Tourism, the Key Driver of Shared Growth

Tourism ministers from G20 countries announce the Buyeo Communique to promote the industry

BUYEO, Chungcheongnam-do ― Tourism ministers from G20 countries reaffirmed that tourism can make an important contribution to achieving shared growth beyond crisis, particularly in terms of global job creation and the development agenda.
Tourism ministers from the G20 countries and representatives of global tourism organizations wrapped up the three-day, 2nd T20 Ministers Meeting at the Lotte Resort in the ancient capital city of Baekje and issued the Buyeo Communiqu? calling for four initiatives on Oct. 13.
The communique said, “Tourism can make an important contribution to the initiatives that the G20 is undertaking to achieve shared growth beyond crisis, particularly in terms of global job creation and the development agenda. The tourism sector stands ready to work toward the common objectives of strong, sustainable and balanced growth.”

“In order to harness the full potential of the travel and tourism sector in contributing to sustained and balanced economic growth and development, the ministerial meeting is committed to:
a) Encourage economic prosperity through travel and tourism by facilitating the movement of tourists and addressing restrictive travel barriers as well as promoting investment in tourism and related infrastructure.
b) Boost tourism’s employment contributions by promoting human resources development through training and capacity building as well as encouraging decent work in the travel and tourism sector.
c) Reaffirming tourism’s contribution to the global development agenda by narrowing the development gap and reducing poverty through fair tourism, enhanced financing and technology transfer as well as working for greater inclusion of least developed countries (LDCs) in global travel and tourism.
d) Advance sustainable development by promoting green economy best practices, incentives and building training capacity in the sector as well as supporting integration of travel and tourism within broader green growth strategies for sustainable development and cultural enrichment.”
The statement went on to say, “In advancing its objectives, the T20 will continue to work together to share information and best practices as well as to strengthen the analytical base that underpins the economic and development case for tourism. In doing so, it counts on the full support of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and other international organizations such as the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Trade Center (ITC).”
The statement confirmed that travel and tourism is: an important sector of the global economy, representing an estimated direct contribution of some 5 percent of the world’s global gross domestic product, with a strong multiplier effect in other sectors; a major job creator in all countries of the world, by providing 6 percent to 7 percent of direct jobs worldwide and offering a fast entry into the workforce, particularly for youth and women in urban and rural communities; and a power source of export revenues, contributing 30 percent of the world’s services exports ($1 trillion a year) and 45 percent of the total services exports in developing countries.
UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said, “What started in South Africa (the inaugural meeting in Johannesburg this past February) is now a full-fledged event.”
Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon told a news conference on Oct. 14 that Korea signed an MOU with Ghana to provide support to the African nation’s construction of tourism billboards in 36 locations. “True to the purpose of this ministerial conference, it will be an example of shared growth and creating jobs in the tourism industry,” Minister Yu said.
The ministerial conference agreed to ask its chair, Minister Yu, to transmit the message of the Buyeo Communiqu? to Korean President Lee Myung-bak in his capacity as chair of the upcoming G20 Seoul Summit, to be held on Nov. 11-12. Minister Yu said, “The delivery of the message of the conference will likely enhance awareness among G20 leaders of tourism’s important contribution to the global economy.”
The T20 meeting was established at the 18th UNWTO forum held in Kazakhstan last year. The first T20 Ministers’ Meeting took place in Johannesburg in February and confirmed the significance of tourism in the recovery of the global economy.
The 2nd T20 Ministers Meeting, held under the theme “Tourism, the Key Driver of Shared Growth,” was attended by 20 ministries and representatives from G20 countries and global tourism organizations.
John M. Koldowski, deputy chief executive & head of the Office of Strategy Management at the Pacific Asia Travel Association, said in an interview, “One voice of the ministerial conference is that tourism creates jobs and spurs economic growth.”
He stressed quality tourism, saying he was impressed with his visits to museums full of the cultural heritage of the Baekje Kingdom, an ancient Korean dynasty, and his experiences, including visiting a ginseng factory where he bought a bottle of ginseng wine.
The 2nd Tourism Ministers Meeting also coincided with the International Summit, LogIn Tourism: New Decade, New Tourism, a two-day forum held Oct. 13-14.
Korean Minister Yu said in his opening speech, “The summit will provide an excellent opportunity to explore how to maximize e-tourism for the promotion of sustainable development and green growth. Information can be obtained through e-tourism and travel patterns will be changed.”
Chungcheongnam-do Gov. Ahn Hee-jung said in his address, “The internet has reshaped our life. Global attention is on sustainable economic growth and the gap between developed and developing economies.”
The speakers of the forum’s Keynote Session, moderated by Geoffrey H. Lipman, special advisor to the UNWTO secretary-general, were Ian Yeoman, professor of Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, who spoke on the topic “Toward 2050: A Timeline of Change”; Charm Lee, president of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), who presented “Smart Travel Korea”; and Matthew Miszewski, general manager of worldwide government at Microsoft Corp., who spoke about “Tourism 2.0 with Microsoft.”
The speakers of Day 2, Plenary Session I, moderated by Kim Chulwon, dean of the College of Hotel & Tourism Management at Kyunghee University under the topic “Shaping the E-Tourism Paradigm: Revolution of Technology and Its Impact on Tourism,” were Kim Hyun-young, executive vice president of Daum Communications Corp.; Lee Jang-hyuk, associate professor of Korea University; Jens Thraenhart, global tourism and hospitality strategist of Chameleon Strategies; and Kim Jo-young, executive director of the Korea Tourism Organization.
The speakers of the Plenary Session, moderated by Dr. Walailak Noypayak, director of the Seoul Office at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, under the topic “E-Tourism: Contributing to Sustainable and Responsible Growth,” were Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis of Bournemouth University of the United Kingdom; Prof. Kim Si-joong of Woosong University; Liz Ward, CEO of the Australian Tourism Date Warehouse; and Javier Gonzalez-Soria, managing director of Google Travel Spain.
In his presentation at the keynote session, KTO President Lee noted that what will attract tourists to Korea will be inspiration & energy, as shown by such things as Koreans’ pouring onto the streets to support the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Seoul, and Nanta, Korea’s nonverbal performance.
He introduced a 30-minute interactive drama production featuring renowned Korean stars in which individuals can make their own dramas touring Korea and send them to their friends. The program has made a strong showing by contributing to a 45 percent surge in attracting Chinese tourists, Lee said.
Lee noted that Seoul aims at attracting 10 million foreign visitors in 2012 and 12 million inbound tourists in 2014. nw

(right) Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon speaks at the podium during the 2nd T.20 Ministerial Meeting. (left) UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai

A plenary session of the 2nd T.20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do. The participating delegates of the 2nd T.20 ministerial meeting pose for a group photo following their talks.