Reducing visa constraints, simplifying entry processes and developing policies that improve connectivity across borders are the topics on the agenda for the world’s Tourism Ministers as they meet at the annual UNWTO & World Travel Market (WTM) Ministers’ Summit next month.
Building
on the historic G20 Leaders’ Declaration, which commits to
work on “travel facilitation initiatives in
support ofjob creation,
quality work, poverty reduction and global growth”, and under the
theme, Open Borders and Open Skies: Breaking Barriers to Travel, the
2012 UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit will seek to shed light on
how countries can work together to ease entry procedures for tourists
as a means to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.
“While
important steps have been taken over the past few years to facilitate
travel, millions of people continue to face unnecessary barriers to
travel such as overly complicated and expensive visa processes,”
said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
“These
obstacles are not just barriers to travel; they are barriers to
economic growth at a time when we need it most. UNWTO and World
Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) research shows that facilitating
visas among the G20 countries would create an additional five million
jobs by 2015, for example. The Ministers’ Summit is our chance to
push ahead with the necessary travel facilitation measures that will
allow tourism to continue generating jobs and prosperity worldwide,”
he added.
Reed
Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona
Jeffery said: “The UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit has played a
central role in the past six years in bringing the private and public
sector together to discuss the key issues facing this global sector.
“This
year will be no different with leaders from both tourism ministries
and industry debating the key issues and plotting a path for
the future.”
Confirmed
panelists comprise the Ministers of Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Indonesia,
Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Private
sector representation includes the President and
CEO of WTTC, the Chairman of theExecutive Board
of TUI Travel, the Vice President of International &
Public Affairs of Etihad, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, the Director
of Government and Industry Affairs of the International
Air Transport Association (IATA) and theSenior
Vice President, Corporate and Government Affairs of
Travelport. Joining them in the debate will be over 70 Tourism
Ministers from around the world.
Charles
Hodson, anchor of CNN's flagship business programme ‘World Business
Today’, will moderate the Summit.
