Child Protection has a powerful voice at the WTTC Summit in Buenos Aires
At a press conference today in Buenos Aires at the ongoing WTTC Summit Sandra Howard, Vice Minister, Commerce Industry and Tourism of Colombia and Helen Marano, Executive Vice President External Affairs for WTTC today announced the International Summit on Child Protection in Bogota, Columbia 6-7 June 2018
The Summit will be hosted by the Government of Columbia, which has taken a number of innovative child protection measures in the travel and tourism sector.
It will explore accelerated actions for implementation of the recommendations of the Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism.
eTN publisher Juergen Steinmetz will be speaking at the event. Steinmetz is a member of the UNWTO Task Force against exploitation of children. The annual meeting of this group during the ITB trade show in Berlin in March was canceled by the new UNWTO Secretary-General after he took office.
UNWTO never responded to why this meeting was canceled. When asked by Steinmetz the Colombian Vice Minister confirmed the importance and also the commitment for UNWTO to be part of the upcoming conference but had no explanation why the UNWTO task group did not meet. She assumed the new Secretary General is shifting the way the World Tourism Organization will deal with the problem of child protection, and supporting the conference in Colombia may be the way forward.
After the press conference WTTC and ECPAT issued this press release:
Summit will take place 6-7 June 2018 in Ágora Bogotá Convention Center: Bogotá DC, Colombia
- Increasing interconnectivity and cheaper travel has created enormous opportunities – but at a price.
- Despite global efforts, the last two decades have seen an increase in the sexual exploitation of children. Much of this increase is associated with traveling child sex offenders, who often take advantage of poverty, a culture of impunity, weak laws and a lack of police capacity to harm children.
- The sexual exploitation of children causes long-term physical and emotional damage, harms communities, cheapens cultures and threatens national efforts to escape poverty.
Urgent action is needed in all countries to better protect children from traveling child sex offenders.
The sexual exploitation of children is often facilitated through tourist hotels, bars and restaurants – and offenders frequently avail themselves of the services of the travel industry to exploit children. This puts the travel and tourism sector in a unique position to work towards protecting children and ending this crime.
The International Summit on Child Protection in Travel and Tourism will bring together world leaders, the UN; governments; travel agents, tour operators, hotels and other travel businesses; technology and booking companies; police; international NGOs; and civil society organizations. Over two days they will discuss how to better protect children, prevent abuse from happening and catch those committing this crime.
Possible leads/stories that may emerge from discussions with participants at the summit:
- Interview opportunities with government and business leaders in this field;
- Stories that show what businesses and governments plan to do to, or have failed to achieve in preventing the sexual exploitation of children – especially in light of upcoming mega tourism events;
- Techniques and approaches that have worked in protecting children and catching offenders;
- Businesses and governments may pledge to sign the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, which includes binding commitments to end the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism;
- Specific travel businesses (see list of participants) may pledge to adopt corporate policies against the sexual exploitation of children, which may include training on prevention and responding for travel and tourism professionals;
- Governments and law enforcement agencies may pledge to increase efforts to catch traveling child sex offenders, particularly through transnational laws;
- Businesses may pledge to crack down on voluntourism practices, particularly in orphanages, that do not guarantee the safety of children; and
- Efforts may be made to increase awareness of the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism, especially among markets that are an emerging source of tourists.
Colombian Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, María Lorena Gutiérrez, summit host, said “Colombia, as a member of the GARA Child Protection Action Group for the Americas, is strongly enforcing laws and Responsible Tourism codes amongst our industry, because we understand that we are all -states, business and citizens- the main warrantors of our children´s rights. We cannot turn our heads in another direction. This first Summit in his kind will be an exceptional opportunity to learn and share what’s been done around the world to fight this terrible crime”.
Helen Marano, EVP, External Affairs, WTTC, comments: “WTTC is proud to support the International Summit on Child Protection. Serving on the Task Force allows WTTC the opportunity to is serving on the Task Force as well to mobilize the strength of the Council as it is vital to engage the private sector as we work collaboratively in combatting this challenge.”
