UNWTO
Ñåíòÿáðü, 2009
Preliminary UNWTO figures
for the first months of
2009 indicate a continuation
of the negative growth already experienced
in the second half of 2008.
Destinations all around the world have
suffered from a decrease in demand
in major source markets. With the exception
of Africa and both Central and
South America, who all posted positive
results in the range of 3-5%. So far,
Northern, Southern and Mediterranean
Europe, North-East Asia, South Asia and
the Middle East are amongst the most
affected sub-regions.
In this context, UNWTO expects international
tourism to decline between
2% and 3% in 2009.
Many countries are already developing
stimulus measures within their fiscal
and monetary packages to mitigate the
effects of the crisis on tourism, realizing
that the sector can be a key driver of
economic recovery. Some destinations
are reducing taxes and improving travel
facilitation, recognizing that it is now
crucial to remove all obstacles to tourism,
especially taxation and over regulation.
Others have developed financial
systems to support tourism enterprises,
maintain/increase employment in the
sector and develop infrastructure. UN-
WTO encourages others to follow suit.
Secretary-General ad interim Taleb
Rifai stressed that “One of the major challenges
amidst the current crisis is the imperative
of not losing sight of the longerterm
challenges of poverty alleviation,
employment and climate change”.
Historically, tourism has demonstrated
remarkable resilience and has
emerged from past crises stronger and
healthier. The current economic juncture,
however, might be different. This
crisis is truly global and its parameters
are still in many ways unclear.
Against this background, UNWTO
has increased its efforts to provide its
Members with the necessary support
on a consistent basis in order to endure
these challenging times:
Resilience: the Tourism Resilience
Committee (TRC) provides a framework for
better market analysis, collaboration on responses
and medium-term policymaking.
Stimulus: UNWTO urges governments
to put tourism at the core of their
stimulus packages – jobs and trade are
engendered through a strong tourism
sector, as well as business and consumer
confidence in travel which can play a big
part in economic recovery.
Green Economy: tourism must be
placed at the forefront of the transformation
towards the Green Economy; contributing
with carbon-clean operations,
jobs in environmental management and
energy-efficient constructions.
UNWTO’s Roadmap for Recovery will
lead to a unique positioning of the sector
with respect to the economic crisis,
its role in the stimulus programme, in the
recovery, future sustainability and competitiveness
of tourism.
Adding to the consumer and business
uncertainty and the loss of confidence,
the potential Influenza A (H1N1)
pandemic has created an increasing degree
of confusion around the issue of
whether it is safe to travel. UNWTO has
been very active in pressing for a clear
WHO position and is working closely
with the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) to ensure a balanced
decision making process.
Within the UN system, UNWTO has
a direct line to express the interests of
tourism and travel. At this stage, the
extent of the spread, sustainability and
the complete health implications of the
virus remain uncertain. Given the increased
public awareness, engagement
and the resulting elevated concern, calls
UNWTO response
Influenza preparedness
7
for the urgent need for response must
be viewed in context – awareness is
key, not abrupt and uninformed reactions.
Until now, WHO has seen no reason
to close borders or restrict travel. This
stance is supported by similar past experiences,
which provide no evidence that
doing so would stop the spread of the
virus. Furthermore, the economic cost
would be enormous. WHO goes fur-