|
|
|
Promotion of ITF-STD outcomes and the future Partnership at CSD-18 side event New York, 12 May 2010 - More than 70 participants attended
the successful side event showcasing tourism's contribution to
the Green Economy co-organized by France, Costa Rica, and UNEP.
The event presented among other outputs the International Task
Force on Sustainable Tourism Development contributions to a Green
Economy, as well as its transformation into the Global Partnership
for Sustainable Tourism. A lively debate followed the presentations
with many questions from the participants on the Partnership and
a Green Tourism Economy. Several countries expressed willingness
to take part in the new Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism.
Introduced by the French General Commissioner for Sustainable Development, Michèle Pappalardo, this event was an important occasion for Christian Brodhag, Chair of the International Taskforce on Sustainable Tourism Development, to present the accomplishments of the Marrakech Taskforce during the last three years. Erika Harms from the United Nations Foundation presented the Tourism Sustainability Council (TSC) project and the Global Criteria for Sustainable Tourism (GSTC). A concrete application of this project was detailed by Sushma Dhulipala Bhatia, from the city of San Francisco and by Gina Ender from the W Hotel chain in San Francisco, who are promoting sustainable tourism in the context of their respective local authority and business. Charles Arden-Clarke, UNEP, presented the Sustainable Investment and Finance in Tourism (SIFT) network as a means to integrate sustainability in investment and finance decisions. Gina Gillen Grillo, Costa Rica, introduced the "Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism". The Partnership aims at identifying and disseminating successful initiatives from all around the world and replicating them. It will support implementation of policy recommendations and lessons learned in integrating sustainability in tourism. It will also develop new tools and projects where necessary. The partnership mission and efforts will be based on the work of the Marrakech Process International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development, many of whose members are founders of this new partnership. Initially, it will be led by the French Government, with an active participation of the Annual General Assembly organizer, Costa Rica, and will be hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Further partners include 36 other countries, intergovernmental organizations, UN programmes and agencies, civil society, and the private sector. The presentations were followed by a debate moderated by Arab Hoballah, UNEP. Gerard Ruiz, the current Chair of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism concluded the side event, emphasizing tourism's impact for sustainable economic development, especially for developing countries, and the benefits for partners of joining the Partnership. Further information:
|
 |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
