Europe United as Tourism Leaders Meet in Athens

• Europe
• 3 Jun 2021

The European members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have met in Athens to advance the safe and sustainable restart of tourism across the region. The 66th meeting of the Commission for Europe counted on an unprecedented level of member representation. It also enjoyed political support of the highest level, with the participation of Greek Prime Minister Kriakos Mitsotakis, and Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas.

The Commission met against the backdrop of the latest UNWTO data and perspectives on international tourism, and in the context of continued calls for coordination to #RestartTourism to support not only the sector but also wider economic and social recovery.

“Europe has the chance to lead the global restart of tourism, safely and responsibly”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “The political support we are witnessing today is proof of tourism’s relevance beyond our own sector, building trust and getting societies and economies moving again,” he added.

The political support we are witnessing today is proof of tourism’s relevance beyond our own sector, building trust and getting societies and economies moving again

Resources and technical support

This was echoed by Prime Minister Kriakos Mitsotakis, who commended UNWTO’s leadership and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to direct resources towards restarting sustainable tourism. The Commission focused on the practical steps UNWTO is taking to guide the restart of tourism and support the millions of jobs and businesses across Europe that are reliant on the sector. This includes the strengthened partnership between UNWTO and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development. As outlined during the meeting, the two institutions will work together to deliver technical assistance designed to drive economic recovery in several European countries, including Greece, as well as Croatia, Montenegro, Georgia, Tukey and Turkmenistan.

Leadership and recognition

Tourism’s importance to the European way of life was further recognized by the Vice President of the European Commission. Margaritis Schinas has previously participated in UNWTO’s Global Tourism Crisis Committee, representing the European Commission as governments and both public and private sector leaders jointly work to address the impacts of the pandemic on tourism and plan the coordinated restart of the sector.

Hosting and chairing the Commission, Minister of Tourism of Greece, Harry Theoharis underscored the country’s firm political and practical support for UNWTO and for global tourism from the very start of the crisis. Greece, one of the world’s top tourism destinations, has been an active member of UNWTO’s Global Tourism Crisis Committee from the start of the pandemic. As Chair of its Technical Group, Minister Theoharis has guided public and private sector leaders in drawing up practical solutions to the biggest challenges facing tourism, including harmonized protocols for the safe restart of the sector, not only in Europe but worldwide.

Cruise and maritime tourism

Under the Minister’s leadership, the Greek Ministry of Tourism announced the establishment of the first centre dedicated to measuring sustainable development of coastal and maritime tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the collaboration of UNWTO. The research and monitoring centre will be based at the University of the Aegean and will capture and analyse data relating to the environmental, economic, and social impact of tourism.

Elections and nominations

The meeting concluded with elections and nominations for positions within several UNWTO bodies. Five countries were nominated to represent Europe on the UNWTO Executive Council (Armenia, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Russian Federation). Alongside this, Hungary and Uzbekistan were nominated as candidates for the role of Vice-Presidents of the General Assembly, and Azerbaijan and Malta were nominated to serve as members of the Credentials Committee. Finally, Greece was nominated to serve as Chair of the UNWTO Commission for Europe, with Bulgaria and Hungary nominated for its two Vice-Chair positions. Members elected Armenia to hold the next meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe. 

Related Links

• Download the news release in PDF
• UNWTO Regional Department for Europe
• UNWTO World Tourism Barometer: May 2021

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UNWTO Members Meet to Enhance Cooperation, Build Trust and Restart Tourism in Asia and the Pacific

• Asia and the Pacific
• 1 Jul 2020

Representatives of 29 Member States and territories joined private sector leaders to identify ways of restarting tourism across Asia and the Pacific region in a safe and sustainable manner. The 32nd meeting of the Joint Commission for Asia and the Pacific of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was held as growing numbers of countries begin to re-open their borders to tourism.

Working together to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on tourism was top of the agenda, with participants agreeing on the need to strengthen international cooperation to respond effectively and then restart a sector that supports millions of livelihoods across the region. In particular, Ministers of Tourism and Heads of Delegation from the 29 countries and territories identified priorities for the months ahead, including the need to implement enhanced safety and security protocols in order to restore confidence and get tourism moving again.

