UNWTO highlights value of sustainable tourism

The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has underlined the potential value of the sustainable tourism industry, saying that it can play an important role in "greening the global economy".

Global powers are currently preoccupied with two major issues, according to the UNWTO - climate change and the economic crisis.

The organisation said that, while tourism is "at the frontline of these key issues", it is unlikely to receive much attention from leaders working towards a solution to the world's problems.

In order to raise the profile of sustainable travel, the UNWTO has teamed up with the European Travel Commission (ETC) and the national tourist board of Sweden to arrange a symposium that will be held in Gothenburg next month.

The event will help national tourism organisations (NTOs), governments and other groups see how to make the most of sustainable industries.

Rob Franklin, executive director of the ETC, said: "Climate change is a driver of sustainable development and NTOs need to pay attention to global and European-level policies and programmes that will help them maintain and improve their market share."

Leading politicians and UN representatives will meet in Copenhagen in December to attempt to reach a new agreement on climate change.

Posted by Merv, 12 August 2009 16:40

News tags