Agreement with UNWTO to Boost Youth Tourism - Madrid 1st February 07.The Growing Significance of Youth Tourism Was Highlighted in Madrid, with the Signing of an Historic Agreement between The UNWTO UNWTO United Nations World Trade Organization (formerly just World Trade Organization, WTO) And WYSE WYSE Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Travel Confederation A union of states in which each member state retains some independent control over internal and external affairs. Thus, for international purposes, there are separate states, not just one state. , The World's Leading Youth Tourism Organisation AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands -- From February 1st, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the World Youth Student & Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation will work in partnership to promote and develop the multi-billion dollar youth and student travel industry. Youth tourism currently represents the fastest growing sector of the travel industry, accounting for 20% of international arrivals. Compared with average tourists, young travellers stay longer, spend more, and seek out a wider mix of travel and educational experiences. Locally-owned businesses and communities particularly benefit from adventurous young travellers, whose global spend also reduces leakages and stimulates investment. However, relatively few countries are currently engaged in activities to promote youth and student tourism. A WYSE Travel Confederation/UNWTO study showed that only a third of countries have a student or youth tourism policy; less than a third collect statistics on the market; only a quarter have policies for product development; and less than a third have a marketing policy - yet 60% recognise this market as important for the future of their tourism industry. ''Youth tourism contributes to the development of young minds and international tolerance. The UNWTO has recognised the economic importance and social value of youth travel. Young travellers of today set travel trends for the future, travel with a purpose and make a unique contribution to sustainable tourism There are many different definitions of sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism in its purest sense, is an industry which attempts to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income and employment for locals, as well as to promote the practices and poverty alleviation ", says David Jones David Jones is a common name, particularly in Wales, and there have been several well-known individuals with this name. Variations include Dave Jones and Davy Jones. , Director General of WYSE Travel Confederation. "We look forward to a fruitful partnership with UNWTO and to delivering this message to governments and industry worldwide''. Throughout 2007 and beyond, WYSE Travel Confederation and UNWTO will work together to promote youth and student travel by: o Compiling research and publishing a 'Youth Travel Compendium com·pen·di·um n. pl. com·pen·di·ums or com·pen·di·a 1. A short, complete summary; an abstract. 2. A list or collection of various items. of Research' which will be used to encourage governments to actively support and market youth tourism products and services. o Organising global seminars and events for government officials, national tourism authorities, educational specialists and commercial sector leaders o Promoting responsible travel habits and practices, as well as the sustainable development Sustainable development is a socio-ecological process characterized by the fulfilment of human needs while maintaining the quality of the natural environment indefinitely. The linkage between environment and development was globally recognized in 1980, when the International Union of tourism. http://www.wysetc.org/communications.aspx Mr Francesco Frangialli (Secretary General of UNWTO) and David Jones (Director General of WYSE Travel Confederation) signed the Co-operation Agreement in Madrid, Spain on 1st February during the FITUR FITUR Feria Internacional de Turismo (Spanish) FITUR International Tourism Trade Fair FITUR Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia Travel Fair. For more information visit www.wysetc.org |
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