Modelling inclusive tourism destinations on the capacity of tourism to integrate disadvantaged groups and benefit from its activity, is at the centre of this report. Showcasing how tourism can function as a vehicle for sustainable development, and the reduction of poverty and inequality, in the context of the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Model for inclusive tourism destinations presented in this Global Report contributes directly to SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth and SDG 10 – Reduction of inequalities; but also SDG 5 – Gender equality and SDG 17 – Global partnership for sustainable development.

“As globalization, interconnectivity and a growing middle class leads to ever more people travelling, the world will continue seeming to get smaller and inclusion will become even more of a priority,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. He added that this publication “will serve as an important tool for the tourism community to create and promote inclusion in destinations, and a valuable reference for all tourism stakeholders in developing best practices for a more inclusive sector”.

In addition, this report highlights the need to foster discussion on and examine new approaches to inclusive tourism in order to drive tourism’s long-term sustainability.

Various experts from organizations in the field of tourism and the SDGs contributed to this report: the Ashoka Foundation, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Google, IE University, PREDIF, the SDG Fund, Airbnb, Vinces, Walhalla DCS and Ekin Consulting. It also features success stories from a variety of stakeholders, such as the Gauteng Tourism Authority, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, CENFOTUR, Korea Tourism Organization, VisitScotland, Chemonics and the State of Michoacán, Mexico.

Just a Drop will celebrate its 20^thanniversary and having reached 1.5 million people with safe water and sanitation at World Travel Market 2018 – the event where the charity was launched in November 1998 by Fiona Jeffery OBE, former WTM Chairman.

To mark the occasion, Just a Drop has partnered with Water-to-Go to create Just a Drop-branded eco-friendly water bottles, which provide a solution to two of the biggest problems facing the world at the moment: access to clean, safe drinking water and the pollution caused by single-use plastics.

Containing a filtration system that eliminates over 99.9% of contaminants, the water bottles will be sold exclusively on Just a Drop’s stand at WTM (BL4 on the Main Boulevard, by N4/S4) for the special anniversary price of just £5, ahead of launching online via Water-to-Go’s website. All profits will support Just a Drop’s safe water projects. Free water refills will be available throughout WTM from water stations located around the fair, including at Affordable Car Hire, Air Europa, Atta – African Travel & Tourism Association, Discover the Palm Beaches, and Just a Drop’s stands.

Anniversary celebrations will take place on Just a Drop’s stand throughout WTM. A raffle will be held with prizes including a three-course meal with champagne for two at The Ritz, London, donated by Travelzoo.

Fiona Jeffery OBE, Founder and Chairman of Just a Drop, said: ‘I’m delighted to be celebrating Just a Drop’s 20^th anniversary here at WTM, where it all began. Over the past 20 years Just a Drop has grown from a volunteer organisation providing emergency relief in the wake of natural disasters to a professional NGO working with local communities to deliver comprehensive safe water, sanitation and hygiene programmes that create sustainable, long-term change and empower people to lift themselves out of poverty. Just a Drop has now reached 1.5 million people with safe water and sanitation across 32 countries. This is an achievement I did not foresee when I launched the charity in 1998, and it has been made possible largely thanks to the travel industry’s generous and dedicated support – thank you.’

On World Responsible Tourism Day, Wednesday 7^th November, Just a Drop will host ‘The Changemakers: How Inspiration has Created Life Transforming Reality’. Speakers Holly Budge, Founder of How Many Elephants, Fiona Jeffery OBE, Founder of Just a Drop, Paras Loomba, Founder of Global Himalayan Expedition, and Ben Morison, Founder of The Flipflopi Project, will discuss how they realized their ideas and created organisations that are changing the world we live in for the better. The talk will be moderated by Anita Mendiratta and will take place from 2-3 pm in the Middle East & Africa Inspiration Zone – AF190.

Just a Drop was founded at WTM in 1998 by Fiona Jeffery OBE, as a way of encouraging the travel industry to give back to communities around the world. Fiona chose the cause because water is the most basic of human needs, and she felt that if everyone was encouraged to give a little, then collectively a huge difference could be made.

Just a Drop’s first ever project began in Ethiopia in 1998 and much of the charity’s work during its first ten years involved disaster relief efforts, in partnership with organisations such as the British Red Cross and the Scientific Exploration Society.  By 2008, Just a Drop’s work had contributed to the number of people without safe water dropping to below 1 billion globally, and the charity grew from a volunteer organisation to a professional NGO. The following ten years up to 2018 have seen Just a Drop develop into a community development organisation that today has reached over 1.5 million people across 32 countries with much needed safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

‘UNWTO/GTERC Asia Tourism Trends – 2018’ shows that international tourist arrivals in Asia and the Pacific grew 6% in 2017 to reach 323 million, around a quarter of the world’s total. Of all world regions, Asia and the Pacific, the second-most visited after Europe, has grown the fastest in international tourist arrivals since 2005. Arrivals increased an average of 6% per year, above the world average of 4%.

Rapid economic growth in a region with over half the world’s population, coupled with rising air connectivity, travel facilitation and large infrastructure projects, have boosted international travel in the region. This has had a large impact on Asian destinations’ tourism earnings, which have steadily increased from 17% of the world total in 2000 to 29% in 2017. This is equivalent to US$ 390 billion in tourism receipts.

Asia and the Pacific plays a vital role as a source market as well, fuelling much growth in both regional and long-haul destinations. The region produced 335 million international travellers spending US$ 502 billion in 2017, 37% of the world total. Around 80% of these visits were concentrated in Asia destinations. Outside the region, 56% of the long-haul trips were to Europe.

EU-China Tourism Year

To celebrate the EU-China Tourism Year 2018, the report looks at international tourism between China, the largest economy in Asia, and the block of 28 European Union (EU) countries.

It finds that 5.7 million Chinese tourists travelled to Europe in 2016, of which 3.5 million went to the EU. In reverse, 5.5 million Europeans travelled to China in 2016, 3.1 million of whom from EU countries.

China’s Greater Bay Area – a major outbound area

The last chapter of ‘UNWTO/GTERC Asia Tourism Trends – 2018’ provides an insight into the Greater Bay Area of China, a project to create a large socio-economic zone and tourism area comprising the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as nine cities in Guangdong Province. According to the report, the Greater Bay Area is China’s fastest-growing tourism region and the Pearl River Delta home to several cities with high tourism development including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Foshan.

With a revamped structure featuring a mentoring breakfast, discussion rounds and workshops, this year’s Global INSTO Meeting focused on offering participants opportunities for interaction. Tourism stakeholders exchanged knowledge on achievements and challenges in measuring social, environmental and economic tourism impacts at destinations. In keeping with UNWTO’s priority of promoting technological innovation that fosters sustainable tourism, attendees took part in three workshops on the potential of geo-referenced information for destination planning.

Guests saw live demonstrations of spatial analysis, brainstormed project ideas using satellite images and learned how to build data dashboards. Such advances in location intelligence can support destinations create more transparent and timely communication and decision-making. The workshops were co-led by the destinations South Tyrol (Italy), Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Portugal in cooperation with private and public sector partners ESRi Spain, SEGITTUR and Vizzuality.

The 2018 Global INSTO Meeting also accepted two new observatories to the network – Panama City, Panama and South Tyrol, Italy – taking INSTO’s membership to 24. “Installing a project of this magnitude will allow us to continually measure the effects of tourism in a particular destination or region. We welcome this initiative with great enthusiasm considering the benefits that the entire tourism sector will receive in the short- and medium-term, and its positive impact on many other economic activities,” said Gustavo Him, Minister of Tourism of Panama, on joining INSTO.

“The decision to join the international observatory network brings with it the responsibility to shape South Tyrol’s development according to sustainability principles. For some years, South Tyrol has been establishing itself as a green region. We see this as another important step in that direction and recognize the value of sharing progress with other pioneer destinations,” said Arno Kompatscher, Governor of South Tyrol.

The UNWTO Conference on City Breaks: Creating Innovative Tourism Experiences (15-16 October 2018) concluded today in Valladolid, Spain, with a call for cities to become smart tourism destinations, where tourism governance and the digital economy mesh together to offer travellers diverse and authentic experiences.

The conference brought together tourism leaders from the public and private sectors to analyse how to respond to the growing trend of city breaks as leisure experiences. They concluded that public-private partnerships, the inclusion of local communities and the creation of smart destinations are crucial for urban destinations to gain the knowledge and define the policies they need in order to respond to the new demands of hyper-connected and hyper-informed tourists.

“We must understand the evolution of tourists towards greater sustainability and inclusiveness, using new technological tools,” said Jaime Cabal, Deputy Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). “Creativity and innovation are needed when designing the experiences they are increasingly demanding.”

The Councillor for Culture and Tourism of Valladolid, Ana Maria Redondo, echoed this call, adding: “We need a better understanding of the fundamentals behind the current demand for city break experiences. Smart destination tools are our means to obtain this knowledge.”

The Deputy Director-General for Tourism Development and Sustainability of the Ministry of Tourism of Spain, Ruben Lopez Pulido, suggested that cities and all destinations change their models of tourism development to respond not only the most demanding tourists, but also to the rise of the digital and knowledge economy. “Being a smart destination is not just a label, but a process towards the comprehensive transformation of destinations, while always aiming at the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

Speakers at the conference included Dieter Hardt-Stremayr, President of European Cities Marketing and CEO of the Graz Tourism Office in Austria, who described what he considered key challenges for the growth of city breaks: transportation issues, seasonality, and the dispersion of tourism demand within a city and over time. “Our main challenge is to attract visitors to come right at this moment. To overcome it destination managers should focus on parts of the tourism offer that are ‘temporary’,” he concluded.

