UNWTO to push tourism recovery at ITB

Tourism recovery, Global report on women in tourism, protection of children, and Silk Road facilitation all part of big UNWTO presence at ITB

International tourism recovery is underway across the world. Sustaining this growth through innovation, while advancing social responsibility in the sector, is the objective at the heart of the activities and events organized by UNWTO at this year’s Travel Trade Show, ITB Berlin (Berlin, Germany, 9-13 March 2011).

The UNWTO Secretary-General will deliver the keynote address at the official opening of ITB (8 March, 18.00, ICC, Hall 1) reflecting on tourism’s role in the past decade, looking ahead to the next, and setting the tone for UNWTO activities at ITB 2011:

Silk Road Ministers’ Summit (9 March, 11.00 – 13.00, Room Istanbul between Halls 10 and 11)
Leaders of the Silk Road destinations will meet to discuss how they can work together to maximize tourism development through the revival of the Silk Road brand. Organized by UNWTO and supported by ITB Berlin, the Summit will debate development and investment opportunities while tackling some of the regions’ most critical issues and challenges such as travel facilitation.

The Ministers’ Summit will be followed by the Silk Road B2B Tour Operators Networking Event (10 March, 10.00 – 11.30, Room Istanbul between Halls 10-11), an opportunity for outbound and incoming tour operators to explore new business opportunities and exchange tips on selling the Silk Road.

For more information, please visit www.UNWTO.org/silkroad

Workshop on the Protection of Tourists/Consumers and Travel Organizers (9 March, 17.00 – 19.00, Palais West, North Entrance through Hall 19)

The rapid growth in international tourism, coupled with the rise of crises situations, man-made or natural, calls for global binding rules governing the rights and responsibilities of tourists and tour operators. This first UNWTO Workshop is intended to trigger debate on a future legal instrument that will ensure the protection of both tourists and professionals in times of crises.

For more information, please visit www2.UNWTO.org/en/event/unwto-workshop-touristsconsumers

Launch of the UNWTO/UN Women Global Report on Women in Tourism 2010 (11 March, 10.30 – 12.30, ICC, Hall 7)

Since 2008, UNWTO and UN Women (formerly UNIFEM) have been working together to bring gender issues to the forefront of tourism, promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and the mainstreaming of gender issues in national tourism policies and corporate decisions. The result of this close collaboration, the ‘Global Report on Women in Tourism 2010’, is a landmark study and the first to map women’s active participation in the tourism sector worldwide.

The report will be officially launched at ITB by the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, and the UN Women Deputy Director, Joanne Sandler.

26th Meeting of the Task Force for the Protection of Children in Tourism (11 March, 14.30 – 17.30, ICC, Hall 7)

The annual meeting of the International Task Force for the Protection of Children in Tourism will this year focus on child protection in tourism planning and development.
For more information, please visit www.UNWTO.org/protect_children

Full programme of UNWTO activities at ITB: www2.UNWTO.org/en/event/unwto-activities-itb-2011

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 latest special offer at www.travelmole.com/stories/1146423.php