Favourable public policies, new biz models top agenda at UNWTO Ministers’ Summit at WTM

Sunday, 10 October 2010 22:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Tourism representatives from the public and private sector will convene at the fourth annual UNWTO Ministers’ Summit at the World Travel Market to debate the best course of action for the tourism sector in the face of global economic and environmental challenges.

Tourism ministers and private sector experts will devise business models and public policies best suited for fostering tourism growth.

The 2010 UNWTO Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market is expected to be the largest ever, providing a vital platform for public and private tourism stakeholders to collectively determine the course of the sector for the next 12 months.

“Public-private partnerships are crucial for maximising tourism’s contribution to sustained economic growth and job creation, major concerns of today. It is greatly encouraging to see the public and private spheres coming together to strengthen tourism’s role and address global challenges,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

The Summit – ‘Shaping a Stronger Travel and Tourism Industry – Governance and Business Models for the Future’ – will focus on three key issues challenging the sector:

1. Mainstreaming Tourism in the Political and Economic Agendas – how to increase recognition of tourism’s role in job creation, economic growth and development.

2. Creating a Competitive Framework for Tourism Development – how to bring the public and private sector together to create a more competitive business environment for tourism.

3. Climate Change and the Green Economy – how to develop a Green Tourism Economy.

Speakers from the public sector include the Ministers of Tourism of the United Kingdom, South Africa, Mexico, Egypt, China the Bahamas and Portugal. The private sector will be represented by, among others, the Vice Chairman of Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts (Spain), Sebastián Escarrer, the Managing Director of the Tourism and Transport Forum (Australia), Christopher Brown, the Managing Director of the Co-operaitve Travel Group (UK), Mike Greenacre, and the Managing Director for Northern Europe of TUI Travel, Johan Lundgren.

In addition, the Summit will count on the participation of a wider representation of Tourism Ministers from countries worldwide including Croatia, Cyprus, Gambia, Ghana, India, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia and Paraguay.