for the next four years. International tourism – strongest half-year results since 2010 Destinations worldwide welcomed 598 million international tourists in the first six months of 2017, some 36 million more than in the same period of 2016. At 6%, growth was well above the trend of recent years, making the current January-June period the strongest half-year since 2010.
Development of Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account in Oman The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism of Oman, organized a workshop on the Development of a Tourism Statistics System for Ministry officials and all related stakeholders in addition to the technical sessions on measuring tourism employment and investment in tourism. The workshops were conducted within the framework of UNWTO’s project for the Development of Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) in Oman which started in 2015 and is scheduled to be completed in 2018 with the compilation of a Tourism Satellite Account for the country. The project aims to develop a Tourism Statistics System to help develop the tourism sector in all its aspects of tourism policy, planning management marketing and promotion.
UNWTO course in Argentina on “Gastronomy as a tourist attraction factor” (24-29 September, Ushuaia, Argentina)
New Platform Tourism Services (or the so-called Sharing Economy) – Understand, Rethink and Adapt This report aims to gain a better understanding of how new platform tourism services, or the so-called Sharing Economy, is shaping the tourism sector. It seeks to identify the specific opportunities and challenges it poses across destinations, how these are being addressed, and the way forward. Drawing on the responses of a UNWTO survey, this exploratory study offers a global overview of the current situation, impact and future importance of these services in five main areas of tourism – information, accommodation, transport, food and tourism activities.
As the United Nations General Assembly affirmed when announcing the adoption of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, tourism can contribute to all the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental – and each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Not only does the sector spearhead growth, it also improves the quality of people’s lives. It can bolster environmental protection, champion diverse cultural heritage, and strengthen peace in the world. In this spirit, World Tourism Day 2017 presents a unique opportunity to raise awareness on the contribution of sustainable tourism to development among public and private sector decision-makers and the international community, while mobilizing all stakeholders to work together in making tourism a catalyst for positive change. The World Tourism Day 2017 Official Celebration will be held in Doha, Qatar, under the theme "Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development" Join us in celebrating this special day! #WTD2017 #IY2017 #TravelEnjoyRespect #SDGs Visit the World Tourism Day 2017 website Visit the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development website |
