Published on : Thursday, October 8, 2020
IATA and UNWTO have recently signed a joint work agreement on the restart of world tourism.
This agreement will see the two bodies aiming on providing improved consumer confidence in tourism and giving sustainability a central focus of future growth in travel sector. It has been signed prior to the G20 Summit that will take place in November which will have a dedicated segment on tourism.
Since 1978, IATA has been an affiliate member of the UNWTO, and the UNWTO stated that the new agreement intensifies the existing relationship between the two organizations.
To quote UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, “Air travel is an essential component of global tourism. This partnership between UNWTO and IATA will see us work closely together to increase confidence in flying and tourism in general. UNWTO will use our expertise in innovation and our status as a connector of public and private sector leaders to help get aviation moving again.”
Also, the agreement will witness the two governing bodies working in tandem to endorse greater partnership between the public and private sector as the international frontiers reopen and global tourism recovers from the ill effects of the pandemic.
To quote IATA Director General, Alexandre de Juniac, “The safe opening of international borders to tourism is essential. Tourists want to feel safe, and they want to be confident that their travel plans won’t be affected by last-minute changes to rules and regulations. For this to happen, even greater collaboration between the public and private sectors is needed. This enhanced partnership with the UNWTO will help guide aviation’s recovery over the critical months ahead.”