St. Ange gone – so then there were five and more questions
The UNWTO Secretary General election is only two days away. Candidates and Exeuctive Council members are gathering in Madrid at the Melia Castillo Hotel already and last minute lobbying is going on full speed.
So then there were 5 – More Questions than Answers for the UNWTO Executive Council when voting in the new Secretary General on Friday (Opinion delivered by Professor Geoffrey Lipman)
Alain St. Ange ran a valiant uphill campaign for Secretary General of UNWTO. It fell not on his ability or vision, but on the fact, that another candidate from Africa, Walter Mzembi has the support of the Members of the African Union – and that included Mr. St. Ange’s country of Seychelles.
In the end, it was the determining factor, and as the race got down to the wire it is no surprise that all the stops came out. It’s pity is that St. Ange’s vision on issues like climate, safety or small island needs, as well as his vitality, will be lost.
But one should not make the mistake of seeing Mr Mzembi simply as a political play. He is young but seasoned in a tough socio-political cauldron. He has done much to rekindle the spirit, visibility, and performance of Zimbabwe Tourism: as well as raising the profile and collaborative engagement of African nations through his longstanding chairmanship of the UNWTO Commission for Africa. His plans for UNWTO are well thought through, bold, visionary, and yet at the same time soundly grounded in the organization’s structural reality.
It is why he presents a very attractive candidacy. And no one can doubt that Africa with its massive emerging population and development challenges would get a massive boost.
He faces tough opponents
Marcio Favilla is a committed Tourism leader, having served his country as Deputy Minister of Tourism and then as an Executive Director at UNWTO. He is a good man who understands the opportunities and challenges facing the organization in increasingly uncertain times. He is an insider but with significant outside experience. His program reflects this. Like the two previous Secretary Generals, he has been in the leadership of the organization for many years. His plans are sound and his commitment is total. He is a very safe pair of hands.
The Dho/Vogeler ticket is something new for the organization – where two people have teamed up to complement their individual strength and challenges as candidates. It is an anomaly. In the case of Carlos Vogeler he simply was unable to get the essential support of his government to run for the top job, and he covers the same region as Marcio Favilla. And the lead candidate Ambassador Young Shim Dho didn’t have the international political support needed to mount a powerful campaign. Hence the idea of 2 for one. The program they advocate is as expected preserving the good elements of the existing regime with a solid future focus – highly organized, designed and professionally presented.
There are however, positive and negative issues in the concept of a ticket rather than an individual – moral and legal, the age, experience, compatibility, and balance of the candidates. Then there is the complex issue of the place of the flagship ST-EP program – now with a new Korean based International Organization to manage it.
But of course, here I must declare an interest, having conceived ST-EP, perhaps before its time, as a measurable, MDG delivery vehicle, in the spirit of today’s SDG’s …..
Finally, there are the relatively unknown candidates.
Ambassador Zurab Pololikashvili has run a formidable political leadership campaign using European solidarity and the proactive engagement of his Head of State to advance his candidature. His program of reform and stability is on the surface the kind of change the organization expects and needs. He targets the right internal / external realities as the other candidates. His “glocal” focus is an important recognition of increasing community influence on tourism’s future..
Ambassador Jaime Alberto Cabal the Colombian Ambassador to Austria, who identifies his President and country as a driving force behind his candidacy and Latin America as the base.. He rightly argues for a full UN state membership of UNWTO – from 150 to some 200 and especially the “free riding” Anglo-Saxon community. He majors also on increased collaboration with private sector and NGO interests through an extension and upgrade of the Affiliates. He presses the right industry buttons on security and sustainability, and it remains to be seen how deep his vision penetrates.
Aside from questions that have been raised on the levers that are being pulled by the campaigns, the real question is can someone with limited knowledge of the wide scale and scope of the UNWTO’s activities, as well as the global relationships, strengths, and weaknesses, really drive the change advocated in increasingly uncertain times.
And of course, for me, there iis the fundamental underlying question – which one of all the candidates, really recognizes that if Climate Change is eXistential how do we make the deep changes to respond to that stark reality. Because as Naomi Klein says “That Changes Everything”
So many questions. Happily, we will know the answers by the end of the week.
Professor Geoffrey Lipman
Co-founder SUNx,
President International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP)
UNWTO names President of Costa Rica as Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
As part of the observance of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which is leading the campaign, has named Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera as Special Ambassador of this important global action. The initiatives developed by Costa Rica in the field of sustainable tourism as well as its international positioning and momentum in this field are some of the factors behind the designation.
