Tourism summit concludes in Barcelona with call to action

The Future of Tourism World Summit concluded here on Wednesday with the publication of a statement of intent, which seeks to promote a new, more innovative, ethical and sustainable tourism model as the sector looks to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, reported Xinhua.

The "Barcelona Call to Action for the Future of Tourism," issued after the two-day meeting, highlights the need to transform the sector "for people, for planet and for prosperity."

It focuses on the need for policies that are committed to the sustainable use of resources and promote digitization and international cooperation.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) all back the plan, which says that "tourism must lead the way in adapting, becoming more sustainable and transitioning towards net-zero growth."

"Clear leadership is needed to secure the financing necessary to build a more sustainable future ... The Barcelona Call to Action signals our sector's readiness to lead the way, face up to and overcome challenges and build a better tourism for all," said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

The Future of Tourism Summit was attended by 12 ministers of tourism and several secretaries of state, with over 130 speakers dealing with issues such as sustainability, digitalization and financing of a sector that is responsible for around 11 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP).