Unwto News
Encouraging travel facilitation and connectivity in Asia Pacific
Travel facilitation, connectivity and the sustainable development of the tourism sector were at the center of UNWTO’s 25th annual statutory meeting for Asia and the Pacific and its adjoining conference on sustainable tourism in Hyderabad, India from the 12-14 April.
Talib Rifai, secretary generally, UNWTO
Talib Rifai, secretary generally, UNWTO, speaks to Breaking Travel News at the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit in Abu Dhabi.
UNWTO call on tourists to help reduce illicit trafficking
In the presence of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have agreed to launch a new public awareness campaign calling on tourists to help reduce demand for illicit goods and services linked to transnational organized crime.
UNWTO hosts meeting of the UN Chief Executives Board
Coinciding with the tenth anniversary of becoming a specialized UN agency, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will host the spring meeting of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) in Madrid, Spain, from April 5-6, 2013.
China’s new national tourism strategy set to increase outbound tourism
The Outline for National Tourism and Leisure (2013-2020)’, recently issued by the government of China, sets the ground for the redefinition of tourism development and management in the country, including a strong support for outbound tourism as well as a focus on a greater distribution of the economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits of tourism.
UNWTO welcomes travel facilitation measures by Jamaica
UNWTO welcomes Jamaica’s decision to waive visa requirements for Eastern European nationals and to extend indefinitely the current visa waiver system for some Latin American nationals. These important policy steps are in line with UNWTO’s call for countries worldwide to revise their visa regulations and procedures underscoring the close links between visa facilitation and economic growth through tourism.
UNESCO joins UNWTO to advance Silk Road tourism development
The development of a ‘Silk Road Heritage Corridors’ tourism strategy for Central Asia and China is among the main outcomes of the 3rd UNWTO Silk Road Ministers’ Meeting held at ITB Travel Trade Show. (Berlin, Germany 6 March 2013).
UNWTO activities at ITB 2013
UNWTO events at ITB Travel Trade Show 2013 include the 3rd Silk Road Ministers’ meeting, a session on consumer protection, and a meeting of the World Tourism Network on Child Protection, as well as the first UNWTO meeting exclusively dedicated to “Tourism and Intangible Cultural Heritage,” among others from March 6-10, 2013 in Berlin, Germany.
UNWTO and Italy advance accessibility in tourism
Ensuring that tourism facilities and sites meet the needs of persons with disabilities, both as a key means of promoting tourism for all and as an engine for market growth, were the main focus of the International Conference on “Accessibility in tourism: an ethical value, a business opportunity” on February 14, 2013 at BIT in Milan, Italy.
UNWTO secretary general and Seychelles tourism minister meet in Madrid
In Madrid this week, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, met with Mr. Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), to discuss the bid by the islands for a seat on the Executive Council of the UNWTO, and also the desire for Seychelles to see the Slave Ruins of their Mission Lodge at Sans Soucis be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
UNWTO research shows progress on visa policies
New UNWTO research on Visa facilitation shows that Asia and the Pacific and the Americas are the most ‘open’ regions in terms of tourist Visa requirements. Data also shows that there has been significant progress on Visa facilitation globally in recent years, particularly with the implementation of Visa on arrival policies.
UNWTO and China strengthen cooperation
The Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Mr. Shao Qiwei, and the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary General, Taleb Rifai, have agreed to strengthen cooperation between both organisations as a key step towards advancing China’s tourism development objectives.