Ministers’ Summit at WTM Drew Over a Hundred Delegates

The UNWTO Minister’s Summit at World Travel Market attracted more than 100 tourism ministers and senior aides, with a healthy number of representatives from industry bodies and the private sector boosting the numbers.

World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “World Travel Market is delighted that our third Ministers’ Summit has built upon the success of previous year’s events. The partnership between governments and the private sector is critical, and WTM provides a good forum for dialogue and discussion.”

Manny Fontenla-Novoa, chief executive of Thomas Cook, who addressed the summit, said it was an opportunity for the private sector to talk directly to ministers. “It is important that some of the barriers to travel are removed. Ministers must be aware of the short-term issues without losing sight of the long term,” he said.

UNWTO Assistant Secretary General Geoffrey Lipman summarized the major issues which emerged for the day’s discussions, with the UK Government’s hike in Air Passenger Duty identified as the ministers’ major concern. “It is unreasonable and unfair,” he said. “It is not an environmental tax, and it sets a terrible precedent.”

He also said that, in the current climate, tourism’s most obvious benefit is the number of jobs it provides. “Forecasts are saying that unemployment will rise next year even if there is an economic recovery, so we need to ensure that support for tourism continues so jobs are maintained and created,” Lipman added.