The main conclusions of the conference referred to urban tourism governance models. Participants highlighted that, with the growth of high-speed, low-cost transportation links that provide more and more visitors with access to city breaks, city destinations must respond by prioritizing investments that benefit residents and tourists alike.

They also concluded that with the technological advances that allow the creation of smart destinations, destination management organizations must shift their focus from only promoting the experiences available for tourists in cities, to managing urban tourism in all its complexity. For their part, tourism policy makers should use smart destination tools to study the impact of tourism on the profitability and sustainability of a city, and place the destination at the centre of policy changes. These conclusions will be taken into account in the UNWTO work plan on urban tourism.

The Conference was organized by the UNWTO in collaboration with the City Council of Valladolid and the marketing agency MADISON, an Affiliate Member of the UNWTO. Other speakers included representatives from Madrid Destino, San Sebastián Turismo & Convention Bureau, Ljubljana Tourist Board, Turin Convention Bureau, Lisbon Tourism Observatory, Municipality of Alba lulia (Romania), Google, TripAdvisor, Basque Culinary Center, World Heritage Cities of Spain, AMFHORT, European Historical Association of Thermal Cities, Innova Tax Free, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Thinking Heads, Segittur, Civitatis, Authenticitys and Amadeus, as well as journalists Xavier Canalis of Hosteltur and Paco Nadal of El Viajero (El País newspaper).

According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)’s latest barometer, international tourist arrivals grew 6% in the first six months of 2018 after a record year of growth in 2017.

All world regions enjoyed robust growth in tourist arrivals in January-June 2018. The increase was fuelled by strong demand from major source markets, supported by an upswing in the global economy. It comes after record year-round growth of 7% in 2017.

“Today’s release of international tourism data for the first half of 2018 serves as further proof of the sector’s resilience and relentless growth trajectory. We continue to work with our many partners to translate this growth into better jobs, more benefits to societies, and more opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and destinations”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

By region, Europe and Asia and the Pacific led growth with a 7% increase in arrivals each. Southern Mediterranean Europe and South-East Asia had the strongest results in these regions, both welcoming 9% more international tourists.

The Middle East and Africa also recorded sound results with arrivals growing at 5% and 4%, respectively, according to still-limited information available for destinations in these regions. The Americas saw 3% growth in arrivals over the six-month period, driven by South America (+7%) and North America (+5%). The United States continued to fuel much growth in the region and beyond.

On the demand side, France, the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation all reported double-digit increases in outbound spending in Europe. India and the Republic of Korea drove growth in Asia and the Pacific, while the world’s top source market China reported similar spending as in the same period last year.

Looking ahead

The first half of the year accounts for about 45% of annual international tourist arrivals. The second half represents 55% as it is three days longer and includes the Northern Hemisphere high-season months of July and August.

Against a strong first semester, growth prospects for the remainder of 2018 remain positive overall, though at a slower pace, according to the latest UNWTO Confidence Index survey. The Index value for May-August and expectations for September-December are somewhat lower than the Index value for January-April.

Seeking to advance use of innovation and cutting-edge technologies into cultural tourism practices, destinations and products, the International Seminar on Harnessing Cultural Tourism through Innovation and Technology will be held in Hamedan, Iran alongside the 40th UNWTO Affiliate Members Plenary Session (12-14 November 2018).

The seminar recognizes the significance of innovation in managing and promoting cultural tourism, which is one of the largest global tourism markets, and the opportunities of integrating innovative governance into the management of cultural tourism destinations. Through disrupting the sector and creating opportunities for improving governance, competitiveness and cultural resource preservation, innovation and technology are instrumental in enhancing cultural tourism development.

The seminar will feature three panels, exploring how big data, innovative business models, digital services and marketing, and other new technology can ensure long-term sustainability, profitability and competitiveness for cultural tourism products while preserving their authenticity. The keynote panel will explore how innovation and technology generate new opportunities for, and motivate new players to enter, the cultural tourism sector.

An estimated 4 out of 10 tourists choose their destination based on its cultural offering. The conference will explore how this choice is increasingly motivated by intangible factors such as a place’s culture, history, traditions and atmosphere, or its association with famous people, ideas or events.

Host city Hamedan, historically home to Iran’s famous scientists and poets, is nowadays known for its rich heritage of handicrafts, namely pottery design. The small town of Lalejin in Hamedan Province was designated the World Pottery Capital by the World Crafts Council on July 2016. Nearby Alisadr, the world’s largest water cave, is another renowned tourist attraction.

