Category: Uncategorized

Prachinburi, Thailand, June 13, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Nestled amid the lush forests and rice fields east of Bangkok, this charming resort offers fantastic facilities, including a 1,000-guest Convention Hall. WorldHotels™ has expanded its portfolio in Thailand with the signing of Tawa Ravadee Resort, an exceptional upscale property that showcases the grace and charm of Thai heritage. This enchanting rural retreat has now joined WorldHotels™ Distinctive, a curated collection of individually established hotels that promise unique, welcoming and attainable stays for discerning travelers.

Overlooking a lake and surrounded by lush forests and rice fields in the Prachinburi province, close to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Khao Yai National Park, and approximately 2.5 hours’ drive east of Bangkok, this elegant resort is ideal for leisure breaks, cultural escapes, and out-of-town events.

Guests can stay in contemporary Thai-inspired accommodation, which ranges from the spacious 38-square meter Superior Rooms to the expansive 72-square meter Lakeview Suites. Every room comes fully equipped with modern amenities, including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and a flatscreen TV with international cable channels, plus a marble bathroom and a private balcony or terrace.

The resort’s bright and inviting Thiwaratree Restaurant serves authentic Thai, pan-Asian and Western cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while the Lobby Lounge is a great place to relax with friends and enjoy refreshments. Guests can also cool off in an infinity-edged outdoor pool, work out in the fitness center and tee-off at the golf driving range.
Tawa Ravadee Resort is also an outstanding destination for events, with 10 meeting rooms and a dedicated Convention Hall that can host 1,000 guests. These diverse venues create outstanding options for life’s most memorable moments, including corporate retreats and one-of-a-kind weddings.

To learn more about Tawa Ravadee Resort Prachinburi, a member of WorldHotels Distinctive, please visit https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-prachinburi/tawa-ravadee-resort/propertyCode.99366.html

“We are delighted to welcome Tawa Ravadee Resort to WorldHotels. This is an exceptional property that has gained a strong reputation for its captivating blend of Thai culture, natural scenery and world-class facilities. Easily accessible from Bangkok and the city’s two gateway airports, this scenic resort is perfectly suited to domestic and international guests, including business and leisure travelers seeking a fresh and inspiring setting for their next Thai adventure,” said Olivier Berrivin, Vice President of BWH Hotels – Asia Pacific.

Mr. Jatupon Dumnernchanvanit, The Owner of Tawa Ravadee Resort states: “We’re thrilled to transition Tawa Ravadee Resort to WorldHotels, the brand within BWH Hotels. This exciting rebranding enhances our commitment to delivering top-notch service, blending Thai charm with global standards. We anticipate a bright future for our resort in Prachinburi, welcoming guests to experience our refined hospitality under the prestigious WorldHotels.”

In joining WorldHotels, Tawa Rawadee Resort Prachinburi is now part of the industry-leading loyalty program, WorldHotels Rewards℠. Guests staying at any of WorldHotels’ participating properties can enjoy the benefits of our loyalty program, where members receive exclusive access and privileges at our upscale, independent hotels worldwide. Learn more about WorldHotels Rewards here.

About WorldHotels™
WorldHotels™ is a privately held hotel soft brand within the BWH℠ Hotels global enterprise. Founded by independent hoteliers dedicated to the art of hospitality, WorldHotels offers one of the finest portfolios of independent hotels and resorts around the globe, expertly curated to inspire unique, life enriching experiences that connect people and places. WorldHotels is comprised of four unique collections, each with its own personality and style to appeal to the needs of today’s traveler. The collections include: WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotelsTM Elite, WorldHotelsTM Crafted and WorldHotelsTM Distinctive.

Bintan, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia, May 30, 2023 / Bintan Resorts, along with Spektrum Aviation, have launched a new tourist attraction for visitors to Bintan called Fly Bintan. Three flights of 12, 30 and 60 minute helicopter rides take passengers up on a bird’s eye flight around the Lagoi and other areas for stunning views of the island’s popular sites.

