(TAN): At a closed high-level meeting in Dijon of EU Tourism Ministers, the French Presidency of the European Council, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili warned of the ‘triple threat’ of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the climate emergency and war in Europe.
Pololikashvili stressed that, in the face of such challenges, “tourism has an active role to play in reasserting our shared values and promoting peace”, adding that it is a role the sector is fulfilling. “Just as we did during the pandemic, we are seeing the best of tourism, and this support will grow in size, scope and power over the days ahead,” he added.
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As the Ministers of Tourism of the 27 EU states met in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic, UNWTO also made the case for enhanced cooperation and solidarity.
UNWTO has welcomed the steady lifting and easing of the travel restrictions introduced in response to the pandemic. As of 15 March, seven countries around the world have completely lifted their Covid-19 related restrictions, fully in line with the recommendations of UNWTO and the World Health Organization (WHO), and Ministers of Tourism of the 27 EU member states were urged not lose focus on the challenges still standing in the way of the sector’s recovery.
The UNWTO Secretary-General called on the EU governments to provide tourism with the support it needs to make a difference, while also commending the recovery plans of many EU member states. “Targeted help for tourism will benefit every level of the sector, most notably small and medium-sized businesses and individual workers”, which represent up to 80% of the tourism sector, he said. He also made clear that now is the time for tourism to step up its climate action commitments, with cooperation again cited as the essential foundation for building a more sustainable and resilient sector.
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At the same event, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, praised European ministers for their resolve and solidarity with the people of Ukraine. WTTC was present to highlight the importance of the recovery of tourism for Europe creating employment for 24 million in the EU.
Simpson said: “WTTC and its members stand with the people of Ukraine. First and foremost, this is a humanitarian disaster as well as an economic one. We have all witnessed the shocking scenes on our TV screens and our hearts go out to the innocent victims. After almost two years without international travel, the loss of businesses and millions of jobs, we can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. If restrictions continue to be removed, the sector could employ almost 24 million people across the EU and contribute some EUR 1.3 trillion (USD 1.43 trillion) to the region’s economy this year.”
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Simpson also highlighted the importance of a sustainable recovery and addressed the role EU ministers can play in reducing carbon emissions by 25 million tonnes of carbon a year.
“Aviation is making great strides in sustainability, but it needs urgent support. For 20 years airlines have been promised a Single European Sky allowing planes to fly on the shortest routes. Today planes zig zag across Europe burning extra fuel. The time for talking is over. If the EU is to meet its sustainability targets, it must act,” she added.
