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Deputy Minister of Tourism: "A challenge to build cooperation relations with other countries in the tourism sector"
The 70th Session of the European Commission of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) was attended by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Costas Koumis, who returns to Cyprus today.
The topic, which was the focus of the session, was investment in the tourism sector and the growth that the sector brings to the economies of countries and, by extension, to the European continent.
The Session is a statutory meeting of the Member States of the WTO European Regional Committee and is held annually in the presence of the Secretary General of the Organisation.
The Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, who took the opportunity to present the development of his country over the last three decades, from the time when Albania was a closed agro-pastoral economy until today.
The Prime Minister of Albania also referred to his country's development programme, with emphasis on tourism, the efforts his government is devoting to improving infrastructure, etc.
According to what was presented at the Summit, Europe reached in 2023 94% of pre-pandemic levels, the African continent recovered to 96% and the American continent to 90%.
The economic contribution of tourism was also mentioned, focusing on the fact that the tourism industry is a vital part of the European economy and represents 10% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The conference highlighted the new risks that have emerged, such as the ongoing fight against inflation, the energy crisis, labour shortages, unexpected environmental disasters, which are unfortunately on the increase, and geopolitical tensions, which are preventing or slowing down the full recovery of the sector.
As mentioned, one of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry is addressing labour shortages. For this reason, it was noted that it is important to support training and internship programmes for workers in the tourism industry, as well as various forms of employment, including part-time and temporary work.
The need for cooperation to digitise the tourism industry was also highlighted. Delegates agreed that businesses in the sector on the European continent should have equal rights and equal opportunities to use online information, promotion and management tools.
The escalating threats of climate change and environmental degradation, which are undoubtedly a threat to tourism, were also highlighted at the conference.
The Agency therefore supports the objectives of the European Green Deal, which aim to transform the European Union into a modern and competitive economy, where resources are well managed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
In addition to the above, in his speech the Secretary General of the WTO Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili presented the priorities of the Organization and the corresponding tools that have been created to enable Member States to face the above challenges.
In particular, he referred to the development of thematic forms of tourism, especially rural tourism and the Best Tourism Villages initiative, in which the Deputy Ministry of Tourism is already involved. This is an institution aimed at developing the flow of tourism to the countryside, away from busy tourist destinations.
In the framework of the conference, the Deputy Minister of Tourism had separate meetings with the Secretary General of UNWTO Tourism Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, his Albanian counterpart Ms. Vilma Bello, his Israeli counterpart Mr. Haim Katz, as well as with the Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Mr. Yerkinbayev.
According to Mr. Kumis, through the conference "it became clear that the challenges for the tourism sector are endless and, in the majority of cases, common, as the majority of European countries and, by extension, individual destinations face the same challenges." It is important, he stressed, both during the conference and in his contacts with his counterparts, to find ways of working together to address common challenges.
As he said: "As a country and as a tourist destination with a history and reliable strategic partners, we have a duty to ensure high quality services, which entails repeat visits and multiplier benefits for the economy. The effort we have just started to improve the product and tourist services provided in all parts of our country, with a special programme even in the countryside, will continue unabated, as will our efforts towards cooperation with other European countries facing the same challenges. Building cooperative relations with other European countries is a new challenge for our country's tourism."
(OP/MS)
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