The Crystal Beach Tour is a 12-minute flight that costs IDR 7,600,000 per flight (up to a maximum of four passengers) and will fly over the Lagoi area of Bintan. Passengers will get to enjoy views of Lagoi Bay, Lagoi Lake, Bintan Resorts Reservoir, Ria Bintan Golf Club, Club Med Bintan, Laguna Golf Club, Banyan Tree Bintan, Cassia Bintan, Nirwana Gardens, Kelong Restaurant, Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel, Treasure Bay and Bintan Resorts Long Coastline.

The Bintan Historical Tour lasts for 30 minutes flying over five historical sights and costs IDR 17,500,000 per flight.

The Paradise Island Tour is the longest of the tours lasting 60 minutes costing IDR 35,000,000 and will fly visitors further afield to sights including Fish Head Island, Nikoi Island and Berakit Island, just to name a few.

Passengers have to be six years old and above to go on Fly Bintan, and the tour operates daily from Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5.30pm local time during daylight hours only. Fly Bintan takes off from Lagoi Bravo Helipad located at BBIR township, which is a short 15 to 20 minute drive away from the resorts in Lagoi.

The Robinson 66, a five-seater single engine helicopter by the Robinson Helicopter Company, is popular for commercial, corporate and tourism use. It is powered by a Rolls Royce RR300 turboshaft engine at 300 horsepower, and achieves a maximum speed of 140 knots and range of 300 nautical miles. It can reach a maximum altitude of 14,000 feet and has large windows that provide excellent views for passengers. Its state-of-the-art technology ensures that passengers ride in smooth, comfortable air-conditioned comfort.

This tour will be operated by certified crew and pilot, with Chief Captain Ken M. Harsoyo at the helm. With 37 years and more than 10,000 hours of flying experience under his belt, Captain Harsoyo has mastered 17 types of single and multi-engine helicopters over the years. He is also a senior instructor at STP Curug, one of the longest established aviation schools in Indonesia.

“We are excited to bring this new attraction to the island for the enjoyment and pleasure of our visitors,” said Mr Abdul Wahab, Group General Manager, Bintan Resorts Cakrawala. “Travellers to Bintan have enjoyed all the resorts and attractions on ground and sea, now for the first time they will have a different experience with Fly Bintan, with birds eye views that are truly stunning. Visitors are always looking for something new to see and do, so we are pleased to be able to bring Fly Bintan to them. This new ride will appeal to adventure seekers, the romantics and also families. Customised flight requests can also be arranged if companies so wish to entertain their guests and VIPs.”

For more details, terms and conditions and booking information, please visit: www.bintan-resorts.com

About Bintan Resorts
Bintan Resorts is a multi-award winning, integrated beach resort destination that is
host to 19 independent beach resorts, four designer golf courses, as well as an ever-
expanding range of recreational facilities and attractions. It covers the entire northern
coast of Bintan Island and is located just 60 minutes away via a catamaran ferry ride
from Singapore, easily accessible for those looking for the perfect tropical beach
getaway.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, May 18, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has launched a new report to determine the status of rural tourism in its Member States and identify the main challenges and opportunities of tourism as a driver for rural development from a policy perspective.

“Tourism and Rural Development: A Policy Perspective – Results of the UNWTO Survey on Tourism for Rural Development to Member States” represents the first baseline document of UNWTO on tourism and rural development with the participation of Member States worldwide.

Key Findings: Rural Tourism for Opportunity

• More than half of all Member States (59%) stated that rural tourism is a priority
• Almost all Member States (96%) foresee a better future for rural tourism in the upcoming years
• The creation of new jobs, improvement of livelihoods and fighting depopulation were the most frequently-cited opportunities offered by tourism for rural areas
• Member States also identified the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage and environmental protection as among the biggest potential benefits of rural tourism

Main Challenges in Rural Areas  

The UNWTO research also identified three main challenges associated with realizing the potential of tourism for rural development:

• The “infrastructure gap” in rural areas. Deficiencies in roads, ports, airports and other infrastructure that allow access to rural areas remain a challenge for the surveyed countries.
• Rural depopulation. Seasonality and farming product competitiveness add to this challenge, increasing the instability of rural businesses, which prevents the retention of population and human resources.
• The lack of education and training, as well as skills development, in addition to the capacity to attract and retain workforce talent.

