The
resolution, entitled, “Promotion of ecotourism for poverty
eradication and environment protection”, calls on UN Member States
to adopt policies that promote ecotourism highlighting its “positive
impact on income generation, job creation and education, and thus on
the fight against poverty and hunger”. It further recognizes that
“ecotourism creates significant opportunities for the conservation,
protection and sustainable use of biodiversity and of natural areas
by encouraging local and indigenous communities in host countries and
tourists alike to preserve and respect the natural and cultural
heritage”.
“UNWTO
welcomes the adoption of this resolution on the importance of
ecotourism,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “The
remarkable support that the resolution has received, from all regions
and across the development spectrum, is a clear testimony that
sustainable tourism has a vital role to play in a fairer and
sustainable future for all.”
The
resolution, facilitated by Morocco and sponsored by a record 105
delegations, draws on the recommendations contained in a report
prepared by UNWTO on the basis of responses from 48 Member States
which, in a notable departure from its normal practice, was welcomed
by the UN General Assembly.
In
line with the recommendations of the UNWTO report, the resolution
underscores the need for national tourism plans to account for market
demand and local competitive advantages. It also encourages Member
States to promoteinvestment in
ecotourism, in accordance with their national legislation, including
creating small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting cooperatives
and facilitating access to finance through inclusive financial
services such as microcredit initiatives for
the poor, local and indigenous communities, in areas of ecotourism
potential and rural areas.
The
resolution builds on a UN resolution of 2010 on the same subject, and
reflects developments since then, namely the inclusion for the first
time of tourism in the outcome document of the UN Conference on
Sustainable Development (RIO+20) and the results of the 11th meeting
of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity.
The resolution keeps ecotourism clearly on the agenda of the United
Nations as it requires UNWTO to submit a follow up report to the
sixty-ninth session of the UN General Assembly in 2014
