The Diplomat
UN Tourism and the German Federal Government have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, with a focus on gender equality, sustainability and greater safeguarding of tourists.
On an official visit to Berlin, UN Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili met with the Federal Government Coordinator for Maritime Economy and Tourism, Mr. Dieter Janecek, and participated in a session of the Committee on Tourism of the German Bundestag.
- Protection of Tourists: The Secretary General and the Federal Coordinator addressed the importance of safeguarding tourists in the context of global challenges. They emphasized the need for robust frameworks to ensure the safety, consumer protection and well-being of all travellers.
- Sustainability: Both parties underscored their commitment to sustainable tourism practices. The Secretary-General invited Germany to use the organization’s platforms to in the field to share its extensive knowledge and expertise leading the global efforts to preserve natural resources and cultural heritage for future generations, including a strong focus on climate action.
- Women empowerment: The Secretary-General reported on the success of the Centre Stage initiative, which was launched and piloted with the support of German authorities and in collaboration with UN Women. Empowering women across tourism sector and at all levels was identified as a common priority for future collaboration as the project is scaled up and implemented in other countries.
- Rural Development: Both parties exchanged their experiences with the various initiatives that promote rural destinations as the vehicles of sustainable development. The Secretary General highlighted the potential of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism supporting rural destinations.
Sharing UN Tourism achievements
Following the bilateral meeting, the Secretary General attended a session of the Committee on Tourism of the German Bundestag. He provided a comprehensive report on the recent achievements of the organization, which included:
- Post pandemic recovery: Detailing efforts to support the tourism sector’s recovery from the pandemic through the development of policy guidance, safety protocols and technical cooperation projects on the ground.
- Strengthening organizational capacity: Consolidating stable and reliable financial contributions through the collection of membership fees and arrears as well as through voluntary contributions and partnerships with the private sector;
- Advancements in sustainable and responsible tourism: Highlighting initiatives that promote environmental conservation, such as the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, and inclusion in the tourism sector, highlighting the Centre Stage project and the San Marino Action Agenda for Accessible Tourism for All;
- Multilateral cooperation: Strengthening the organization’s role as a platform for exchange of knowledge and expertise, emphasizing Germany’s potential to contribute to the process.
The Secretary-General expressed his gratitude for Germany’s active role in promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism. He highlighted the importance of continued collaboration to address the evolving challenges faced by the global tourism industry.