Global travel, tourism leaders set landmark agenda for growth

Launched at the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit in Madrid, “Powering Travel & Tourism into the Next Decade: An Agenda for Growth and Development” is a manifesto setting forth the key areas of action necessary to ensure travel and tourism contributes to global economic recovery, increase resource efficiency and create decent jobs and inclusive economic opportunities.
According to the manifesto, the members of GTAC commit to work with a coordinated approach, with governments and the private sector, to advance travel facilitation, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability and investment in human capital.
The agenda’s objectives will be addressed through continued research-based evidence on the value and impact of travel and tourism and the impact of policy shifts; speaking as one to promote the agenda’s implementation and ensure travel and tourism can be an effective driver of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development; and calling on governments to agree to national tourism policies that bring together all relevant state agencies while creating or strengthening public-private-sector cooperation and coordination of tourism planning and development at all levels.
The agenda defines the following “calls to action” in four key areas.

1. On travel facilitation
lPolicies to facilitate international travel and tourism and thus export growth, which generates economic and social benefits globally.
lThe expansion of transparent visa processes, visa waiver programmes, regional visa agreements and trusted-traveller programmes as well as seamless travel procedures at borders.
lThe use of new technologies to make travel more accessible, convenient, and more efficient while enhancing security.
2. On infrastructure development
lThe advancement of air, rail, sea and road connectivity through properly designed regulatory frameworks including measures enabling market and capital access in the context of tourism, transport and trade.
lGovernment and private-sector cooperation to capitalise on innovative and technological resources for improving and accelerating intermodal and infrastructure development. Setting and strengthening public-private partnerships to assure legislative and funding needs for improvements and expansion of infrastructure.

3. On environmental sustainability
lInteragency coordination in considering and implementing ways to protect the environment while fostering the sector’s growth and its socio-economic benefits for host communities.
lA higher level of accountability through the development of strong public-private partnerships for the measurement of tourism’s environmental impacts, and evidence-based decision-making.
lGreater investment in innovation, adequate legislation and technological solutions that ensure the sustainability of the sector and minimise adverse environmental and social impacts.

4. On Investment in human capital
lGreater coordination among |governments, the industry and the education sector to assess and address the needs for future talent requirements that meet |the forecast global growth of travel and tourism.
lThe positioning of travel and tourism as a viable career option.
lThe sharing of best practices in and development of training programmes for the sector.
The agenda was launched at a press conference in Madrid on behalf of the GTAC by three of the founding members: Tony Tyler, director-general and chief executive of the International Air Transport Association (IATA); Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the World Tourism Organisation of the United Nations (UNWTO); and David Scowsill, president and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).