Traditionally considered an example of environmental commitment, Costa Rica is home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity. In addition, more than 25% of the country’s land area is classified as protected, and the country is already being powered 100% with renewable energy. One of the most outstanding initiatives carried out by Costa Rica has been the creation of the Certification for Tourism Sustainability. The programme, designed by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, categorizes and differentiates tourism companies based on their environmental commitment.
“This recognition for Costa Rica bears witness to our emphasis on this non-smokestack industry. It also allows us to strengthen our drive to encourage more women to lead sustainable tourism projects for their economic empowerment,” said Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, President of the Republic of Costa Rica.
“The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development is a unique opportunity to promote common action, but also to underline efforts in this field; and Costa Rica’s contribution to global sustainability is one of the best examples to follow. We are very grateful to President Solís for his support and leadership in advancing tourism as a tool for sustainable development,” explained UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.
The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development marks an important milestone in the 2030 Agenda and in the progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in which the tourism sector appears as a key tool. The figure of Special Ambassadors is aimed at providing a global focus to the International Year, as well as to highlight the commitment of leaders and prominent personalities in the development of sustainable practices in the tourism sector.
The list of Special Ambassadors consists of:
– Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa
The Philippines will host the 6th UNWTO Conference on Tourism Statistics
Policy leaders, statisticians, academicians and private sector will convene in Manila, The Philippines, next June 2017 (21-24), to discuss new methodologies to measure the full impacts of tourism. The 6th edition of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) International Conference on Statistics, an official event of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017, will address the topic of ‘Measuring Sustainable Tourism’.
Supported by the United Nations Statistics Division, the UNWTO initiative ‘Towards a Statistical Framework for Measuring Sustainable Tourism’ (MST) underlines the need to measure the full effects of the tourism sector. The UNWTO International Conference to be held in Manila will serve as a platform to discuss the first draft of the MST framework and its future implementation.
The Philippines has become a reference in the region with regard to tourism measurement and a role model in the development of effective inter-institutional collaboration to develop tourism statistics. The commitment of the country, shown in the development of the Tourism Satellite Account framework, explains the decision to host the discussion on the MST initiative.
A Ministerial Roundtable will inaugurate the Conference in order to align efforts to advocate among governments the relevance of integrated and reliable data to manage and promote a more sustainable tourism sector. Afterwards, a Panel of Statistical Institutes will provide the opportunity to share experiences and practices implemented at global, regional and national level.
Other technical sessions will focus on understanding data demands, the link between the economic, the environmental and the social dimensions of sustainable tourism, including job creation, sub-national measurement, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators, and data sources including big data.
Besides policy leaders, statistical experts and private sector, representatives from international organizations such as the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and Eurostat will also contribute to the discussions.
Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett to Attend UNWTO Forum on Gastronomy Tourism
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett will be holding discussions with leading experts in gastronomy at the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, taking place in Donostia, San Sebastian, Spain, from May 8-9, 2017. He says these discussions will be vital to the further development of the gastronomy product locally.
“Gastronomy is one of the fastest growing reasons for people to travel. In fact, the international gastronomy market is approximately US$150 billion. Therefore, as we continue to position Jamaica as an ideal destination for food tourism, through the Tourism Linkages Network, I believe we still have room to grow the market and ensure that every Jamaican can reap the benefits – which is why this forum is important,” said Minister Bartlett.
According to the UNWTO, the Forum on Gastronomy Tourism will provide an opportunity for leading experts in gastronomy tourism to discuss the current situation and challenges in Gastronomy Tourism worldwide, inclusive of areas of management and innovation in the sector.
The forum will be held in a new format, with different events being held in various gastronomy hubs across the Basque Country, showcasing the variation of products offered.
“While the discussions at the forum are of particular interest to me, I am equally pleased that the event will be hosted at the world-renowned Basque Culinary Centre. This is an institution which has a very similar teaching style to what I hope to establish in Jamaica through the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), which we will be establishing in the island next year,” shared Minister Bartlett.
The JCTI will serve to accelerate the transformation of tourism enterprises by engaging institutions and persons to stimulate and initiate new ideas as well as harnessing science and technology to transfer knowledge into practice within the sector.
Much like Basque, the institution will operate like a laboratory where students will get hands-on experience in a modern institution that also offers training to acquire internationally recognized academic credentials and certification.
While in Spain, the Minister will also be attending the the 105th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council, where in his capacity as chairman of the UNWTO’s executive council for affiliates, he will lobby for one of the fiveseats allocated to the Regional Commission of the Americas for the period 2018-2021.
