Tourism Ministers focus on development, innovation
Innovation, partnerships and managing rising tourist numbers were top of the agenda at the 64th Meeting of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Commission for Europe, held in Zagreb last month.
Croatia was unanimously chosen to host the annual meeting of the tourism ministers of UNWTO Member States in Europe. The country is one of the region’s top performing tourism destinations, welcoming 20 million international arrivals in 2018, a 6.7 per cent increase on the previous year.
A strong partner of UNWTO, the country is home to the Zagreb Sustainable Tourism Observatory, part of the global UNWTO Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories.
The meeting was attended by representatives of more than 40 Member States, a record level of high-level participation for the Regional Commission for Europe.
UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili met with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković to thank him for Croatia’s commitment to sustainable tourism. He also met with Marija Pejcinovic Buric, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and with Croatia’s Minister of Tourism, Gari Capelli, for high-level discussions on destination management and sustainability.
This year’s UNWTO Regional Commission for Europe meeting was attended by a record number of delegates
“It is so encouraging to see not just so many ministers joining us here in Zagreb, but to also witness the genuine enthusiasm our European Member States have for managing tourism and harnessing it as a driver of sustainable development,” said Pololikashvili.
“Regional and international cooperation are vital to face up to the challenges linked to tourist numbers, especially in urban areas. This week’s meeting in Zagreb proves the desire to make tourism a force for good.”
Capelli added: “Tourism is an engine for many innovative and developmental processes, a creative force for new jobs and a tool for the protection of natural and cultural heritage.
“This is a great opportunity to jointly guide trends and policies in the right direction. I am confident that together we will continue finding the right answers to all open questions and consolidate the path of responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism.”
In the context of the ministerial meeting, public and private sectors gathered for a special workshop on Growth, Innovation and Partnerships. UNWTO Affiliate Members including Amadeus, ICCA, Niantic and Google presented products aimed at improving tourism management and sustainability.
In addition, Pololikashvili met with former football star Davor Suker, president of the Croatian Football Federation, to discuss the opportunities presented by the growing market for sports tourism.
Davor Suker (centre) presents a signed shirt to Zurab Pololikashvili (right), watched by Croatia’s Minister of Tourism, Gari Capelli
