The eleventh meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics closed in Rome, Italy, on July 13, with calls to make “Safe Coastal Tourism” a priority in coastal destinations worldwide.

International tourist arrivals worldwide grew by 5% in the first four months of 2012, despite remaining economic uncertainties in some of the major outbound markets.

Tourism, providing jobs and supporting the livelihoods of millions, particularly of women and young people, is central to advancing the three pillars of sustainability, agreed participants meeting at a Rio+20 tourism event.

World leaders at the G20 summit in Mexico have for the first time recognised the importance of tourism as a driver of jobs, growth and economic recovery. The Leaders’ Declaration from the annual meeting, this year held in Los Cabos, stated: “We recognise the role of travel and tourism as a vehicle for job creation, economic growth and development, and, while recognising the sovereign right of States to control the entry of foreign nationals, we will work towards developing travel facilitation initiatives in support of job creation, quality work, poverty reduction and global growth.”

Jamaican prime minister Portia Simpson Miller has argued tourism is delivering jobs, income and well-being around the world and deserves increased support from political leaders in these challenging economic times. Miller delivered the message during a meeting with United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary-general Taleb Rifai and World Travel & Tourism Council president David Scowsill in Montego Bay, Jamaica, earlier.

“On this occasion, I would like to underscore the role of tourism as a creator of jobs in today’s difficult situation, especially among younger populations who find themselves unfairly denied access to the labor market,” said His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias, Spain, opening the 93rd session of the UNWTO Executive Council.