Procurement News Notice |
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| PNN | 8882 |
| Work Detail | The tourism industry can and should do much more to aid the economic development of poor destinations, the head of the Misereor charity, told the fvw Kongress. Tourism has the potential to enable “authentic encounters” between holidaymakers and local people, to help develop the local economy, support human rights and challenge corruption in destinations around the world, Pirmin Spiegel declared in an emotional presentation. Tourists could “leave tracks” in a destination through encounters with real people, he said. German tour operators could ensure that more local products are used in hotels, thus supporting the local economy at a destination. “Use local suppliers as much as possible,” he urged. “Using local products can make a real contribution to development.” They should also challenge their local partners with regard to transparency, for example by enquiring about tax payments which enable the state to finance social services, he told the audience of senior executives and decision-makers. Moreover, Spiegel emphasised that the travel industry “has a responsibility for human rights”, by helping to tackle issues such as prostitution and exploitation of workers through low wages. “The industry has great potential for ‘fair travel’, for example with a certification system,” he concluded, noting that 2017 will be the UN’s Year of Sustainable Tourism. In a panel discussion with Spiegel, Thomas Ellerbeck, TUI Group’s Corporate & External Affairs Director, emphasised that Europe’s largest tourism group is a “long-term partner” for destinations. For example, TUI had supported hotel staff in closed hotels in Tunisia by giving them the chance to work in hotels in Germany. |
| Country | Germany , Western Europe |
| Industry | Travel & Tourism |
| Entry Date | 15 Oct 2016 |
| Source | http://www.fvw.com/fvw-kongress-tourism-aids-economic-development/393/162448/11245 |