Other challenges include limitations in accessing financial systems, restrictions in the development of innovative tourism products in rural areas, managing the impacts of degradation of natural resources, and limitations in handling data, digitalization, and knowledge management.

UNWTO: Advancing Tourism for the SDGs

In terms of how tourism can help in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNWTO Member States emphasized the potential of rural tourism for advancing SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

The report was launched during the 118th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  It forms part of the work of UNWTO’s Tourism for Rural Development Programme, established to develop initiatives and programmes to grow the sector in size and relevance as well as to monitor it in destinations worldwide.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 17, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the Focus Africa Conference will delve into six priorities under IATA’s Focus Africa initiative to strengthen aviation’s contribution to the continent’s economic and social development and improve connectivity, safety and reliability for passengers and shippers. Focus Africa is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 20-21 June 2023, with Ethiopian Airlines as the host airline.

“Over the next 15 years, Africa’s passenger traffic is expected to double. The continent stands out as the region with the greatest potential and opportunity for aviation. But this potential is limited by infrastructure constraints, high costs, lack of connectivity, regulatory impediments, slow adoption of global standards and skills shortages, among other factors. The Focus Africa Conference will bring together the continent’s key stakeholders to address these challenges,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, will deliver an Opening Keynote Address. “We are delighted to host IATA’s Focus Africa Conference and welcome the aviation industry to our home, Addis Ababa. Advancing the air transport industry is critical for Africa’s economic growth. The conference will allow industry leaders to join forces and drive the Focus Africa initiative,” said Tasew.

Speakers & Sessions

Walsh, Tasew, and Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and Middle East will be speaking at the event along with:

• Yvonne Makolo, CEO RwandAir and Chair of the IATA Board of Governors (2023-2024)
• Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC)
• Abdulrahman Berthe, Secretary General, African Airlines Association (AFRAA)
• Aaron Munetsi, CEO, Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA)
• Rodger Foster, CEO Airlink
• Poppy Khoza, Director General Civil Aviation, South African Civil. Aviation Authority (SACAA)
• Bradley Mims, Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Session tracks will address:

• Safety
• Aeronautical information management
• Intra-African connectivity
• Airport infrastructure
• Biometrics and security
• Modern airline retailing
• Sustainability
• Skilled workforce

View the program and register here.

Istanbul, Turkiye, May 2, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reminded stakeholders of the critical role that aviation plays at times of natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

“When crises strike, aviation is there. Connectivity is essential to get aid and first responders to where they are needed. The response to the recent earthquake in Southern Türkiye and Syria was no exception. Airlines helped save lives in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. And airlines continue to help accelerate the recovery with vital cargo shipments,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, as the airline industry met in Istanbul for the IATA World Cargo Symposium.

While there is no comprehensive tabulation of the support that aviation provided, a limited review of 29 key carriers serving the Türkiye market reveals an impressive relief effort. These airlines:

– Delivered over 3,500 tons of aid from over 90 countries
– Operated over 350 relief and repatriation flights to affected areas
– Provided transport for over 130,000 responders from across the world

Critical supplies delivered included winter jackets, blankets, toilets, hygiene articles, food, fire guards’ equipment, power generators, tents, water distribution ramps, flashlights, sleeping bags, and medical supplies, among other items.

Airlink provides a good example of how the aviation sector responds to crises. It is a non-profit organization that coordinates donated airline resources and NGO needs in times of humanitarian disaster. Working with its NGO and airline partners, Airlink has coordinated the transport of 1,000 tons of aid supplies to the affected area, with an additional pipeline of 300 tons.

