Over 1000 experts from 88 countries convened for four days in Manila, The Philippines, at the 6th International Conference on Tourism Statistics: Measuring Sustainable Tourism .
Ministers, Statistical Chiefs, policy experts, statisticians, private sector and academics dedicated to sustainable development and tourism united to lay the groundwork for an expanded statistical framework for Measuring Sustainable Tourism (MST) in its economic, social and environmental dimensions.
Global leaders spoke strategically and politically on the need for statistics to credibly substantiate tourism in national and international agendas, and as a lever for improved policies and practices. The Conference discussed the first draft of the Statistical Framework for Measuring Sustainable Tourism, explored emerging issues and showcased pioneering country experiences.
“We are starting something really big. When the Tourism Satellite Account was introduced its impact was tremendous. It became possible to show tourism’s impact on the economy, on jobs” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. “Now we need to move this ahead to measure tourism’s impact on making this world a better place for all. MST can lead tourism into a new era of sustainable and inclusive development”.
The outcome ‘Manila Call for Action on Measuring Sustainable Tourism’ represents a global commitment to sustainable tourism and the need to measure it through a consistent statistical approach recognizing that effective sustainable tourism policies require an integrated, coherent and robust information base.
