Taleb Rifai UNWTO tourism is not our enemy #MyMadagascar #MahajangaMaVille
Taleb Rifai UNWTO tourism is not our enemy
It's expanding to frame for sustainable growth
By Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
Taleb Rifai OMT tourism is not our enemy by Hotel ★★★ Restaurant gourmand coconut Lodge Majunga.
The last few months, all over the world, Media alert us on what he called the "tourismophobie" and feeding us images of citizens protesting against the "invasion of tourists" and the expulsion of the inhabitants by tourism businesses.
From the economic point of view, travel and tourism is a relatively recent activity. So far, they now play an essential role in our societies and our way of life. Tourism is indeed 10 % of world GDP, a job in ten and 30 % of the trade in services. It occupies a central place in the balance of payments to a large number of countries where it provides a source of income to the population.
Aware that tourism can contribute to solve number problems common to the whole of humanity, the UN has declared 2017 International year of sustainable tourism for development, reminding us that any growth is accompanied by a responsibility necessary.
Sustainable tourism is not just tourism that contributes to the protection of the environment and the preservation of both material that intangible cultural heritage, but especially tourism whereby local populations are associated with, a mindful and respectful of their well-being tourism. Faced with the growing number of national visitors – Let's not forget that in some countries such as the Spain or the France, domestic tourists outnumber foreign tourists – and international flowing in some high places of world tourism, particularly in some cities, It is essential to take measures of supervision in the interest of all, so many tourists that those who welcome them.
BUT, growth is not a scourge, nor is the increase in the number of tourists. From eternity, It is in this way that humanity has developed. The expansion of tourism can and should bring economic prosperity, create jobs and generate the financial resources needed to ensure the protection of the environment and cultural heritage, but also the development of communities and the progress which without it would not be possible. It also contributes, allowing us to meet the other, to expand our horizons, to open the mind and heart, It contributes to our well-being and helps make us better. She draws the outlines of a world better.
However, to make tourism a rewarding experience and for tourists, and their guests, strong and sustainable policies are needed and it is important that all stakeholders, local and national public authorities, private sector companies, local communities and the tourists themselves, should be involved.
The sector needs clear principles and rules, but principles that do not impede its expansion. He needs rules that are part of a sustainable management system, measures conducive to long-term growth :
- Diversification of activities and geographic diversification,
- Systems and policies integrated and efficient management of visitors in tourist places,
- Seasonality reduction policies,
- Incentives to the private sector to invest in new regions and new products,
- Incentives and policies to reduce energy and water consumption and also meet other needs, problems and shortcomings of the local population.
Studies have been conducted on different destinations that strive to remain inclusive and profitable to all face an exponential growth in the tourism. These include the case of Venice and Barcelona. In this regard, remember it is important to consult with local communities and involve them fully in tourism planning, the rejection of tourism manifested lately is due in large part to the inability to manage growth in a sustainable way. The evils of illicit businesses, the degradation of terrestrial and marine ecosystems or the misconduct of a small number of passengers does not mean that the sector suffers from a lack of ethics. It is the framework that failed him.
It is important that companies, public authorities, civil society and travellers who are working around the world to empower tourism for decades have not worked in vain. We can and we must continue to build on this sector and the benefits it contains in terms of ’ jobs, economic development and cultural interaction, and make sure to mitigate as much as possible the adverse.
The rise of activity still has setbacks, but that doesn't justify in no case renounce and deprive themselves of the advantages that flow from. He must rise to the occasion and frame it at best. Here lies the difficulty. More than ever we must demonstrate our will to improve the sector, otherwise it will lose its meaning and its same future will be threatened.
Set, We continue to work toward the establishment of tourism on the durable time, fair and sufficiently framed, a tourism that makes millions of people around the world and that is source of enrichment whenever we cross a border and that we are going to meet another culture.
Let us not forget the campaign slogan of the international year of sustainable tourism for development : ” Travel, appreciate, respect “.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the specialized United Nations agency of tourism. Based in Madrid, It aims to promote responsible tourism, sustainable and accessible to all. The WTO advocates the application of the Global Code of ethics for tourism. Its action is to maximize social and economic benefits of tourism and reduce the potential impact. UNWTO is committed, through tourism, to promote the realization of the objectives of sustainable development (ODD) by participating to poverty reduction and the promotion of sustainable development around the world.
Taleb Rifai UNWTO tourism is not our enemy.