Resilience of cities and infrastructure are key components of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SGD 9 and 11 respectively). This is tested in times of crisis when air transport’s role is both as an essential infrastructure component in its own right and a vital lifeline for communities.

“Each and every day airlines make an enormous positive contribution to humanity by connecting people, cultures, businesses and economies. This fosters economic growth and social development. When disaster strikes, these links become even more critical. Everyone in aviation can be proud of the essential supplies, critical talent and hope that planes carry to disaster affected areas. With that in mind, we encourage all our stakeholders to join us in ensuring that aviation can fulfil this role by becoming ever more safe, secure, reliable and sustainable,” said Walsh.

“Airlines have shown exceptional compassion and solidarity, delivering vital supplies and aid to affected communities around the world. During crises, we bring hope, relief, and aid, striving to rebuild lives together. I am proud to be part of an industry that makes such a difference,” said Walsh.

United Nations, New York, United States, April 29, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center have unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the total water usage of the global Travel & Tourism sector.

In one of the largest research projects of its kind, WTTC can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment.

The findings were launched today at the United Nations in New York at the UN 2023 Water Conference.

Direct Water Use

Speaking at the UN Headquarters, Chris Imbsen, Director of Sustainability at WTTC, revealed that Travel & Tourism’s entire water footprint is just 0.6% of the global water use according to the latest figures (2021).

In 2019, when the sector was at its peak, the sector’s total water footprint was only 50% higher, but still less than 1% of the global total at 0.9%.

Travel & Tourism’s direct water use is significantly lower – in 2019 it was 0.2% of the global total and has fallen by half to just 0.1% of the global total.

Much of the sector’s water use is indirect, through its supply chain, with agriculture and food production accounting for two-thirds of Travel & Tourism’s entire water footprint.

Between 2010 and 2019, the Travel & Tourism sector in Europe and Africa reduced direct water use. In Europe, direct water use fell by 8% and in Africa direct water use by the sector fell by 6%.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “This ground-breaking new data reveals our sector’s water consumption for the first time ever, revealing that Travel & Tourism uses less than 1% of the water used around the world, with the overwhelming majority of that usage coming from the sector’s supply chain.

“The data also shows that whilst the sector has grown economically around the world, its direct-use water intensity has decreased.

“The data is the most in depth study of the sector’s water use, and like the world-first cli-mate footprint data we released at our Global Summit in Riyadh last year, we can also re-veal individual countries Travel & Tourism sector’s water footprints. This will enable governments to work with the sector to further reduce water usage.”

Water Intensity

The water intensity of Travel & Tourism per unit of GDP has also fallen since 2010, across both direct and indirect use.

In 2010, the sector used 0.57m³ of water for every $1 USD contributed to the global econo-my.

In 2019 this fell by 19% to reach 0.46m³ of water for every $1 USD contributed to the global economy.

In a world-first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with revised figures. This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186BN USD of in-vestment in the green economy.

Bangkok, Thailand, April 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Global hotel company shows continued growth across chain scale segments and soft brand hotel collections. As one of the world’s leading hotel companies with 19 distinctive brands across every chain scale segment – from luxury to economy – BWH Hotel Group continues to make an impression in select regions across the globe with the addition of several new properties in North America, Europe and Asia. Travelers can look forward to new BWH Hotel Group properties in The United States, India, Denmark, Austria, Thailand, Sweden, The Philippines, Germany, Greece, Spain, Japan and England.

“As the resurgence of travel continues, we are proud to grow our portfolio in key destinations around the globe,” said Larry Cuculic, President and Chief Executive Officer, BWH Hotel Group. “As a global company we are focused on thoughtfully growing and expanding our footprint to ensure we can provide exceptional travel experiences to guests around the world. At BWH Hotel Group there is a brand for every type of traveler – from upscale, luxury and lifestyle hotels to midscale and economy brands.”

