UN Tourism Welcomed to German Bundestag, Strengthens Bilateral Relations
UN Tourism and the German Federal Government have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation, focusing on gender equality, sustainability, and the protection of tourists.
During an official visit to Berlin, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with Dieter Janecek, the Federal Government Coordinator for Maritime Economy and Tourism, and participated in a session of the German Bundestag's Committee on Tourism.
In their bilateral meeting, they discussed several priority areas:
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Protection of Tourists: They emphasized the importance of robust frameworks to ensure the safety, consumer protection, and well-being of all travelers amidst global challenges.
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Sustainability: Both parties reiterated their commitment to sustainable tourism practices. The Secretary-General invited Germany to share its extensive knowledge and expertise in preserving natural resources and cultural heritage, including a strong focus on climate action, using UN Tourism’s platforms.
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Women Empowerment: They highlighted the success of the Centre Stage initiative, supported by German authorities in collaboration with UN Women. Empowering women across the tourism sector was identified as a common priority for future collaboration as the project expands to other countries.
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Rural Development: They exchanged experiences with initiatives promoting rural destinations as vehicles for sustainable development. The Secretary-General underscored the potential of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism in supporting rural destinations.
After the bilateral meeting, the Secretary-General attended a session of the Committee on Tourism of the German Bundestag, where he reported on the recent achievements of UN Tourism, including:
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Post-Pandemic Recovery: Efforts to support the tourism sector’s recovery from the pandemic through policy guidance, safety protocols, and technical cooperation projects.
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Strengthening Organizational Capacity: Ensuring stable and reliable financial contributions through membership fees, arrears collection, voluntary contributions, and partnerships with the private sector.
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Advancements in Sustainable and Responsible Tourism: Initiatives promoting environmental conservation, such as the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, and inclusion in the tourism sector, highlighted by projects like Centre Stage and the San Marino Action Agenda for Accessible Tourism for All.
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Multilateral Cooperation: Emphasizing Germany’s potential to contribute to the exchange of knowledge and expertise within the organization.
The Secretary-General expressed gratitude for Germany’s active role in promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration to address evolving challenges in the global tourism industry.