He will also use his trip to conduct a series of promotional activities for the ‘UNWTO, Government of Jamaica and World Bank Group Conference on Jobs & Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism’, which will be held in November at the Montego Bay Convention Centre
The Minister departed the island yesterday (May 06) to attend the gastronomy forum in San Sebastian and was joined by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Jennifer Griffith. He will to return to the island on May 13, 2017.
UNWTO 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue concluded in Baku, Azerbaijani
Tourism ministers from around the globe this week went to Baku, Azerbaijan to attend the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.
This meeting was not only important to listen to the Azerbaijan president, but it brought many candidates competing for the job of the Secretary General together one last time before the Executive Council meets in Madrid on May 12 to vote for the person able to lead World Tourism from 2018.
Azerbaijan is the chair of the upcoming Executive Council meeting.
Among candidates attending was Madam Dho Young-shim from Korea, Hon. Walter Mzembi from Zimbabwe (in photo) and Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili from Georgia who hadn’t been seen very often at other UNWTO events recently.
Current UNWTO Secretary General, Mr. Taleb Rifai had this to say when he addressed the audience in Baku:
We today heard important messages from Azerbaijani president”, Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai said at the opening ceremony of the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.
He noted that what happened in the past are repeated in the future: “As global leaders, we must head to tright direction in a single ship. We must provide freely traveling of the people. Today, the world faces hardships in several places. People must respect one another”.
He said that one out of 10 jobs is related to tourism: “Share of tourism will increase in the coming years. However, if we have authority, we also should bear responsibility. Movement of 1,800,000,000 people creates an opportunity for development of national economies”.
UNWTO Secretary General said that skills of the youths may improve by traveling to different places: “People get rich spiritually and know one another by traveling. Today, there is a lack of tolerance and understanding. People must unite and struggle against stereotypes. This year will be declared as a year of tourism. This allows us to unite our efforts. Global challenges may be eliminated through partnership. We must respect people, environment and we express self-respect by this. We’ll always travel to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a nice place, Land of Fire. You have good people”.
Local children performed during the event.
UNWTO and LGBT Tourism: Second Global report released at IGLTA Summit
Delegates and members of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Associations are currently at the Rennaissance Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida for their 2017 conference.
This morning the United Nations World Tourism Organization(UNWTO) and the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association announced the release of the Second UNWTO Global Report on LGBT Tourism at IGLTA’s 34th Annual Global Convention in St. Petersburg, Florida. Five years after the publication of their inaugural collaboration, this edition takes a deeper look at current trends within this dynamic market segment.
Conference delegates received a copy of the report and were greeted with a video message of support from UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. “LGBT tourism is a powerful vehicle for economic development. It also provides recognition to LGBT communities and gives destinations a reputation of acceptance, inclusion, and diversity that they deserve,” Rifai said. “Engaging with LGBT tourism is an important opportunity to raise awareness, and to raise our voice and stand against any form of discrimination in our sector, in our society and in our world.”
The Second UNWTO Global Report on LGBT Tourism discusses the relationship between rights for LGBT people around the world and the increasing visibility of LGBT consumers. It also looks at the trends that will be crucial to the development of the LGBT travel market in the future, such as the attitudes of millennials, increased global support for marriage equality and the willingness of new destinations to welcome LGBT visitors. It features case studies from UNWTO Affiliate Members, IGLTA members and other specialists in the field of tourism marketing and development.
Since the publication of the first edition of this report in 2012, significant progress has been made in countries around the world toward securing equal rights for LGBT people, and where the rights of local LGBT people are respected, LGBT travelers will feel safe and welcome. The Second Global Report on LGBT Tourism explores future opportunities for growth among emerging outbound markets and offers practical guidance for both established LGBT businesses that want to remain competitive and those just entering the market.
“Today, authenticity and consistency matter to consumers more than ever before, so LGBT marketing must be much deeper, more authentic and consistent,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella. “We are proud to collaborate with the UNWTO to help the global marketplace better understand LGBT tourism, and with the support of our IGLTA Foundation, will continue to fund research that furthers this conversation worldwide.”
This report was made possible with funding from the IGLTA Foundation and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. To download a copy of the report, please visit iglta.org/unwto-report/
The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association is the leading member-based global organization dedicated to LGBTQ tourism and a proud Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. IGLTA’s mission is to provide information and resources for LGBTQ travelers and expand LGBTQ tourism globally by demonstrating its significant social and economic impact. The association’s membership includes LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and travel media in 70 countries In 2012, the philanthropic IGLTA Foundation was launched to support the mission of the association and its membership through education, research and leadership development. For more information, please visit iglta.org or iglta.org/foundation and follow us on social media @IGLTA or the IGLTA Foundation Facebook page.
eTurboNews is a proud member of IGLTA and attending the event.
