from DION HENRICK in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN – TOURISM is on track to achieve full recovery this year and ready to deliver on its potential as a pillar of peace and sustainability.
United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili
This is the message delivered by World Tourism Organisation (WTO) Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, to sector leaders at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse in Berlin.
As the leading tourism trade fair celebrates its first in-person event since 2019, WTO data shows that more than twice as many people travelled internationally in January as they did at the start of last year.
The return of ITB, alongside the recent re-opening of China, is clear proof of renewed confidence in international travel, WTO stated.
“We must speed up and scale up to a more sustainable and resilient tourism,” Pololiksahvili said.
Pololikashvili urged both governments and businesses to recognise the importance of education and training, as well as the crucial role of investment, said to be the “missing ingredient” for turning plans for greater sustainability and resilience into reality.
Investment will be the theme for World Tourism Day 2023, to be celebrated on September 27.
At ITB 2023, which runs until Thursday, WTO will be part of a special industry roundtable, focusing on ‘transitions in travel’, while also sharing key knowledge and insights into tourism’s climate action efforts, and expectations for tourist behaviour as the sector’s recovery continues.
WTO will also provide an update of its leading work in tourism for rural development, including through the Best Tourism Villages initiative.
– CAJ News