Notes for Editors:
Much of the agenda of this meeting will revolve around the Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourismwhich was released in 2016 and documents the continued growth of this crime, the increasing numbers of child victims, and the global nature of the problem. The study presents 46 recommendations addressing international and regional inter-governmental bodies; non-governmental organizations; law enforcement agencies; national governments and the private sector. High on the agenda will be how to implement these recommendations, how to expand and accelerate action and how to use travel and tourism to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.
Hosts
The Colombian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of the Capital District of Bogota, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Colombian Child Protection Authority, and ECPAT Colombia – Fundación Renacer.
Among the co-organizers of the Summit are the High Level Task Force on Child Protection in Travel and Tourism, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Travel and Tourism Council, and ECPAT International. The Summit is organized with the participation of the World Tourism Organization.
Read the Executive Summary and the Global Study Report.
A word about words
When describing the sexual exploitation of children, irresponsible or ill-informed use of terminology can trivialize or sensationalize the issue, stigmatize victims and make it difficult to raise awareness or facilitate enlightened discourse.
For example, the unqualified use of the terms “pornography” and “prostitution” should only occur when describing adult activities. Using these terms in relation to the sexual abuse of children can lend a sense of normalcy and legitimacy to offending by implying that the child has transactional agency or has provided some degree of consent. Children can never consent to sexual activities with an adult.
Below are some other terms that are commonly used when describing the sexual exploitation of children, but that it is better to avoid, or use with caution:
- “Child pornography.” It is better to use the term “(online) child sexual abuse material,” or “(online) child sexual exploitation”;
- “Child prostitute.” It is better to use the term “child trafficked for sexual purposes,” or “child exploited through/in/for prostitution”;
- “Child sex tourism.” It is better to use the term “sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism”; and
- “Child sex tourist.” It is better to use the term “traveling child sex offender” or “transnational child sex offender.”
Never use terms that trivialize the sexual assault of children, such as “kiddie porn,” “child porn,” “kiddie fiddler,” or “pedo.” (Note that a paedophile is a person with a specific mental health disorder who has a sustained sexual interest in pre-pubescent children. Not all child sex offenders have a paedophilic disorder and not all those with a paedophilic disorder are child sex offenders.)
For more information, consult the Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
About ECPAT
ECPAT International is a global network of organisations dedicated to ending the sexual exploitation of children. With 102 members in 93 countries, ECPAT focuses on the trafficking of children for sexual purposes; early and forced marriage; online child sexual exploitation; and the sexual exploitation of children in the travel and tourism sector. The ECPAT International Secretariat is based in Bangkok Thailand.
For more information about ECPAT, go to www.ecpat.org
About WTTC: The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the sector, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. Every year WTTC, together with Oxford Economics, produces its flagship Economic Impact Report, which looks at the socioeconomic benefits of Travel & Tourism on global, regional and country level. This year the report shows data on 25 regional groupings and 185 countries.
Travel & Tourism is a key driver for investment and economic growth globally. The sector contributes US$8.3 trillion or 10.4% of global GDP, once all direct, indirect and induced impacts are taken into account. The sector also accounts for 313 million jobs or one in ten of all jobs on the planet.
For over 25 years, WTTC has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses, who bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, and raise awareness of the importance of the sector.
All star line up at WTTC 2018 Summit opening in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The global travel and tourism world is currently at the Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The president of Argentina, H.E. Mauricio Marci personally attended the opening of the World Travel and Tourism Council Summit at the Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires this morning. He explained the importance Argentina puts into tourism developments, he sees as a massive job creation tool for this South American Country.
The president welcomed the UNWTO initiative announced by UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvilia, to open a tourism innovation center in Argentina. Zurab said later during the opening it would be opened within two months.
The minister of tourism for Argentina H.E. Jose Gustavo Santos echoed the words of his president explaining the beauty and potential of Argentina as a tourism destination.
WTTC CEO Gloria Guevara Manzo reminded attending delegates of the largest travel and tourism corporations that this industry creates 330 million jobs in the world.
Christopher J. Bassetts, CEO of Hilton Hotels took over the chairman role for WTTC last night and thanked outgoing WTTC chairman G. Lawless.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvilia welcomed ministers from several countries including Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Kenya, Paraguay and reminded that tourism is an industry of peace and prosperity.