The sudden and unexpected fall in tourist arrivals has hurt economies, put many jobs at risk and threatened the progress made in sustainable development, especially in those countries that are particularly dependent on tourism

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Asia and the Pacific was the first global region to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden and unexpected fall in tourist arrivals has hurt economies, put many jobs at risk and threatened the progress made in sustainable development, especially in those countries that are particularly dependent on tourism. As we restart tourism, international cooperation is key to building trust and giving people the confidence to start travelling again.”

The meeting, which given the extraordinary circumstances was held virtually, featured more than 150 participants both from UNWTO Member States as well as from across the network of UNWTO Affiliate Members. The high-level discussions built on the United Nations specialized agency’s existing work in the region, including its focus on making tourism an important driver of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.   

The 33rd UNWTO Joint Commission Meeting for Asia and the Pacific will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2021, with the date still to be confirmed.

Related Links

• Download the news release
• The 32nd Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific & the UNWTO Commission for South Asia
• UNWTO Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific
• UNWTO and COVID-19: Putting People First

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African Destinations Meet to Plan Growth and Sustainable Future for Tourism

• Africa
• 9 Jun 2020

Recovery and resilience were the central themes as the members of the World Tourism Organization’s Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) met for the 63rd time today. Reflecting the extraordinary circumstances, the meeting was held virtually, bringing together Ministers of Tourism from across the region with representatives of the African Union, the West African Monetary Union and from the private sector, to plot a united course towards a stronger and better tourism sector.

Held as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) leads the global restart of tourism, the meeting enjoyed the virtual presence of 140 participants from 30 countries, including 24 Ministers of Tourism. They were joined by representatives of 10 international organizations and by members of the UNWTO Affiliate Members network.

Priorities to unlock Africa’s tourism potential

As well as addressing the immediate challenge posed by COVID-19, discussions also focused on the key areas of UNWTO’s Agenda for Africa, a roadmap designed to guide the sector in sustainable growth up to 2030. These priorities include enhancing Africa’s tourism Infrastructure, boosting air connectivity, easing visa facilitation, ensuring the safety and security of tourists, investing in the development of human capital development, and improving the image of Africa to the rest of the world.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Africa’s tourism potential is undeniable, as is the potential of tourism to drive inclusive development across the continent. The steady easing of travel restrictions, first within nations and then across international borders, will allow the many social and economic benefits of tourism to return. If tourism’s restart is managed in a responsible and coordinated manner, harnessing the power of innovation and entrepreneurship, then it can transform millions of lives and help protect and preserve Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage.”

If tourism’s restart is managed in a responsible and coordinated manner, harnessing the power of innovation and entrepreneurship, then it can transform millions of lives and help protect and preserve Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage

Realigning the Agenda for Africa

Joining Mr Pololikashvili for the 63rd meeting of the CAF was the group’s current chairman Roland Chitotela, who also serves as Minister of Tourism and Arts, Zambia, and the African Union was represented by its Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid. All participants welcomed the latest initiatives designed at growing African tourism announced by the Secretary-General, including the Brand Africa marketing competition and a fresh emphasis on showcasing African gastronomy and using this as a new market for sustainable tourism and job creation.

In the run-up to the meeting, UNWTO’s Member States took part in an online survey through which they were invited to share their thoughts on how the UNWTO Agenda for Africa can be utilized to accelerate recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and build resilience for the future. Participants expressed a strong desire to see the top five key areas of the Agenda for Africa prioritized in order to support swift and sustainable recovery. These priorities are: unlocking growth through investment and through effective public-private partnerships; promoting innovation and technology; visa facilitation and enhanced connectivity; advocating for Brand Africa, and fostering greater resilience, including through enhanced safety and security for tourists.

Related Links

• Download the news release
• Survey: UNWTO Agenda for Africa Tourism for Inclusive Growth
• Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism
• UNWTO: Gastronomy and Tourism
• UNWTO: Innovation and Digital Transformation
• UNWTO: Africa Newsletter

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