Select hotels joining the portfolio include:

• Aiden by Best Western Herning (Herning, Denmark)
• Aiden by Best Western @ Vagator (Mapusa North, India)
• Best Western Hotel Tulln (Tulln, Austria)
• Best Western Chatuchak (Bangkok, Thailand)
• Best Western Ratchada Hotel (Bangkok, Thailand)
• Best Western San Diego Zoo/SeaWorld Inn & Suites (San Diego, California)
• Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin (Hua Hin, Thailand)
• Sure Hotel by Best Western City, Jönköping (Jönköping, Sweden)
• SureStay Studio by Best Western Clarkview (Angeles City, Philippines)

BWH Hotel Group has started the year off with tremendous momentum, onboarding new hotels in North America, Europe and Asia with plans for continued growth throughout the year. With a portfolio of approximately 4,500 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide, BWH Hotel Group intends to build upon its strong property portfolio to provide even more unique offerings and experiences to travelers and developers worldwide.

“We are focused on driving unique hotel offerings that appeal to the next generation of travelers and developers,” said Brad LeBlanc, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, BWH Hotel Group. “Our lifestyle and boutique brands have seen tremendous success with brands like Aiden growing exponentially – that brand has launched in Denmark and India in the first months of 2023 and the portfolio is set to double this year. We’re also experiencing significant traction with our soft brand offerings which provide developers with more flexibility and deliver authentic experiences to travelers.”

BWH Hotel Group has expanded its collection of soft brand hotels and plans to grow by more than 100 soft brand properties in 2023 alone.

“We are thrilled about the continued growth of our global presence and the rapid growth of BWH Hotel Group internationally to include our WorldHotels portfolio,” said Ron Pohl, President, International Operations and WorldHotels. “These properties are all wonderful additions to our portfolio and offer guests an ideal hotel experience in our target markets and countries.”

Recent additions to the soft collections portfolio include hotels in countries such as England, Greece, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and Spain, among others.

Select properties include:

• b’mine Dusseldorf, WH Crafted collection (Dusseldorf, Germany)
• Luxury Suites Amsterdam, WH Elite collection (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
• Makedonia Palace, WH Luxury collection (Thessaloniki, Greece)
• The George, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western (Darlington, England)
• The Liberty Bremerhaven, BW Signature Collection (Bremerhaven, Germany)
• The Sofraga Palacio, WH Crafted collection (Ávila, Spain)
• Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport, WH Elite collection (Tokyo, Japan)

About BWH Hotel Group
BWH Hotel Group is a leading, global hospitality network comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™ Collection, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotel Group®. The global network boasts approximately 4,500 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.

*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Zadar, Croatia, April 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Sports tourism can play an increasingly important role in the economic diversification, growth and sustainable development of destinations worldwide.

The 2nd edition of the World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC), organized by UNWTO, Government of Croatia through its Ministry of Tourism and Sport, and the Affiliate Member Croatian National Tourist Board, brought together experts and leaders from across the sports and tourism sectors, alongside representatives of destinations and businesses. Held under the theme “Tourism and Sports United for Sustainability”, the Congress focused on key issues such as sports tourism’s economic impact and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

• The Congress ‘Tourism & Sports United for Sustainability’ addressed aspects such as
sports tourism’s economic impact, its contribution to the SDGs from the environmental,
social, and economic perspectives.
• The Forum lead the way in promoting collaboration between Governments and the
private sector, with a focus on sports tourism.
• Sports Tourism is complex and cross-cutting and requires public and private actors to work together following a strategic and coordinated approach.
• For tourists, sports tourism offers a chance to combine their love of sports with their
passion for travel and exploration.
• For destinations, sports tourism can bring in significant revenue, boost the local economy,
and generate positive publicity and exposure. It can also help to build new infrastructure, such as stadiums or sports facilities, which can benefit the local community long after the event has ended.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Sports Tourism plays a key role in enhancing economic growth and social development in many destinations. It creates jobs and supports businesses in cities and rural communities alike. In order to maximize its potential, public and private sector actors must collaborate, and that’s where UNWTO steps in”.