His appeal together with the WTTC CEO was: “Only together we make it better.”
Gloria Guevara Manzo said having competitors work together for the better of tourism is what WTTC is all about.
President Macri of Argentina: First WTTC World Leader for Travel & Tourism
President Maurico Macri of Argentina was today recognised by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) as its first World Leader for Travel & Tourism. The recognition was announced at the opening ceremony of the 2018 WTTC Global Summit which is taking place on 18 and 19 April in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The WTTC World Leaders for Travel & Tourism initiative recognises serving Heads of State or Government who have shown exceptional support for the sector during their term of office, both within their own country and at the global level.
Since taking office in 2015, President Macri has championed the Travel & Tourism industry by transforming aviation, investing in infrastructure, and putting in place fiscal policies which support business growth and stability. In his speech to the World Economic Forum in January 2018, President Macri highlighted the economic potential for tourism in Argentina, particularly in the north of the country and where significant investment is planned.
In 2017 in Argentina there were a million more air passengers than in 2016, and hotel occupancies the highest ever. According to WTTC data, last year contribution from the Travel & Tourism sector to Argentina’s GDP grew one and a half times faster than the wider economy, showing how the focus on Travel & Tourism is bringing economic benefits and jobs across Argentina.
Gloria Guevara Manzo, President and CEO of WTTC, commented: “President Macri has demonstrated great commitment to the Travel & Tourism sector and we are proud to recognise the President as our first WTTC world Leader for Travel & Tourism. His clear message of Argentina being ‘open for business’ has benefited tourism enormously. President Macri has set the standard for best practice in global leadership within the Travel & Tourism industry as his policies have facilitated continuous growth and economic development within Argentina. Moreover, his leadership extends to the Presidency of the G20 and we thank him for his support for our sector in that forum. On behalf of WTTC and our members, thank you and congratulations.”
WTTC members investing $1.9 billion for Argentina tourism
Christopher J. Nassetta, Chairman, WTTC and President & CEO, Hilton, announced this morning the investment of $1.9 billion USD in Argentina by WTTC members over the coming years. The announcement was made in front of Mauricio Macri, Argentine President, and more than 100 industry-leading CEOs at the WTTC Annual General Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“It’s an honour to be here in Argentina and, speaking on behalf of WTTC’s membership, we could not be more pleased to witness first-hand the benefits of the investment that’s happening here,” said Nassetta. “In total across the country, Travel & Tourism supports 1.8 million jobs today, and we expect to add another 300,000 jobs here over the next decade with our collective investment of nearly $2 billion an important driver of this growth.”
Policies implemented by Argentine President Macri have helped stabilise the economy and his clear message that, after many years of protectionist policies, Argentina is open for business is a positive move for tourism. The substantial investment is a testament to Argentine President Macri’s continued support and commitment to the Travel & Tourism sector.
During a summit among the Tourism Minsters of the G20 economies, yesterday, Argentine President Macri has asked to take his message of support to the G20 World Leaders’ meeting in November.
UNWTO joins Tourism Ministers in calling upon G20 Leaders to prioritize tourism
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) joined the Ministers of Tourism of the G20 economies meeting in Buenos Aires in calling upon the G20 leaders to consider including tourism in their Agenda for its capacity to create more and better jobs.
In his meeting with the President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, and current G20 Chair, UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, stressed the capacity of tourism to create jobs and the need to advance the adaptation of the sector to the digital transformation.
The 8th Meeting of the Tourism Ministers of the G20 economies was held in Buenos Aires on 17 April under Argentine’s Presidency of the G20 with a focus on the Future of Work – Tourism’s leading role in sustainable development: a driver for employment.
In line with the priorities of Argentine’s G20 Presidency, which include the ‘Future of Work’, the meeting focused on how tourism can embrace innovation and technology, foster new skills development to create new decent jobs.
“We need to promote the role that tourism has in shaping the future of our world as the sector that will create more jobs in the coming decade” said the Minister of Tourism of Argentina, Gustavo Santos, opening the Meeting.
