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executive-council-unwtoHowever, building on its year-long call for public and private sector leaders to “rethink tourism, ” UNWTO placed innovation, investments, education, and youth empowerment at the centre of discussions while emphasizing heightened interest for transformation through Climate Action and the sector’s importance for rural development everywhere.

SMEs, Digitalisation and rural development

Within the framework of the 117th Session of the Executive Council, UNWTO also held a special Thematic Session focused on empowering small businesses to be agents of transformation, inspired by the G20 Guidelines for Tourism SMEs and Communities as agents for transformation.

He reminded this leading UNWTO governing body that tourism’s success could no longer be measured based on numbers alone, “but rather on the impact our sector has on lives, livelihoods and the wellbeing of both people and planet”. Welcoming 16 Ministers of Tourism and delegations from 36 countries, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili underscored that “the window of opportunity to transform our sector will not stay open for long”.

UN recognition as UNWTO delivers.02-117-executive-council-unwto

Now is the time to fast-track building a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable sector. The Session brought together Ministers of Tourism alongside leading figures from the private sector to address the most significant challenges standing in the way of smaller enterprises fulfilling their potential to drive change.

He emphasized that “now is the time to fast-track building a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable sector”. Alongside sharing this landmark moment for the sector, in his report to Members on its achievements since the previous Council meeting, Secretary-General Pololikashvili illustrated how UNWTO is leading the transformation of tourism.

Tourism leaders from every global region have met to advance plans to transform the sector against a backdrop of challenges, old and new.

Also underlining discussions in Marrakesh was a shared recognition of the importance of tourism for rural development and opportunity. In his report to the Executive Council, Secretary-General Pololikashvili updated the new Programme for Tourism and Rural Development, hosted by the Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh, including its flagship initiative, Best Tourism Villages, by UNWTO.

On the eve of the Marrakesh meeting, the United Nations General Assembly was presented with a draft resolution calling on all parts of the UN system to promote tourism in their work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She added: “This important session of the UNWTO Executive Council provides us with the opportunity to reaffirm priorities to promote the prosperity and development of our sector”. I am looking forward to more resilient tourism in the African continent thanks to an inclusive continental approach that will increase the awareness of Africa’s assets, thus improving the attractiveness of Africa as a destination.

Council makes decisions to guide the sector forward. It also reflects the unprecedented recognition of tourism’s importance to economic and social well-being and integrates the critical strategic work streams of UNWTO.

UNWTO convened its Executive Council in Marrakesh, Morocco, as the sector’s recovery continues to gather pace. Central to this is a stepping up of education and training programmes, promoting investments in tourism for growth and sustainability, and providing technical assistance for Member States in every region.

His Excellency Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Handicraft, and Social and Solidarity Economy of the Kingdom of Morocco, warmly welcomed the UNWTO leadership and his fellow Ministers to Marrakesh. In particular, it draws attention to tourism’s power to help build inclusive societies and protect ecosystems.

According to UNWTO data released this week, international arrivals are on track to reach 65% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. Executive Council Members also heard how UNWTO has delivered in advocating for tourism at the very highest level. The 118th Session of the Executive Council will be held in the Dominican Republic, and the next hosts sent a message to all fellow Members looking forward to welcoming them in 2023.

So far, the resolution has the support of 104 countries and is the culmination of UNWTO’s enhanced presence at the highest political level.

The Executive Council is the top governing body of UNWTO and meets twice a year. These include access to investment and financing, a lack of market intelligence and an inability to adapt to meet changing consumer trends.

 

Written by: William Trevan

 

 

 

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