Ms. Nikolina Brnjac, Minister of Tourism and Sport of Croatia said: “I am very proud of having hosted this Congress in Croatia. We enjoyed hearing many excellent international and Croatian speakers, as well as presenting the many opportunities of sustainable development of sports tourism in Croatia. Croatian government has secured generous funds for building active tourism infrastructure, in line with our goal of making Croatia a globally competitive sports tourism destination.”

Delivering sports tourism’s benefits

Alongside assessing the impacts of sports tourism, the Congress also explored the potential benefits of the growing sector, including its links to health and wellbeing, and its importance for promoting destinations to bigger and more diverse audiences. In Zadar, leaders from both established and emerging sports tourism destinations shared their insights and best practices to produce recommendations for growing the sector in size and influence.

Tourism Today: Recovering and Transforming

• The year 2022 saw international travel by more than 900 million tourists, 63% of the level in 2019, before the pandemic struck. Global tourism this year should improve considerably to reach approximately 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels,
• In Europe UNWTO data shows global international tourist arrivals returned to approximately 80% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels at the end of 2022. Near-complete recovery (95%) expected by the end of this year.
• The mounting economic, health and geopolitical challenges continue to pose a risk to
recovery, exacerbated by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
• At the same time, strong demand from the United States, backed by a strong US dollar, will continue to benefit destinations in the region and beyond.
• UNWTO was there for the re-opening of China to tourism, “the last piece in the sector’s
recovery”.
• UNWTO is leading the transformation of tourism around greater sustainability, inclusivity and resilience. Priorities include: promoting investment in tourism; jobs, training and education, tourism climate action; tourism governance.

Zadar, Croatia, April 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Sports tourism can play an increasingly important role in the economic diversification, growth and sustainable development of destinations worldwide.

The 2nd edition of the World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC), organized by UNWTO, Government of Croatia through its Ministry of Tourism and Sport, and the Affiliate Member Croatian National Tourist Board, brought together experts and leaders from across the sports and tourism sectors, alongside representatives of destinations and businesses. Held under the theme “Tourism and Sports United for Sustainability”, the Congress focused on key issues such as sports tourism’s economic impact and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

• The Congress ‘Tourism & Sports United for Sustainability’ addressed aspects such as
sports tourism’s economic impact, its contribution to the SDGs from the environmental,
social, and economic perspectives.
• The Forum lead the way in promoting collaboration between Governments and the
private sector, with a focus on sports tourism.
• Sports Tourism is complex and cross-cutting and requires public and private actors to work together following a strategic and coordinated approach.
• For tourists, sports tourism offers a chance to combine their love of sports with their
passion for travel and exploration.
• For destinations, sports tourism can bring in significant revenue, boost the local economy,
and generate positive publicity and exposure. It can also help to build new infrastructure, such as stadiums or sports facilities, which can benefit the local community long after the event has ended.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Sports Tourism plays a key role in enhancing economic growth and social development in many destinations. It creates jobs and supports businesses in cities and rural communities alike. In order to maximize its potential, public and private sector actors must collaborate, and that’s where UNWTO steps in”.

Ms. Nikolina Brnjac, Minister of Tourism and Sport of Croatia said: “I am very proud of having hosted this Congress in Croatia. We enjoyed hearing many excellent international and Croatian speakers, as well as presenting the many opportunities of sustainable development of sports tourism in Croatia. Croatian government has secured generous funds for building active tourism infrastructure, in line with our goal of making Croatia a globally competitive sports tourism destination.”

Delivering sports tourism’s benefits

Alongside assessing the impacts of sports tourism, the Congress also explored the potential benefits of the growing sector, including its links to health and wellbeing, and its importance for promoting destinations to bigger and more diverse audiences. In Zadar, leaders from both established and emerging sports tourism destinations shared their insights and best practices to produce recommendations for growing the sector in size and influence.