Ambassador Daniel Raimondi, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Argentina stressed the future of work as one of Argentine’s G20 priorities and it’s link to tourism, a sector which is key to create jobs, develop infrastructure and exports.
“Let us embrace the technological revolution and unleash its potential to create more and better jobs in our sector, making tourism a true pillar of the G20 objectives of inclusive and sustained growth” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, in his opening remarks to the Meeting.
Ministers of Tourism of the G20 economies agreed on considering the following:
– Encouraging policies that promote full and productive employment and facilitate the progress of innovation in tourism and foster the creation of decent jobs, sustainable enterprises and entrepreneurship, in particular among women and the youth;
– Establishing favourable frameworks to stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship and connect ecosystems linking start-ups, main companies, investors and governments along the tourism value chain;
– Creating cooperation mechanisms between educational institutions at all levels, the private sector, governments and technology partners to review educational programmes and skills development policies
– Considering the importance of SMEs in the tourism, heritage and cultural sectors due to their contribution to job creation as well as their role in preserving and promoting cultural resources;
– Promoting the use of digital technology to facilitate travel as well as involving technology stakeholders in national tourism policies
In 2016, G20 countries received 904 million international tourist arrivals, which generated over US$ 1 trillion or 6.3% of all G20 exports.
The Government of Japan will host the 9th Meeting of the Tourism Ministers of the G20 economies in Kutchan Town, Hokkaido in 2019.
Jamaica Tourism Minister: Global mainstreaming of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises
The Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, CD, MP, is attending the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which is set to begin tomorrow on April 18. Preceding the opening, he attended a T20 “Meeting of Tourism Ministers” at which he submitted a policy brief on Global mainstreaming of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises. The support received was overwhelming. Here eTurboNews shares the brief in full:
Background
This paper seeks to bring attention to an often under-discussed element of our tourism product- the importance of micro, small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) to the sustenance and vitality of the sector. The time has come for us to seriously revisit our strategies for supporting the expansion and improvement of this critical sector of the tourism market. We are well aware that one of the recurrent concerns among many Jamaicans is that the tourism sector does not sufficiently support sustainable development and that there is negligible reinvestment of tourism profits into the domestic economy.
While the benefits and positive contributions of the tourism sector are well-documented and self-evident, there is an emerging global view in many parts of the world that the tourism sector has not maximized its potential to fully contribute to sustainable development. This is due to heavy reliance on foreign imports within the sector, high rates of leakage, insufficient linkages with other segments of the economy and the belief that tourism revenues remain heavily concentrated within the country’s major hotels, especially through the expansion of the all-inclusive concept. I accept the general implications of these views and, through this paper, I am committed to changing this perception by placing greater emphasis on the role of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) in promoting our tourism growth agenda.
For the purpose of this paper SMTEs can be defined as a collection of services and goods providers supporting the country’s tourism sector. A micro enterprise is defined as an enterprise having an annual turnover of less than US$100,000 with 1-3 employees. A small enterprise, on the other hand, is defined as an enterprise with an annual turnover between US$100,000 and US$500,000 with 4-10 employees while a medium-sized enterprise is an enterprise with an annual turnover between US$500,000 and US$2,000,000 with 11- 50 employees.
Contribution
SMTEs contribute invaluably to tourism development in Jamaica. Jamaica’s tourism sector is dominated by a vast network of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) including: artisans and craft vendors, attractions and tours, transportation, beauty shops and textiles, duty-free stores, restaurants and eateries, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, farmers and distributors of hotel supplies. The vast network of SMTEs constitute the backbone of the sector, contributing significantly to the authenticity and quality of the tourism experience, enhancing destination competitiveness and contributing to enhanced brand image, the forging of positive local networks and increased productivity.
These enterprises are recognized as important drivers of economic growth and development in Jamaica by creating employment, facilitating wealth creation and forming the backbone for private sector growth and expansion. The activities of SMTEs also create a value chain within the communities and environs of their operations.
Community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs), for example, pursue sustainable tourism and return economic, cultural, social and environment benefits to the communities in which they operate, either in whole or through joint ventures. They promote the local tourism value chain through linkages, where appropriate, to agriculture, arts and crafts, food service and related small businesses in the communities. Many are also involved in various forms of community outreach.
Many small enterprises in the accommodation sector are already involved in arrangements in which local farmers and community providers supply inputs for food and beverage, entertainment, furnishings and general hotel operations.
Globally, SMTEs account for most of the indirect jobs created through tourism-related activities. They generate employment, income opportunities and wealth by providing a wide array of oftentimes unique and authentic goods, services and experiences for visitors and by supplying many categories of good and services to hotels, especially during peak seasons, such as fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, handicrafts, chemicals, other hotel supplies.
Cultural and heritage tourism
SMTEs are also the main drivers of cultural/heritage tourism. International tourism trends are pointing to a shift from the traditional ‘sun, sea and sand’ phenomenon towards interactive experiential tourism, one of tourism’s fastest growing sub-sectors, appealing to markets interested in gastronomy, nature, heritage and cultural experiences in the destinations they choose. SMTEs promote cultural/heritage tourism by assuring visitors of an authentic experience. They facilitate the consumption of indigenous cultures through the promotion of a wide range of activities such
as botanical gardens, marine and safari tours, adventure tours, waterfalls, caves, indigenous sites/villages, museums and galleries, archaeological sites, cabins and huts, local restaurants and live music experiences.
SMTEs facilitate unique gastronomic experiences and indulgence in authentic and vibrant folk forms, art and craft and musical heritage. They also stage appealing community festivals and events that showcase local cuisine and agriculture and the heritage of diverse ethnic, social and religious groups.
SMTEs and tourism growth agenda
As we move to fulfill our mandate to reposition tourism as the catalyst of job creation and inclusive growth for all, we believe that there is significant scope for the expansion of the SMTE sector which will allow for more average citizens to capitalize on the vast opportunities for supplying inputs to tourism entities catering to the visitor experience in areas such as accommodations, restaurants, cultural and creative enterprises, entertainment, attractions and tours, agriculture, manufacturing, foreign exchange trading, duty-free shopping and other services.
The involvement of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) and community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs) should be encouraged as much as possible. They should be encouraged to take advantage of the competitive strengths of small enterprises e.g. in meeting niche markets and specialized goods and services as exists in food and beverage and creative industries.
In many countries, the long-term structural issues of productive capacity and competitiveness of domestic industries require strategies to improve competitiveness such as identifying suitable niche markets, technology adaptation and innovations, compliance with international standards, reduction and control of production costs and improving marketing information and distribution networks (e.g. through inter-industry consultations, buyer-seller meetings, trade promotion events and expos).
A closer look at our strategic vision for the growth of the tourism sector over the next five years will reveal that the growth of SMTEs will support several of our key objectives such as: strengthening linkages with other sectors of the economy, particularly the agricultural and
manufacturing sectors; strengthening the benefits derived from the industry by local residents and communities; promoting broader participation by all Jamaicans; and ensuring the safety, security and sustainability of the natural and built environments.
Indeed our reinvigorated support for SMTEs is aligned with our broader thrust of strengthening current tourism linkages and identifying new areas of potential linkages with a view to maximizing the potential of the tourism sector for generating sustainable economic livelihoods for a larger number of locals, particularly those residing in communities in and around resort areas. In order for SMTEs to maximize their full potential, we recognize that they will need our help to build their capacities to meet the demands.
Strategies and initiatives
We have already identified the main challenges facing SMTEs such as: high level of informality, lack of commercial orientation, lack of market information and market access, insufficient access to capital for upgrading, limited customer training and low ICT diffusion. In Jamaica, the work of some of our agencies, particularly the Tourism Linkages Network has been helping SMTEs to overcome some of these challenges.
The Tourism Linkages Network for example continues to strengthen and encourage vibrant linkages through a number of initiatives focusing primarily on human capacity-building, assisting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with their development, greater integration of local products and services into the tourism product and expanding the country’s potential to tap into new segments of the tourism market. This is evident in the establishment of five networks (Gastronomy, Sports & Entertainment, Health & Wellness, Knowledge and Shopping) to diversify the tourism product; to stimulate increased consumption of local goods; to stimulate entrepreneurship and employment; and to generate and retain more of the country’s tourism earnings. We have sought to improve the domestic credit environment for SMTEs through our 1 Billion JMD revolving loan scheme for tourism enterprises.
In 2016, we also initiated the National Community Tourism Portal. This portal has become an excellent marketing tool designed to help local community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs) keep pace with the competition by: building awareness of community tourism in Jamaica;
providing comprehensive and engaging information on Jamaica’s community tourism product; providing an easy means for making community tourism bookings; and providing CBTEs with affordable and cost effective e-marketing services. The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) also conducts tourism awareness activities and provides technical assistance on ecotourism, Bed & Breakfast (B&B), agro-tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and arts and crafts development projects.
The potential of the craft industry as a driver for growth in the earnings from tourism has long been acknowledged, in spite of its largely informal structure and other challenges to structured development. Five artisan villages are slated to be built across the island. They will be one-stop-shop facilities where visitors can see the creation and merchandising of craft items, while enjoying authentic Jamaican entertainment and leisure activities. It will also provide an avenue for Jamaican artists and craftsmen to expose and express their creativity by producing unique indigenous items, thus, limiting the volume of imported craft items that are being sold in the industry.
Conclusion
In closing, Jamaica’s experience demonstrates not only the importance of the SMTEs but also what mechanisms can be used to allow this sector to reach their full potential. Through this paper, we call for a more substantive focus on this sector as a means of achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We call for dialogue and a deeper engagement among stakeholders to develop strategies and policies to expand and possibly mainstream SMTEs. Through this forum, we call for a conversation between and among stakeholders to conceptualize, strategize and, to develop a blueprint that will provide guidance to SMTEs globally. Jamaica is in the process of organizing a summit on SMTEs and the SDGs. We will provide you with some more details on this event in the coming weeks.
WTTC calls for government and industry partnership in response to Caribbean recovery
The WTTC Summit is about to start in Buenos Aires, Argentinas. Delegates from around the globe are checking into the Hilton Buenos Aires Hotel for this important global event of tourism leaders.
WTTC is setting the stage and issued this release today:
In response to the impact of the 2017 hurricane season on the Caribbean’s Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a report on Resilience and Recovery assessing the immediate and long-term effect across the region.
Analysis from Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics subsidiary, found that Travel & Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in the Caribbean, contributing 15.2% of the Caribbean’s GDP and 13.8% of employment. However, in around half of the countries analysed, the sector accounts for over 25% of GDP – more than double the world average of 10.4%.
The 46.7 million international visitors who visited the region in 2016 spent US$31.4 billion, which supported 2.4 million jobs. The 2017 hurricane season resulted in an estimated loss of of 826,100 visitors to the Caribbean, compared to pre-hurricane forecasts. These visitors would have generated US$741 million and supported 11,005 jobs. Research suggests that recovery to previous levels could take up to four years, resulting in an approximate loss of US$3 billion.
Quantifying the impact on Travel & Tourism post-crisis provides a level of understanding of the enormous economic contribution that the sector brings to the region and the impetus for recovery. Natural disasters will continue to hit the Caribbean, perhaps on an increasingly frequent basis as a result of climate change. As the economies of islands grow ever more reliant on the sector, it is critical that governments and destination management organisations develop strategies to minimise the long-term impact of natural disasters and encourage visitor spending to return to pre-hurricane levels of growth.
Gloria Guevara Manzo, President and CEO WTTC, commented: “Crisis preparedness and response is one of WTTC’s strategic priorities. We are delighted to present this research which helps the tourism industry, both public and private sectors, in the Caribbean quantify the potential impact of the devastating hurricanes last year and put in place partnerships and policies to help bring the region, and those islands most negatively affected, back on track.
Timeframes for recovery can be significantly reduced when governments work alongside the private sector to implement policy initiatives that are supportive for Travel & Tourism growth and long-term resilience. WTTC strongly encourages these conversations and together with our Members, we are working hard to support local communities as they rebuild and recover and ensure resilience against future crises.