Alain St. Ange withdrew: Seychelles to support Zimbabwe
Alain St Ange, the candidate for the UNWTO Secretary General Position today withdrew from the race.
Earlier today the Seychelles President Danny Faure chaired an Extra-Ordinary Cabinet meeting at which the Seychelles Cabinet considered a formal request from the African Union Commission for Seychelles to withdraw the candidature of Mr. Alain St Ange for the election to the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
Having considered the stance taken by Seychelles at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting in March 2016, and at the African Union (AU) meeting of July 2016, where member states, including Seychelles, had unanimously voted to support the Zimbabwean candidate, Cabinet members formally reviewed its decision to support the candidature of Mr. St Ange. This is in line with established practices governing the endorsement process for candidatures within the international system under the AU and SADC frameworks.
Mr. St Ange’s capacity to lead the UNWTO is unquestionable, as is his vast experience in the field of tourism. However, in light of our standing responsibilities and commitments within the context of the African Union, the Seychelles Government has decided to withdraw the candidature of Mr. St Ange for the position of Secretary General.
Seychelles will stand in solidarity with the African Union and support the African Union’s officially endorsed candidate from Zimbabwe in the upcoming election.
The official candidate is the Hon. Walter Mzembi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality for Zimbabwe.
The Very High Price of UNWTO Secretary-General Election Interference by Georgia
WorldTourismWire received a barrage of calls and emails from global industry leaders about the story we broke last week on United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) election shenanigans.
Summing up very well this troubling situation was a social media post by SKAL International UK.
“We read the latest news from the heart of the travel and tourism industry with concern, but fully support the courage to report about it by Juergen Thomas Steinmetz and most aptly so on World Press Freedom Day. Silence is dangerous and vigilance essential in combating corruption.”
Indeed, silence and looking the other way puts our industry in peril. We are concerned the response from UNWTO Executive Council members has been rather muted. There has been scant response about the egregious quid pro quo deals to buy votes for tourism’s top job by Georgia.
As an industry, the high price we would collectively pay is irreparable damage to the integrity and core foundation of our UNWTO. Make no mistake, this is OUR UNWTO, it belongs to us – the tourism industry and the citizens of countries in every corner of our world. We are the stakeholders, not backroom deal makers with agendas unrelated to tourism.
The former head of UFTAA (United Federation of Travel Agents), a well-known tourism industry leader and veteran, Mr. Birker Backman didn’t mince words expressing his disgust and sorrow about this election’s misconduct.
“I am pleased to read your statement regarding the corrupt situation surrounding the election procedure and I fully support the courage of eTurbo News to go public.
UNWTO has had the privilege to be headed by outstanding personalities, persons who have brought the organization up from a slumbering past. Persons with integrity and knowledge of tourism and its global importance for not only developed economies but particularly for many new countries for which world-wide tourism has become the primary foreign exchange earning.
It is a great shame if the travel and tourism industry will take the same corrupt turn as seems to be prevalent within the political establishments the world over. Morals and ethics are sadly becoming disappearing virtues. My sincere support for your action.”
Mr. Backman raises a very salient point, UNWTO has been lead by honorable, highly skilled industry heavyweights, specifically including outgoing Secretary-General, Dr. Taleb Rifai. Dr. Rifai’s substantial legacy and the legacy of others who served before him are at serious risk. What happens to our global tourism industry if the post of Secretary-General is hijacked by a candidate and country with the ability to broker deals to buy votes and little authentic ability to lead our UNWTO?
Again, we received an avalanche of widespread outrage, concern, and dismay this week from industry leaders and associations. Each email or call had a similar theme: this must be stopped, it cannot be permitted.
To each of the 33 voting Executive Members, this is the message from our industry:
Vote with moral fortitude in Madrid on May 12!Vote ethically!
Vote responsibly!
Vote for tourism’s future with a vote for a qualified candidate with integrity who can genuinely lead the UNWTO through uncertain times with much global unrest.
Vote with moral fortitude in Madrid on May 12!Vote ethically!
Vote responsibly!
Vote for tourism’s future with a vote for a qualified candidate with integrity who can genuinely lead the UNWTO through uncertain times with much global unrest.
There has never been a time when the strength of character by UNWTO Executive Council voting members has been so critical. May 12 our industry will be watching closely, we are calling for honorable voting to occur.
