INTERNATIONAL. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have signed an agreement to work together on the global restart of tourism.
The memorandum of understanding will see the two bodies focus on both enhancing consumer confidence in tourism and placing sustainability at the centre of future growth in travel. It has been signed ahead of next month’s G20 Summit, which will include a dedicated segment on tourism.
IATA has been an affiliate member of the UNWTO since 1978, and the UNWTO said the new agreement deepens the existing relationship between the two organisations.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commented: “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 agreement will also see the two bodies work together to promote greater collaboration between the public and private sector as borders reopen and global tourism recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac added: “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.”
