Updated UNWTO Statement on the Zika Virus
Following the declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 1 February 2016 on the Zika virus, UNWTO recalls that according to WHO there should be no restrictions on travel with the affected areas and that the following travel measures should be observed:
WHO statement on the first meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) Emergency Committee on Zika virus and observed increase in neurological disorders and neonatal malformations, 1 February 2016
UNWTO Statement on the Zika Virus
UNWTO is closely monitoring the situation and in close contact with WHO and the relevant tourism authorities.
Shopping Tourism, key for destination marketing
“One of the most used tools in the promotion of destinations” this is how Shopping Tourism was described at the opening of the 2ndConference on this segment, organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on the occasion of the Spanish Tourism Fair (FITUR) (22 January 2016).
Tourism Ministers discuss collaboration between tourism and security
Ministers of Tourism and High Level officials from 86 countries gathered in Madrid to discuss the development of closer collaboration mechanisms between tourism and security administrations to ensure a safe, secure and seamless travel framework (Madrid, 22 January 2016)
Accessible tourism: a right and a business opportunity
With the objective of highlighting the best accessibility practices that the private sector has implemented, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) organized, in cooperation with the ONCE Foundation, an event on “Accessible Tourism as an Effective Business Strategy” held in the context of FITUR (Madrid, 22 January 2016).
Investour consolidates role as catalyst of tourism development in Africa
Promoting sustainable development in Africa through the facilitation of networking and business opportunities in African tourism constitutes the main objective of the Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa, organized by the World Tourism Organization and Casa África at the FITUR International Tourism Fair. Some twenty African tourism ministers attended the seventh edition of this initiative, which was inaugurated by UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, he Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism of the Government of Spain, José Manuel Soria and the Director General of Casa África, Luis Padrón.
Sustainable tourism initiatives recognized by the UNWTO Awards
The Itaipu Technological Park (Brazil), the Treetop Walking Path (Lithuania), the Sisterhood of Survivors Program (Nepal) and Re-Inventing the Government in Tourism (Indonesia) were the winners of the 12th UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism. The projects were selected among more than 100 candidatures from 30 countries (Madrid, Spain, 20 January 2016).
International tourist arrivals up 4% reach a record 1.2 billion in 2015
International tourist arrivals grew by 4.4% in 2015 to reach a total of 1,184 million in 2015, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Some 50 million more tourists (overnight visitors) travelled to international destinations around the world last year as compared to 2014.
UNWTO strongly condemns attacks in Ouagadougou
UNWTO strongly condemns the attacks perpetrated in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. On the behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO expresses its condolences to the families and friends of the victims and to the people of Burkina Faso in this difficult moment.
Visa Openness levels continue to progress
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has been long advocating for the need to advance travel faciliation as a means to promote tourism development and multiply its socio-economic benefits. According to UNWTO’s latest Visa Openess Report, the share of tourists requiring to obtain a visa prior to travelling continues to decline and is at its lowest level ever. In 2015, 39% of the world population could travel for tourism without obtaining a traditional visa prior to departure as compared to only 23% in 2008.