- G20 Tourism ministers commit to making efforts to centre sustainability and inclusion at the heart of tourism recovery
- The framework lists particular recommendations and tools to support key stakeholders
THD NewsDesk, Saudi Arabia: The enforcement of the World Tourism Organization AlUla Framework for Inclusive Community Development Through Tourism was introduced at the ministerial meeting and welcomed by the G20 Tourism Ministers. This initiative is being perceived as an effective tool for achieving a fairer and more inclusive sector.
Captained by the 2020 G20 Riyadh Summit, UNWTO and the G20 Tourism Working Group forged the AlUla Framework. This is being carried out to further advance the benefaction of the sector as an effective pathway towards advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili was quoted saying, “As we join forces to restart tourism, we must live up to our responsibility to ensure that tourism’s benefits are shared by all. I congratulate the Saudi Presidency for placing inclusive community development through tourism at the heart of the G20 Agenda and I invite G20 countries to follow this vision and embrace tourism as an effective means for inclusion and sustainability.”
This detailed framework furnishes definite recommendations and tools, which underpins both governments as well as all other key stakeholders in the tourism sector. It is also inclusive of regional and local governments, the private sector, industry associations, civil society, communities and tourists. Moreover, the framework aspires to promote a holistic and integrated approach towards an inclusive community development by means of tourism.
Ahmed bin Aqeel al-Khatib, Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Tourism and Chair of the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, also commented, “On behalf of the G20 Tourism Ministers, I commend the Tourism Working Group and the UNWTO for this initiative. The AlUla Framework – named after Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO world heritage site – demonstrates how the tourism sector can promote inclusive community development by highlighting practical examples and case studies that governments can emulate to protect local culture and the environment while empowering local communities, especially women and young people. The Framework is a vital tool to be used as we work together to rebuild the tourism sector to be more sustainable, resilient and inclusive.”
The AlUla Framework addresses the need for a model of tourism development based on Public-Private-Community (PPC) partnerships. It also lists a set of programmes and initiatives which are based on the four pillars of action- empowerment, safeguarding, prosperity and collaboration. The structure also chronicles the prime areas of measurement, which would document the impact of tourism in the communities, at par with the Measuring Sustainable Tourism Initiative, headed by UNWTO.
The G20 guidelines for Inclusive Community Development through Tourism state the significance of upholding tourism at the heart of development policies at the international, national and local levels. The instructions also stress on the importance of human capital development, involving labour markets, adequate social protection and innovation and entrepreneurship as key contributors to travel and tourism. This is overall regarded as a ‘human-centred sector’. It also talks about promulgating women’s empowerment and creating employment opportunities for all those who are seeking for one.
