Tourism leaders call for supportive global policies of travel and tourism industry at UNWTO Ministers’ Summit

Around 80 Tourism Ministers meeting at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Ministers’ Summit held on November 10, 2009 at the World Travel Market, London called for global policies that are supportive of the travel and tourism industry. Ministers recalled that tourism is one of the world’s top job creators and can be a key driver of recovery and transformation towards the Green Economy. As the global economy still struggles, governments were requested not to impose extra burdens on travel, such as fiscal measures, and to maintain stimulus policies in support of tourism as this in turn will contribute to sustainable economic growth.

In the context of the UNWTO Roadmap for Recovery, Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General Ad Interim, UNWTO stressed that travel and tourism stakeholders must work together in the same way as world leaders and move forward on the spirit of global cooperation. The Roadmap highlights tourism’s contribution to the ongoing global efforts to tackle the economic crisis and position tourism as a primary vehicle for job creation, economic recovery and transformation to the Green Economy.