Asserting tourism’s role in promoting peace and recovery, World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says the “triple threat” of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the climate emergency, and war in Europe has created a “historic challenge” for the world.

Speaking at an informal meeting of EU tourism ministers late last week, the head of the UNWTO noted the strong unity of the sector, stating: “Tourism has an active role to play in reasserting our shared values and promoting peace,” adding that it is a role the sector is fulfilling. “Just as we did during the pandemic, we are seeing the best of tourism, and this support will grow in size, scope and power over the days ahead.”

Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, the UNWTO has strongly condemned the move and again called for co-operation and solidarity between the 27 EU states, whose tourism ministers were meeting in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Pololikashvili further urged delegates at the French conference to recognize the key role that the restart of tourism will play in promoting international solidarity and in providing hope for millions of people in every global region.

Tourism’s restart underway

The UNWTO welcomed the steady lifting and easing of the travel restrictions introduced in response to the pandemic, which, as of March 15, had seen seven countries around the world have completely lifted their COVID-19 related restrictions, fully in line with the recommendations of UNWTO and the World Health Organization (WHO). Ministers of the 27 EU member states were urged not lose focus on the challenges still standing in the way of the sector’s recovery.

The UNWTO Secretary-General called on the EU governments to provide tourism with the support it needs to make a difference, while also commending the recovery plans of many EU member states.

“Targeted help for tourism will benefit every level of the sector, most notably small and medium-sized businesses and individual workers,” which represent up to 80% of the tourism sector, Pololikashvili said. He also stated that now is the time for tourism to step up its climate action commitments, with cooperation again cited as the essential foundation for building a more sustainable and resilient sector.