The world’s largest single industry is at grave risk. Global tourism’s future is in the hands of 33 UNTWO Executive Council voting members. This UNWTO election is not to be manipulated, bartered, brokered, hijacked or bought.
We’re now looking long and hard directly at the voting UNWTO Executive Council to send a strong message the Secretary-General position is not for sale, at any price. The catastrophic cost will be too great for our global industry to sustain.
eTN will continue to report on the upcoming UNWTO Secretary-General election taking place in Madrid May 12 and the General Assembly in China this September.
UNWTO Secretary-General thanks outgoing WTTC President for strong partnership
UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, has expressed his sincere appreciation to David Scowsill, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) for the strong partnership between both organizations as he announced his departure after six years at the helm of WTTC.
Over the last six years, UNWTO and WTTC have created a strong partnership, bringing public and private sector together to advance the tourism sector and addressing its most pressing priorities.
UNWTO and WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism Initiative launched in 2011 garnered the support of over 80 Heads of State and Government from around the world. With this initiative, UNWTO and WTTC aim to promote the importance of the tourism sector in socio-economic inclusive development at the highest level.
“I could not have asked for a better partner. It has been a privilege to work alongside David to mainstream our sector in the global agenda and ensure public and private sector do work together for a better future” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
“During his time at WTTC, David has showed unparalleled leadership and vision, championing public/private sector collaboration and promoting the sustainable growth of our sector. As founder and Chairman of the Global Travel Association Coalition (GTAC), an initiative to ensure the sector can speak with “One Voice” on the key issues such as safe and seamless travel or sustainability, David has united the sector like never before” he added.
Mr Scowsill future plans include joining boards of companies around the world and providing strategic advice to governments.
Silence Is Not Always Golden: An Update On The Attempted Hijacking Of The UNWTO Election
Earlier this week eTN circulated an open letter by Juergen Thomas Steinmetz (publisher) to the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) related to backroom deals and the upcoming Secretary General election.
Interestingly, the miscreant dealings to secure votes for the candidate from Georgia, Ambassador Zurab Pololikashvili, did not generate a large response from UNWTO Executive Council members, who each also received a personal letter asking for comment on this breaking, developing story.
Let us be specific, eTN reached out to Executive Council members directly and through their embassies in Washington. The countries acknowledging our email so far are Germany, Seychelles and the Republic of South Korea. Others did not respond. This is an instance where silence is not golden, nor acceptable.
We got multiple emails from industry leaders, associations, and some of the Candidates congratulating eTN publisher Juergen Steinmetz for shining light onto the dirty pool being played to win this important election. Many expressed a view that it may be too late: The deals are done, the votes essentially have been bought.
But is it ever too late in the day for fairness and ethical conduct? We think not.
The breaking narrative of a candidate for Secretary General and his government brokering deals to secure votes is repugnant and should be resoundingly rejected by the UNWTO Executive Council and General Assembly.
This is our UNWTO, and as an industry, we are being recklessly compromised.
One candidate willing to go on the record with a comment is Dr. Walter Mzembi representing Zimbabwe. Mzembi said if he was elected he would try to change the system to allow debates, like American-style political campaigns. “Unlike the American debating processes, we as candidates are not able to cross-examine each other’s policy offerings and other related matters, like adherence to principle, corporate governance etc. This is the most deficient process for electing such a high-level deployment for the UN.” said Candidate Mzembi.
We believes the proposal of candidate debates during the election campaign period is an excellent idea. We have seen the hard work legitimate candidates have put into the process of vying for the top job in global tourism, but a debating component is missing and much needed. This publisher would like to see the candidate from Georgia debate Doh Young-Shim, Walter Mzembi, Alain St. Ange, Márcio Favilla , Jaime Alberto Cabal Sanclemente, but that would require Ambassador Pololikashvili to show up at events and platforms created for candidates to share their vision and how they would lead our UNWTO.
Pololikashvili’s absence from industry events is conspicuous and this week the chorus of crickets from UNWTO Executive Council members is deafening.
The Secretary General post is an enormously important position for the world’s largest industry. We deserve a response on the brokering of deals for votes, as an industry we deserve and demand a qualified, ethical individual elected to the top job in global tourism. If not, we are being shortchanged.
Something cannot be bought if it isn’t for sale. It is not too late for our UNWTO to make it clear the election of Secretary-General will not be compromised under any circumstances. The UNWTO’s future depends on zero tolerance for miscreant misconduct within the battle for election to Secretary General.
eTN will be closely following the election in Madrid, May 12. Importantly, we will also be watching the voting by the General Assembly this September in China, which could make a world difference to our industry and OUR UNWTO.