UNWTO News Page 26
UNWTO praises global visa openness
Visa facilitation has experienced strong progress in recent years, particularly through the implementation of visa on arrival policies according to UNWTO’s latest Visa Openness Report. This largely reflects an increased awareness among policymakers of the positive impacts of visa facilitation on tourism and economic growth.
UNWTO: International tourism arrivals reach new peak
International tourist arrivals reached a total of 1,138 million in 2014, a 4.7 per cent increase over the previous year, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. For 2015, UNWTO forecasts international tourism to grow by three to four per cent, further contributing to the global economic recovery.
UNWTO and UNESCO to organise first World Conference on Tourism & Culture
Officials at the UNWTO and UNESCO have announced the first World Conference on Tourism & Culture. The event will bring together, for the first time, ministers of tourism and ministers of culture from around the world, experts and stakeholders from both sectors to explore new models of partnership. The event will take place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from February 4th-6th next year.
WYSE Travel Confederation signs Memorandum of Understanding with UNWTO
The World Youth Student and Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) have formed a strategic partnership to further support and advance the youth, student and educational travel market, worth USD 182 billion in 2013.
UNWTO calls for support to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia
UNWTO is deeply saddened by the news of the devastating floods currently affecting Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. On behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO conveys its heartfelt sympathy to the affected communities and to the Governments of the three countries.
UNWTO and World Vision join forces to fight child exploitation in tourism
As tourism continues to grow globally, particularly in South East Asia, it is becoming increasingly urgent to consider its impact on local communities, particular where this relates to child exploitation. This is why UNWTO and World Vision East Asia Regional Office have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, forging a partnership aimed at fighting the exploitation of children in the tourism sector (17 April 2014).
Alain St.Ange to attend the UNWTO 56th Commission Meeting
The Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, at the kind invitation of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the government of Angola, will represent Seychelles at the UNWTO 56th Commission Meeting for Africa (CAF), and the Regional Seminar on Tourism and Air Connectivity in Africa, to be held from April 28-30, 2014 in Angola.
UNWTO member states set priorities for European Tourism
European Tourism representatives gathered at the 57th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe identified enhanced international cooperation, innovation, private-public partnerships and accessibility as main priorities to ensure the sector’s future competiveness.
Routes and UNWTO to strengthen its partnership in Georgia
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will be holding its Silk Road Task Force meeting during this year’s Routes Silk Road event which will take place in Tbilisi, Georgia on 6-8 July.
UNWTO welcomes UK government decision to review APD
UNWTO welcomes the recent decision by the UK government to reform the Air Passenger Duty (APD). The current APD system, in place since 2008, has significantly hindered UK’s tourism while creating important market distortions affecting long-haul destinations.
UNWTO: Global report on the meetings industry launched
The meetings industry is one of the fundamental segments of the tourism sector. UNWTO’s newly released Global Report on the Meetings Industry provides an overall view of the main issues facing destinations aiming to build a competitive meetings industry along with case studies from around the world.
San Marino to host 1st UNWTO European Conference on Accessible Tourism
Policies and measures to promote universal accessibility in tourism will be at the centre of the 1st UNWTO European Conference on Accessible Tourism, jointly organised by UNWTO and the Government of the Republic of San Marino in November 2014.