Frank J. Comito, CEO and Director General, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, commented: “In the autumn of 2017 the world watched on in shock at the media images of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever observed battering the islands of the Caribbean, one of the most tourism-dependent regions in the world. The need to demonstrate unity and leadership is especially critical in times of crisis. Actions need to be taken quickly in order to ensure a rapid recovery to those affected by natural disasters and to restore public confidence in Travel & Tourism.”
Joy Jibrilu, Chairperson, Chairman, Board of Directors, Caribbean Tourism Organization and Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, commented: “The events of last fall were tragic for so many across our Caribbean region, and our thoughts are still very much with the countries, businesses and families that are rebuilding their lives now. The best, most effective way to support this endeavour is for all of us to work together. This partnership must bring together public and private entities in our countries and region, and we must also be mindful that the progress of one country will tend to benefit our marketplace position as a region.”
Dr. Taleb Rifai is the new chairman of the IIPT International Advisory Board
“Whatever our business in life may be, let us always remember that our core business is, and will always be, to make this world a better place. Peace is definitely an ingredient when making this world a better place. These words coming from a citizen of the Kingdom of Jordan, it means there is a natural connection between peace and tourism.
Dr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General from 2009 through 2017 was the head of the UN Specialized Agency in charge of Tourism, known as the World Tourism Organization.
The former UNWTO Secretary-General has been a man of peace, building a bridge of friendships and integrity for our largest industry in the world, the Travel and Tourism Industry.
It’s therefore not surprising and highly appropriate for this respected global tourism leader with a legacy like no one else to be named the chairman of the International Advisory Board at the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT).
He succeeds Dr. Noel Brown who becomes Chairman Emeritus and before Dr. Brown, Knut Hammarskjold, former Director General of IATA and nephew of UN Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjold.
In making the announcement, IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore stated: “IIPT is most honored that Dr. Rifai has accepted the role as Chairman of the IIPT International Advisory Board. His acceptance enhances the stature of IIPT in the International Tourism Community and IIPT’s ability to make further progress towards its vision of travel and tourism becoming the world’s first global peace industry and the belief that every traveler is potentially an Ambassador for Peace.”
Dr. Rifai stated: “I have been a supporter of IIPT and its vision since participating in the IIPT Amman Global Summit nearly 20 years ago as Jordan Minister of Communication. As I have often stated as Secretary General of UNWTO – global solidarity is based on a common aspiration for peace – and ‘travel is the language of peace.’ I also believe and have often stated that the ‘core business of tourism is to make the world a better place.’ As Chairman of the IIPT International Advisory Board, I will be in a position to continue contributing towards these ends.”
Dr. Rifai earned a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from the University of Cairo; Masters degree in Engineering and Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and a PhD in Urban Design and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. From 1999 to 2003, he served in several ministerial portfolios in the Government of Jordan as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation; Minister of Information; and Minister of Tourism and Antiquity. He subsequently was Assistant Director-General of the International Labor Organization (ILO) following which he served as Deputy Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization prior to being elected as Secretary-General in 2009 and elected for a second four-year term by the 20th session of the UNWTO General Assembly co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
During his eight years as UNWTO Secretary-General, Dr. Rifai changed the UNWTO and many say he raised the bar of the UN agency to a new high, building a legacy for himself and the UNWTO like none of his predecessors had.
In his final speech, he addressed not his legacy, but the legacy of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. This is Dr. Rifai’s final address as UNWTO Secretary-General:
https://www.eturbonews.com/174096/taleb-rifais-final-words-unwto-secretary-general-make-world-better-place
Dr. Noel Brown to be Chairman Emeritus
Dr. Noel Brown has been an Environmental Diplomat for decades. In 1972 he collaborated with Maurice Strong in organizing the first UN Conference on the Environment in Stockholm, Sweden. Following the conference he continued collaborating with Maurice Strong in establishing the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya and subsequently became Director, UNEP North America in New York where he played a key role in the historic “Earth Summit” in Rio 1992 and initiated numerous innovations in the service of the earth’s environment and sustainable development. Following his retirement from UNEP he founded “Friends of the United Nations” where he continued to be active in advancing the goals of the United Nations for peace, environmental protection and sustainable development.
