Tourism crucial in this current economic crisis: UNWTO

Outlining tourism ‘Roadmap for Resilience’ Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary General, opened the 2009 ITB Berlin travel exhibition on Tuesday in front of thousands of representatives from around the world.

ITB Berlin kicked off on its five-day agenda underneath the cloud of gloomy economic data, but Mr Rifai implores the travel community to pull together under a brand new framework of resilience.

“Over the last few decades, our industry has experienced various setbacks, and faced severe natural and man-made crises. Through it all, the industry demonstrated a remarkable resilience and always came out stronger and healthier,” he said in his opening speech.

“Indeed, resilience has become synonymous with our industry. This juncture, however, seems to be different. This crisis is truly global and its parameters are unclear. We need a different mindset.”

Outlining six main points, he highlighted the need for the industry to be realistic with forecasts, take actions to shore up defences, recognise that measures need to be taken immediately, use all available tools including new technologies, take advantage of tried and tested partnerships, and lastly he pledges that the UNWTO will offer all the support that it can.

“History shows that the biggest challenges provide the biggest opportunities,” Mr Rifai adds.

He reiterates, “We know that tourism means trade, jobs, development, cultural sustainability, peace and the fulfilment of human aspirations. If ever there was a time to get this message out loud and clear, it is now.”

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