LONDON, Oct. 2, 2001 -
Leading travel and tourism industry associations from around the world
have collaborated on a joint statement asking governments to work together
in partnership to address concerns facing the global travel and tourism
industry.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United
States, the statement calls for a multi-government partnership to ensure
that measures to strengthen security are effective, harmonised internationally
and applied globally, helping to restore consumer confidence in travel
and tourism. Travel and tourism is one of the world's biggest industries
and a major generator to the world economy.
"No single government or private sector can provide
all the answers," says Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President of the World Travel
& Tourism Council (WTTC) and key signatory to the statement.
"Let us share our experience with others to ensure the whole world benefits
from the enhanced security measures," he says.
The signatories to the statement represent the
major sectors of travel and tourism, one of the world's most diverse industries.
Airlines, hotels, manufacturers, tour operators, convention and visitors
bureaus, travel related services, credit card and rental companies, have
all been affected by decreased demand in the wake of the terrorist attacks
in the United States.
The representatives believe their efforts will
demonstrate unity and leadership to help restore public confidence and
an early return to "business as usual" in the travel and tourism industry.
WTTC figures show the travel and tourism industry
generates US $4,494 billion in economic activity; approximately 11% to
GDP worldwide; and employs 8.2% of total world employment (207 million
jobs worldwide).
The joint statement:
Declaration of Global Travel & Tourism
Associations --
October 2 2001
The unprecedented terrorist attacks in the United
States of America on 11 September 2001 sent waves of the most profound
shock, horror and sadness around the world. The global travel and
tourism industry extends its deepest sympathy to all those whose lives
have been touched, directly or indirectly, by this tragedy.
The confusion and uncertainty that followed continues
to reverberate throughout the economies of the world, impacting every major
industry and in particular, the global travel and tourism industry -- our
customers, employees, entrepreneurs, and the communities of the host destinations.
No single government or private sector can provide
all the answers. Solutions can only be reached through the co-operation
of all parties. Now, more than ever, we need to demonstrate unity
and leadership so as to restore public confidence in our industry and an
early return to "business as usual."
Leading associations from around the world have
come together to form a global coalition for travel and tourism to work
collectively to promote the interests of the global economy, our industry
and the millions of people involved in travel and tourism.
All of us -- airlines, airports, hotels, manufacturers,
tour operators, travel agents, credit card companies, car rental companies,
convention and visitors bureaus and travel related services -- collectively
form one of the largest industries in the world and a major contributor
to the global economy. More than any other, this industry is a catalyst
for economic diversity, creation of employment, entrepreneurial activity
-- and an interchange of cultures and people.
Travel and tourism is responsible for $4,495
billion in global activity. In the United States alone, we generate
12.4 per cent of employment throughout the wider economy (some 17 million
jobs), 11.6 per cent of gross domestic product ($481 billion) and as much
as $1,405 billion in economic activity. Across the globe, a 10 per
cent decrease in the demand for travel and tourism would lead to the loss
of some 8.8 million jobs -- and a 1.7 per cent reduction in global GDP.
We, representatives of this great industry, call
upon governments to work together in partnership to ensure that measures
to strengthen security are effective, harmonised internationally and applied
globally. This will help to restore consumer confidence in travel
and tourism, the economic health of our industry and the livelihood of
all those who work in it.
Coalition Partners:
Airports Council International
American Hotel &
Lodging Association
Association of European
Airlines
Business Enterprises
for Sustainable Travel
The Caribbean Tourism
Organization
European Travel Action
Group
European Tour Operators
Association
International Air Transport
Association
International Association
of Convention and Visitors Bureau
International Federation
of Tour Operators
International Hotel
& Restaurant Association
National Tour Association
Pacific Asia Travel
Association
The Travel Business
Roundtable
United States Tour Operator
Association
Universal Federation
of Travel Agents Association
World Travel & Tourism
Council |
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