“In 2008, 50% of the population was living in cities and almost half of all Travels are related to tourism; prioritizing the needs of tourists is therefore essential in urban planning. Part of the answers for the future challenges is the sharing economy that represents a huge opportunity for urban tourism”. So was said by David Scowsill (President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council -WTTC-) this morning in Madrid -Spain- during the Round Table on Sustainable Urban Tourism organized by the WTO (World Tourism Organisation), Madrid Town Council and the Ministry of Industry of the Government of Spain.
The round table took place ahead of the 105th UNWTO Executive Council meeting to be held in Madrid, home of the UNWTO Headquarters, on 11 and 12 May.
Luis Cueto, coordinator from the Madrid Town Council, Matilde Asian, State Secretary of Tourism and Taleb Rifai OMT Secretary General opened the session, where urban tourism potential was underscored, despite the need for more sustainable practices also was pointed.
Tourism has become in one of the most effective engines of economy, social life and shape of many cities. This is mainly owed to urbanization processes. Nevertheless there’s the need to face the challenges that urbanization brings with, such as managing tourism growth in a sustainable way to avoid reducing its potential.
Framed in this idea, they were held discussions and debates on the connections between urban tourism and the five areas of relevance during the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development: 1. Inclusive and sustainable economic growth; 2. Social inclusion, employment and poverty reduction; 3. Energy efficiency, envionmental protection and climate change; 4. Cultural values, diversity and Heritage; 5. Mutual understanding, peace and security.
“Tourism is a transformative force that can change the World and the International Year of Sustainable
Tourism for Development represents a unique opportunity to enhance strategies to strength the sector. A city is a magnet of attraction and the relation between them and tourism is of high importance”, pointed Taleb Rifai (Secretary General WTO).
Among the participants at the round table there were as well many representatives of the tourism industry and governments around the world, such as Tokozile Xasa, Minister of Toursm South Africa; Pongpanu Svetarundra, Permanent Seceretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Thailand; Francisco Manuel de la Torre Prados, Mayor of Malaga -Spain-; Haitham Mattar, Director General, Tourism Development Authority, Ras Al Khaimah -UAE-; Siphiwe Ngwenya, Director General, Tourism Authority, Gauteng, South Africa -USA-; José María Ezquiaga, Director Arquitects College of Madrid -Spain-; Javier Fernández Andrino, International Marketing Director and Luxury Strategy, El Corte Inglés -Spain-; Raúl Jiménez, Founder and CEO, Minube -Spain-; Svend Leirvaag, Vicepresident Industry Affairs, Amadeus IT Group -Spain- de Asuntos de Industria, Amadeus IT Group and Eva Ruiz, Marketing Director, MasterCard Spain.
The High Level Task Force Meeting on Security, also held today, gathered representatives from UNWTO Member States, UN organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and private sector entities such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) and the Association of British Travel Agencies (ABTA).
The meeting of the Working Group on the Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics will also be held in Madrid on 12th and 13th May at the headquarters of the Organization. Participation is open to UNWTO Full and Associate Members.
Image over the headline.- David Scowsill (President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council -WTTC-). © WTTC
