An Exclusive Interview with the Secretary General of the UNWTO

Summary

In an interview with Mr. Taleb, the Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization, the focus is on the upcoming T20 meeting in Turkey, which will emphasize job creation in tourism. The discussion will involve travel facilitation, including visa regimes, and the potential for 5.1 million new jobs and an additional $210 billion in the G20 economies. Turkey's success in tourism, driven by political will and industry support, is highlighted as an example for other countries. Security concerns, especially in light of the Tunisia attack, are addressed, with a call for resilience and continued travel. The essential message to G20 leaders is to recognize and support tourism's significant role in economies and people's lives.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The T20 (Tourism 20) is a meeting of tourism ministers from G20 countries, initiated five years ago by South Africa. It runs parallel to the G20 meetings but is independent.
• 📅 The T20 meeting in September will focus on jobs and employment in tourism, as chosen by the host country, Turkey.
• 🤝 The UN World Tourism Organization is collaborating with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to produce a report on maximizing employment potential in tourism, especially in G20 countries.
• 📈 A study presented in Los Cabos, Mexico, showed that minor modifications in visa regimes of G20 economies could add 5.1 million new jobs and $210 billion in additional US dollars.
• 🌳 Turkey is highlighted as a modern-day success story in tourism, with a significant increase in international tourists from 10 million in 2000 to 41 million currently.
• 💰 Turkey's tourism industry generates over 30 billion US dollars in income, demonstrating the economic impact of successful tourism strategies.
• 🏖️ Success in tourism is attributed not just to natural beauty but to political will and the industry's importance at the highest levels of government.
• 🔒 Security is a major concern for tourism, with instability and insecurity hindering the industry's growth. The Tunisian example shows the need to address terrorism directed at tourists.
• 🌐 The message from Tunisia and the UN World Tourism Organization is to continue traveling and not let terrorism deter tourism, emphasizing resilience and continued support for affected areas.
• 💡 The essential message to G20 leaders is to recognize the importance of tourism in people's lives and its potential for economic growth, urging them to take the industry seriously.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the T20 meeting?

The T20 meeting is a gathering of tourism ministers from G20 countries, aimed at discussing issues related to tourism and its impact on the global economy, chosen and hosted by the country that has the G20 presidency at that time.

What is the main topic for the T20 meeting in Turkey in 2015?

The main topic for the T20 meeting in Turkey in 2015 is jobs and employment in tourism, emphasizing the potential of the tourism sector to contribute to economic growth and job creation.

How does the T20 relate to the G20?

While the T20 operates independently, it runs parallel to the G20 and tries to associate itself with the broader economic discussions of the G20, focusing specifically on tourism-related issues.

What is the significance of the report being produced with the ILO?

The report, produced in collaboration with the International Labor Organization, aims to explore how to maximize the employment potential of tourism worldwide, particularly in G20 countries.

What is the relationship between visa issuance and employment in tourism as discussed in the script?

The script discusses the concept of 'travel facilitation,' suggesting that minor modifications to visa regimes in G20 economies, such as improving electronic applications and website user-friendliness, could lead to significant job creation and economic growth.

How many new jobs could be added to G20 economies with travel facilitation improvements?

With improvements in travel facilitation, it is estimated that 5.1 million new jobs could be added to G20 economies.

What is an example of a country that has significantly grown its tourism industry?

Turkey is highlighted as a success story, with international tourist arrivals increasing from 10 million in 2000 to 41 million in 2015.

What factors contribute to Turkey's success in tourism according to the script?

Political will and the belief in the industry are cited as key factors contributing to Turkey's success in tourism, rather than natural resources or cultural attractions alone.

How does the script address the issue of security in tourism?

The script acknowledges security as a major concern for tourism and suggests that a united front, as demonstrated in Tunisia after the terrorist attack, is crucial to show resilience and continue supporting the tourism industry.

What is the essential message to leaders at the G20 in Turkey regarding tourism?

The essential message is to recognize the importance of tourism in people's lives and its potential for economic growth, urging leaders to take the sector seriously and support its development.

What is the 'Open Letter to World Leaders' initiative mentioned in the script?

The 'Open Letter to World Leaders' is an initiative by the World Travel and Tourism Council, aiming to raise awareness among leaders about the importance of tourism and to advocate for its support and development.