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WTM LONDON 2016 ® UNWTO & WTM MINISTERS’ SUMMIT


Industry leaders have called for global co-operation and collaboration to help destinations affected by terrorism and other crises. One hundred tourism ministers from


across the world took part in the top- level forum at WTM London, along with bosses from leading travel companies and organisations. Dr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organisation, described terrorism as “forces of darkness”.


“This world must become a better place and we must never allow forces of darkness to isolate us,” he said. “We should never submit to the agenda of these people.


“No country is immune or 100%


secure; this is a global challenge.” He said it was important that


care was taken when issuing travel advisories so that destinations affected by a crisis were not further penalised by the effect of the advice. Fritz Joussen, Chief Executive of TUI, said security is a top priority but highlighted how people’s perceptions often compound the problems of terrorism.


He said security is the responsibility of governments but the industry should work in partnership with states “in difficult times and good times”. Destinations often recovered quickly


from crises such as a virus outbreak or natural disaster such as an earthquake, he said, but warned that terrorism is “very different”. “It generates more toxic perceptions, and fear instead of diversity,” he told ministers.


72 WTM Review 2016


Click for Summit | “We need to overcome this, as it is


a root cause for nationalism, building walls and being xenophobic – tourism can be a force for good.” David Scowsill, Chief Executive


and President at the World Travel and Tourism Council, said the industry must reassure consumers when a country has enhanced its security, such as in Egypt.


“I do not understand why the British


government is refusing to let airlines fly back to Sharm el Sheikh,” he commented, adding that the German and Russian governments had given airlines permission to return to the Red Sea resort. Egypt’s tourism minister Mohamed


Yehia Rashed assured delegates that his country has the technology and security measures in place to protect tourists.


He urged standard security measures to be introduced globally to be more effective. “We need to create a sustained tourism environment, which creates jobs,” he said.


Vinod Zutshi, Secretary of Tourism in the government of India, said countries needed to be more responsible when issuing travel advisories as perception of safety in destinations is a key factor. Scowsill said it was vital that political leaders understood the value of tourism in generating jobs and boosting economies.


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