Unwto News
UNWTO: Global body issues commitment to accessible tourism
Some 500 delegates from 60 countries have convened in Bangkok, Thailand, to take part in the official celebrations for the World Tourism Day. The event is this year dedicated to the theme ‘Tourism for all: Promoting Universal Accessibility.’ Policy frameworks, capacity building, business strategies and awareness raising have been some of the areas tackled during the week of events that commenced with a ‘Tourism and the Media’ Session.
PATA redevelops website to offer universal accessibility
On the occasion of World Tourism Day 2016, under the theme of ‘Tourism for All – Promoting Universal Accessibility’, the Pacific Asia Travel Association has announced the relaunch of its official website. PATA.com has be redesigned for universal accessibility.
Africa nominates Mzembi to head UNWTO
African nations have nominated a Zimbabwean, Walter Mzembi, as their candidate to become the new head of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. Should Mzembi get the post, it will be the first time in the organisation’s 43-year history that an African would head the organisation.
UNWTO praises Indonesia visa free travel initiative
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has expressed its full support to the decision of the government of Indonesia to grant free visa to citizens from 169 countries. The measure looks for attracting international tourism to the country by simplifying travel procedures and follows research by UNWTO and WTTC that shows that visa facilitation in the ASEAN economies could create between 333,000 to 654,000 new jobs in a period of three years.
Airbnb joins the United Nations World Tourism Organisation
Airbnb has officially joined the World Tourism Organization as an affiliate member. In doing so, Airbnb joins the most influential community of leaders within the travel and tourism sector, including the UNWTO’s 157 member states and over 480 affiliate members from the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.
Egypt welcomes UNWTO flight ban call
The Egyptian minister of tourism, Yehia Rashed, has welcomed the UNWTO’s call for the lifting of any unnecessary bans on travel for tourists. The UNWTO comments were made at the start of the UNWTO Executive Council meeting in Malaga, Spain.
UNWTO: Tourism valued at £1.4tn in 2015
International tourism receipts in destinations around the world grew by 3.6 per cent in 2015, in line with the 4.4 per cent increase in international arrivals, according to the latest figures from the UNWTO. For the fourth consecutive year, international tourism grew faster than world merchandise trade, raising tourism’s share in world’s exports to seven per cent in 2015. The total export value from international tourism amounted to US$1.4 trillion.
UNWTO expresses support for Ecuador tourism following earthquake
Ministers and high representatives of UNWTO Members States in the Americas meeting in Havana, Cuba have express their full support to Ecuador following the tragic earthquake that struck the country’s central coast on April 16th, 2016. The statement came during the occasion 60th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the Americas.
UNWTO: Bright future for Greek tourism
United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary general Taleb Rifai has expressed the confidence of the organisation in the continued growth of the tourism sector in Greece. In 2015, international tourist arrivals to Greece grew by seven per cent to reach 23.6 million, while exports generated by the sector increased by six per cent to €14.2 billion.
UNWTO bets on Egyptian tourism recovery
UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai, has expressed the organisations’ full confidence in the recovery of tourism in Egypt during a recent visit to the country. On the occasion, Rifai met with Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in the presence of the Egyptian minister of tourism, Hisham Zaazou. The resident reiterated his full support to the tourism sector and its utmost determination in ensuring that Egypt is a safe, attractive and leading tourism destination saying “if tourism recovers, Egypt will recover”.
Terror hits North Africa as global tourism soars
International tourist arrivals grew by 4.4 per cent in 2015 to reach a total of 1,184 million in 2015, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Some 50 million more tourists (overnight visitors) travelled to international destinations around the world last year as compared to 2014. However, attacks by the Islamic State group have led to a fall in tourism in parts of North Africa.
Travel Consul welcomed to UNWTO
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has welcomed Travel Consul as a member of its Affiliate Membership Program during its recent General Assembly held in Medellin, Colombia. Travel Consul is a fast growing international marketing communications alliance consisting of advertising, brand strategy, public relations, digital, media and marketing firms spread across the globe - all specialising in travel.