The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) expresses its firm resentment over the recently-announced decision by the United States Administration to restore travel restrictions with Cuba.

“This represents a step backwards and a strong attack on the freedom of travel,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.

“This decision will have limited impact on Cuba’s tourism development, yet it will substantially affect the US economy and American jobs. Many US companies have started to invest in and do business with Cuba in view of the immense potential of Cuban tourism, which other countries will surely continue to benefit from,“ he added.

Tourism is one of the key economic sectors in Cuba, supporting many livelihoods and drawing significant interest from foreign investors, which will surely continue being the case.

In 2016 Cuba received over 4 million international visitors, a growth of over 1 million in only five years.

UNWTO and WTTC Tourism leaders are in the process of leaving for Manila, Philippines.

Sustainable tourism is increasingly relevant in national agendas for its role in fostering economic growth, social inclusiveness and the protection of cultural and natural assets. This is now also recognized at the highest international level with the UN General Assembly having adopted several resolutions acknowledging the role of tourism in sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

All this calls for evidence to support policy and track progress. Therefore, a statistical framework is being developed—one that integrates the various dimensions of sustainable tourism (economic, environmental and social) and across relevant spatial levels (global, national and subnational). 

The Manila Conference will be a landmark opportunity to discuss methodological advances, explore emerging issues and learn from pioneering country experiences in this area of measurement. UNWTO recognizes that, apart from being a technical exercise, the development and implementation of a statistical framework for sustainable tourism is very much a strategic endeavour that will require stakeholder engagement, inter-institutional coordination and political leadership. 

In the context of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017,  the Conference will gather Ministers, Statistical Chiefs, Policy experts and statisticians dedicated to sustainable development, environment and tourism.

Official website of this conference, where online registration and updated information are available, is at www.mstconference.org   

Philippine-based reporter Dean Bernardo will cover the event for eTN and WorldTourismWire, and is available to conduct interviews and listen to your feedback.