Restoring Confidence
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and IATA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding as the two parties work together to restart global tourism.
Highlighting UNWTO’s unique status as a bridge between the UN system and the private sector, the new agreement will focus on enhancing consumer confidence in travel and placing sustainability at the centre of recovery and future growth.
The signing of the MoU comes just ahead of the G20 Summit, with the UNWTO noting that from the start of the current crisis, it has led the way in addressing the key factor needed for the successful restart of tourism.
This agreement with the global trade association for the airline sector builds on this and deepens the existing collaboration between both organizations to keep geared towards restoring the confidence of travellers.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “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.”
The partnership between UNWTO and IATA will see the two organizations working closely together to increase confidence in flying and tourism in general.
It will also focus on building and maintaining confidence in international travel, with UNWTO and IATA also working closely together to foster innovation and promote greater public-private collaboration.
As tourism restarts, the MoU will help ensure recovery is sustainable and inclusive.
IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac said that: “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 World Tourism Organization will help guide aviation’s recovery over the critical months ahead.”
IATA has been an Affiliate Member of UNWTO since 1978, providing a strong voice for the international air transport sector. IATA is also an active member of the Board of the UNWTO’s Affiliate Members and contributed to the UNWTO Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism, released in May to help guide governments and the private sector in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