Tourism Today: Recovering and Transforming

• The year 2022 saw international travel by more than 900 million tourists, 63% of the level in 2019, before the pandemic struck. Global tourism this year should improve considerably to reach approximately 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels,
• In Europe UNWTO data shows global international tourist arrivals returned to approximately 80% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels at the end of 2022. Near-complete recovery (95%) expected by the end of this year.
• The mounting economic, health and geopolitical challenges continue to pose a risk to
recovery, exacerbated by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
• At the same time, strong demand from the United States, backed by a strong US dollar, will continue to benefit destinations in the region and beyond.
• UNWTO was there for the re-opening of China to tourism, “the last piece in the sector’s
recovery”.
• UNWTO is leading the transformation of tourism around greater sustainability, inclusivity and resilience. Priorities include: promoting investment in tourism; jobs, training and education, tourism climate action; tourism governance.

Zadar, Croatia, April 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Sports tourism can play an increasingly important role in the economic diversification, growth and sustainable development of destinations worldwide.

The 2nd edition of the World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC), organized by UNWTO, Government of Croatia through its Ministry of Tourism and Sport, and the Affiliate Member Croatian National Tourist Board, brought together experts and leaders from across the sports and tourism sectors, alongside representatives of destinations and businesses. Held under the theme “Tourism and Sports United for Sustainability”, the Congress focused on key issues such as sports tourism’s economic impact and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

• The Congress ‘Tourism & Sports United for Sustainability’ addressed aspects such as
sports tourism’s economic impact, its contribution to the SDGs from the environmental,
social, and economic perspectives.
• The Forum lead the way in promoting collaboration between Governments and the
private sector, with a focus on sports tourism.
• Sports Tourism is complex and cross-cutting and requires public and private actors to work together following a strategic and coordinated approach.
• For tourists, sports tourism offers a chance to combine their love of sports with their
passion for travel and exploration.
• For destinations, sports tourism can bring in significant revenue, boost the local economy,
and generate positive publicity and exposure. It can also help to build new infrastructure,
such as stadiums or sports facilities, which can benefit the local community long after the
event has ended.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Sports Tourism plays a key role in enhancing economic growth and social development in many destinations. It creates jobs and supports businesses in cities and rural communities alike. In order to maximize its potential, public and private sector actors must collaborate, and that’s where UNWTO steps in”.

Ms. Nikolina Brnjac, Minister of Tourism and Sport of Croatia said: “I am very proud of having hosted this Congress in Croatia. We enjoyed hearing many excellent international and Croatian speakers, as well as presenting the many opportunities of sustainable development of sports tourism in Croatia. Croatian government has secured generous funds for building active tourism infrastructure, in line with our goal of making Croatia a globally competitive sports tourism destination.”

Delivering sports tourism’s benefits

Alongside assessing the impacts of sports tourism, the Congress also explored the potential benefits of the growing sector, including its links to health and wellbeing, and its importance for promoting destinations to bigger and more diverse audiences. In Zadar, leaders from both established and emerging sports tourism destinations shared their insights and best practices to produce recommendations for growing the sector in size and influence.

Tourism Today: Recovering and Transforming

• The year 2022 saw international travel by more than 900 million tourists, 63% of the level in 2019, before the pandemic struck. Global tourism this year should improve considerably to reach approximately 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels,
• In Europe UNWTO data shows global international tourist arrivals returned to approximately 80% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels at the end of 2022. Near-complete recovery (95%) expected by the end of this year.
• The mounting economic, health and geopolitical challenges continue to pose a risk to
recovery, exacerbated by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
• At the same time, strong demand from the United States, backed by a strong US dollar, will continue to benefit destinations in the region and beyond.
• UNWTO was there for the re-opening of China to tourism, “the last piece in the sector’s
recovery”.
• UNWTO is leading the transformation of tourism around greater sustainability, inclusivity and resilience. Priorities include: promoting investment in tourism; jobs, training and education, tourism climate action; tourism governance.