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Contribution to the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (WSSD)
Industry as a Partner for Sustainable Development:
Tourism Report
UNEP, in partnership with various industry organisations, has
launched a reporting initiative to gauge progress by the private
sector towards sustainable development. This effort will contribute
to the wider review of progress with the implementation of Agenda
21, under the framework of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
Specifically, UNEP DTIE has facilitated the production of 22
sectoral reports, each addressing the following issues:
- Economic, environmental and social profile;
- Strategies, approaches and measures
for progress;
- Future challenges and targets.
In February 2001 key industry stakeholders met in Paris for an
UNEP DTIE-organised workshop to draw up guidelines for the production
of the above reports. Workshop attendants felt that reliance on
a common framework across industry sectors would increase the
added value of such a reporting initiative.
By engaging in this process, industry associations committed
themselves to producing an honest account of their industry's
performance against sustainability goals. Such an undertaking
is global in scope and has undergone the scrutiny of all relevant
stakeholders (academia, civil society, government and labour).
In turn, UNEP DTIE has co-ordinated the overall process, facilitating
dialogue with stakeholders and assisting industry associations
at critical junctures.
Tourism among other industry sectors was chosen to report on
its progress towards sustainability. The tourism report has been
authored and supported by the following industry associations
and organizations:
- World Travel
and Tourism Council (WTTC). The World Travel & Tourism
Council (WTTC) is the Global Business Leaders' Forum for Travel
and Tourism.
- International
Federation of Tour Operators (IFTO). Tour operator associations
from 17 countries, representing the interests of over 50 million
inclusive tour holidaymakers per year, now make up the IFTO
membership.
- International
Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH&RA). The IH&RA
is a global network of independent and chain operators, national
associations, hospitality suppliers and educational centers
in the hotel and restaurant industry.
- International
Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL). ICCL participates in the
regulatory and policy development process and promote all measures
that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment.
- Business
Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST). BEST serves as
a leading source of knowledge on innovative travel industry
practices that advance the interests of communities, businesses,
and travelers.
- Tour Operators Initiative
for Sustainable Tourism (TOI). The Initiative provides a
platform for developing ideas and projects to address the environmental,
social, economic and cultural aspects of sustainable development
within the tourism sector.
- World Tourism
Organization (WTO/OMT). The World Tourism Organization is
the leading international organization in the field of travel
and tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy
issues and a practical source of tourism know-how.
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