UNWTO,WTO

विश्व पर्यटन संगठन (UNWTO) संयुक्त राष्ट्र का एक विशेष एजेंसी है, जो 1975 में स्थापित हुआ था। इसका उद्देश्य वैश्विक स्तर पर पर्यटन को बढ़ावा देना, सतत विकास को प्रोत्साहित करना और पर्यटन उद्योग में अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सहयोग को बढ़ावा देना है। UNWTO विभिन्न देशों को पर्यटन नीति बनाने, क्षमता निर्माण और अनुसंधान में मदद करता है, साथ ही पर्यटन उद्योग के लिए मानक और दिशानिर्देश भी स्थापित करता है। इसका मुख्यालय स्पेन के मड्रिड में स्थित है और यह वैश्विक पर्यटन गतिविधियों, जैसे विश्व पर्यटन दिवस, के माध्यम से पर्यटन के महत्व को उजागर करता है। UNWTO का लक्ष्य पर्यटन को एक समृद्ध और पर्यावरण-संवेदनशील उद्योग के रूप में विकसित करना है, जिससे आर्थिक विकास और रोजगार सृजन में योगदान मिले।

World Tourism Organization (WTO)

The World Tourism Organization (WTO), now known as the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It plays a crucial role in fostering tourism development, providing guidelines for sustainable tourism, and enhancing global cooperation within the sector.

History and Establishment of UNWTO:

• Founded in 1975: The UNWTO was established as a result of the growing recognition of the importance of tourism on the global stage. Initially, it was formed as the International Union of Official Tourist Propaganda Organizations (IUOT), later becoming the WTO in 1975, before adopting its current name in 2003.
  
  

• Mandate: The UNWTO's primary goal is to promote responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. The organization works towards fostering tourism as an engine for economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability.
  
  

Objectives of UNWTO:

1. Promote Responsible Tourism:
   
   

   • UNWTO encourages tourism that respects both the environment and local cultures.

   • Focuses on promoting tourism that benefits both the economy and the well-being of local communities.

2. Foster International Cooperation:
   
   

   • UNWTO helps develop international guidelines for tourism policies and standards, encouraging cooperation between governments, industry stakeholders, and local communities.

3. Enhance the Contribution of Tourism to Economic Growth:
   
   

   • By supporting tourism as a vital sector, UNWTO aims to boost GDP growth and employment globally.

4. Encourage Sustainable Tourism Development:
   
   

   • Encourages responsible tourism practices that ensure environmental sustainability and preserve cultural heritage.

5. Research and Development:
   
   

   • Collects, analyzes, and disseminates tourism statistics, market trends, and reports, helping countries and organizations make informed decisions on tourism development.

6. Advocate for Policy Development:
   
   

   • UNWTO promotes policies that encourage tourism development while protecting natural resources and supporting local communities.

Key Functions of UNWTO:

1. Tourism Policy and Strategy:
   
   

   • Works with countries to create tourism policies that align with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and international agreements.

   • Assists governments in formulating tourism development strategies, ensuring tourism benefits all stakeholders.

2. Research and Data Collection:
   
   

   • UNWTO conducts global research on tourism trends, statistics, and market demands.

   • Publishes annual reports like the Tourism Barometer, providing in-depth analysis on global and regional tourism trends.

3. Capacity Building:
   
   

   • Organizes training programs, workshops, and conferences to build the capacities of tourism professionals and institutions.

   • Focuses on enhancing the skills of people involved in tourism, from government officials to private sector employees.

4. Promotion of Tourism Products:
   
   

   • Promotes international tourism destinations and products through campaigns and global platforms.

   • Highlights niche tourism sectors such as eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and cultural heritage tourism.

5. Partnership Building:
   
   

   • UNWTO collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, private enterprises, and NGOs, to create synergies and innovative tourism solutions.

   • Supports public-private partnerships to foster investment in tourism infrastructure and services.

6. Standard Setting:
   
   

   • Develops and promotes international standards for sustainable tourism practices, helping countries to align their policies with global norms.

   • Works on setting quality standards for tourism services and facilities.

Structure of UNWTO:

1. General Assembly:
   
   

   • The General Assembly is the main decision-making body of the UNWTO, comprising member states and organizations.

   • It meets every two years to set policies, review activities, and make decisions on the organization's budget and objectives.

2. Executive Council:
   
   

   • The Executive Council oversees the work of the Secretariat and ensures the implementation of the decisions made by the General Assembly.

   • It consists of representatives from selected member countries and meets periodically to guide the organization's direction.

3. Secretariat:
   
   

   • The UNWTO Secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of the organization.

   • It supports the various committees and functions of the UNWTO and is based in Madrid, Spain.

4. Regional Offices:
   
   

   • UNWTO has regional offices that provide support to member countries at the regional level.

   • These offices work closely with local governments and stakeholders to implement UNWTO’s initiatives and support tourism development in specific regions.

Key Achievements of UNWTO:

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
   
   

   • The UNWTO plays an important role in integrating tourism into the SDGs, particularly those related to economic growth, sustainable cities, and environmental conservation.

2. World Tourism Day:
   
   

   • Established in 1980, World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27th every year. It aims to raise awareness of tourism’s impact on the world’s economy, culture, and society.

   • Each year has a theme to promote specific tourism issues. For example, the theme in 2023 was "Rethinking Tourism."

3. International Tourism Campaigns:
   
   

   • UNWTO leads several campaigns to promote global tourism and its positive impact. Notable campaigns include the "Travel. Enjoy. Respect." campaign to encourage responsible tourism.

4. Promotion of Niche Tourism:
   
   

   • The UNWTO has played a major role in promoting niche tourism such as cultural tourism, eco-tourism, and wellness tourism as vital aspects of sustainable development in the tourism industry.

Challenges Faced by UNWTO:

1. Impact of Global Crises:
   
   

   • Natural disasters, pandemics (like COVID-19), and geopolitical tensions significantly affect global tourism.

   • The organization works to recover and rebuild tourism through advocacy, funding, and promoting recovery strategies.

2. Sustainability Issues:
   
   

   • Balancing tourism growth with environmental preservation is a continuous challenge. UNWTO encourages sustainable practices but faces obstacles in implementing these on a global scale.

3. Cultural Sensitivity:
   
   

   • Promoting cultural tourism without exploiting local cultures or harming communities requires careful planning and local involvement.

4. Technological Disruptions:
   
   

   • The rise of online travel platforms and technological changes in the tourism sector requires adaptation from traditional tourism organizations.