The seminar, which also spans the UNWTO Affiliate Members’ 40th plenary, is jointly organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handcraft and Tourism Organization, and Alisadr Tourism Company.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today welcomes Luis Araújo, President, Turismo de Portugal, as our newest Member and Destination Partner.

Mr. Araújo joins peers from Visit California, NYC & Company, Las Vegas Convention & Visitor Authority, and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority to become our fifth Destination Partner in five months. This announcement thus marks WTTC’s first formal alliance/affiliation with a Destination Partner based in Europe.

The Destination Partner membership category – our newest member classification – amplifies the voice of major National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) from across the globe, and will serve to tackle issues within the Travel & Tourism sector such as overcrowding and crisis preparedness.

WTTC’s partnership with Turismo de Portugal follows a hugely successful joint-event hosted in Lisbon this month. On 11 September, WTTC and Turismo Portugal welcomed over 150 CEOs, Ministers and industry leaders from across Europe at our inaugural Europe Leaders Forum, to discuss key issues affecting the region’s Travel & Tourism sector including travel facilitation, sustainable growth, and the future of work.

Luis Araújo serves as President of Turismo de Portugal, the country’s national authority responsible for the promotion and development of tourism. Mr. Araújo was appointed President of Turismo de Portugal in 2016 following a varied career in law and government both in Portugal and Latin America. In his current role, Mr. Araújo is responsible for promoting the Portuguese brand, attracting sector investments, and overseeing training provisions of Travel & Tourism workers in Portugal.

Gloria Guevara, President and CEO, WTTC, said, “I am so pleased to officially welcome Luis Araújo as a Member and Partner of WTTC.

“Portugal is a well-established destination with its Travel & Tourism sector boasting a growth rate that is three times faster than the country’s economy as a whole. Indeed, Portugal’s sector is healthy and growing. According to WTTC, in 2017, tourism contributed 17% to Portugal’s GDP and supported 1 in 5 of all jobs there.

“The inclusion of Turismo de Portugal as a Destination Partner helps to broaden WTTC’s representation of the global Travel & Tourism sector, allowing us to more effectively advocate for tourism actors and key issues worldwide.”

Luis Araújo commented, “I am delighted to formally join the WTTC as a Destination Partner, and am wholly confident that this newfound partnership will be a great one for tourism in Portugal, strengthening our travel network and knowledge-sharing opportunities. Our recent collaboration at the Europe Leaders Forum led to a dynamic, thoughtful, and truly special event, which makes me hopeful for our new partnership and future ventures.”

eTurboNews is a media partner for WTTC.

BANGKOK, October 8, 2018 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is set to organise the PATA Annual Summit 2020 from May 15-18 in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The announcement was made by PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy during the PATA Board Meeting on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Langkawi International Convention Centre in Langkawi, Malaysia.

The four-day event, to be hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), will bring together international thought leaders, industry shapers and senior decision-makers who are professionally engaged with the Asia Pacific region.

PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy said, “Ras Al Khaimah has committed to supporting cultural, natural heritage and environmental preservation across the emirate, activities which are aligned with PATA’s mission in acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. That is why we are honoured to be working with RAKTDA in bringing together our public and private sector members and partners to discuss the challenges and issues facing our industry.”

The Summit embraces a global forum for enhancing the sustainable growth, value and quality of tourism and includes a one-day conference, the PATA Annual General Meeting and the PATA Youth Symposium that allows students and young tourism professionals the opportunity to engage with senior industry leaders.

As part of the event programme, PATA in partnership with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will also once again organise the UNWTO/PATA Leaders Debate which brings together senior executives from both the public and private sector to address thought-provoking issues currently affecting the industry.

Commenting on the announcement, Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said, “We look forward to hosting the PATA Annual Summit 2020 in Ras Al Khaimah and introducing the destination to key international industry leaders and delegates from the travel and hospitality sector in the Asia Pacific region. Strengthening the Emirate’s MICE offer by showcasing our world class resorts, beautiful coastline and abundance of cultural and outdoor adventure experiences, will form an integral part of our Destination strategy as we aim to attract three million visitors by 2025.”

With over 7,000 years of fascinating history and culture, Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect getaway from everyday life. Offering magnificent landscapes, breath-taking coastlines and rich, terracotta desert planes, the emirate is an ideal getaway for both leisure and adventure travel as well as for business travellers.

With year-long sunshine and 64 kilometres of white sandy beaches, just 45 minutes from the busy metropolis of Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah presents an extensive selection of exclusive outdoor activities from mountain biking and kayaking to desert safaris, fishing and golf. Travellers can also have the unique experience of trekking the tallest mountain in the UAE, Jebel Jais, and descending via the world’s longest zipline. These experiences dovetail well with the premium accommodation, the eclectic selection of international gourmet experiences and the world class spas.