Knut Hammarskjold
Knut Hammarskjold was the first Chairman of IIPT’s International Advisory Board. He served in Montreal for 18 years as the second Executive Director of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). He was the nephew of United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, who was killed in a plane crash in 1961 while traveling on a peace mission to the Congo. Knut Hammarskjold, considered his distinguished uncle as a second father. An IIPT International Peace Park has been dedicated in Ndola, Zambia, site of the crash. Knut led IATA through a period of profound change during a period of turbulence and transformation and a period also marked by a rise in hijackings. After leaving IATA, he was appointed head of an independent commission regarding the future of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is a not for profit organization dedicated to fostering travel and tourism initiatives that contribute to international understanding, cooperation among nations, an improved quality of environment, cultural enhancement and the preservation of heritage, poverty reduction, reconciliation and healing wounds of conflicts; and through these initiatives, helping to bring about a peaceful and sustainable world. It is founded on a vision of the world’s largest industry, travel and tourism – becoming the world’s first global peace industry; and the belief that every traveler is potentially an “Ambassador for Peace.”
IIPT is a member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) www.ictp.travel
Why responsible tourists should visit Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic and Guatemala
Responsible tourists should look to travel to and support Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic and Guatemala through tourism. Responsible tourists should check carefully when supporting other Caribbean and Latin American Countries. This message becomes timely with the start of the WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Summit) about to start in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Except for Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic and Guatemala, other Latin American and Caribbean countries are struggling to make progress against child marriage compared with countries in South Asia, according to a UNICEF report.
While other parts of the world have reduced the incidence of child marriage, “this has not been the case in our region, where one out of four women are being married before 18 years old,” says local UNICEF head Maria Cristina Perceval.
Latin America and the Caribbean has become the only region in the world where child marriages have not decreased significantly over the past decade, according to a recent report by the U.N. children’s agency (UNICEF).
“We are observing a real progress in other parts of the world to protect girls from child marriage,” stated in Panama City Maria Cristina Perceval, chief of Unicef for Latin America and the Caribbean. “However, this has not been the case in our region, where one out of four women are being married before 18 years old.”
As a result, these girls do not benefit from the same life opportunities in the medium and long term, with a higher risk of sexual violence, early pregnancies, dropping off school, in addition with the social exclusion from their peers, added Perceval.
Only four countries in the region have banned child marriage, with Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic and Guatemala.
In February, another Unicef report warned that there had been insufficient progress in reducing high teenage pregnancy rates in Latin America and the Caribbean: although overall teenage pregnancy rates “dropped slightly” over the past three decades, the region has the second-highest rate globally.
The total number of girls married in childhood stands at 12 million per year and without public policies properly addressing the issue, more than 150 million additional girls will marry before their 18th birthday by 2030, found the report.
Globally, about one in six adolescent girls (aged 15 to 19) are currently married or in a union. West and Central Africa has the highest proportion of married adolescents (27 percent), followed by Eastern and Southern Africa (20 percent) and the Middle East and North Africa (13 percent). Latin America ranks fourth with 11 percent of the total of adolescent girls.
According to UNICEF, child marriages and early unions in the region are associated with the high rate of teenage pregnancies, the second in the world, and the risk of sexual violence, in addition to gender inequality.
Factors to which join many others such as poverty, social norms, gender roles and relationships, beliefs and gaps in national legislation.
‘In the region, the equality of girls is limited by the impact of early motherhood, violence and limited life opportunities. We cannot keep our eyes closed to a lost potential and forgotten rights ‘, hence the urgent call to put an end to these practices said Perceval.
New law to protect children
In a huge win for victims of online sex trafficking, FOSTA-SESTA was signed into law by the President this week. Backpage, an online marketplace notorious for trafficking children, has now been seized by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The new law will allow victims of human trafficking to sue websites that knowingly assisted in the crime and will give prosecutors a new tool to criminally go after these websites.
On the backpage website, a notice has been posted by the US Department of Justice:
backpage.com and affiliated websites have been seized
as part of an enforcement action by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, with analytical assistance from the Joint Regional Intelligence Center.
Other agencies particpating in and supporting the enforcement and action include the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the office of the California Attorney General, and the office of the Texas Attorrney General.