Governments should not allow immigration issues to influence their travel and tourism policies, WTTC & CEO president David Scowsill has told Travel Daily.
In a wide-ranging interview, which can be read in today’s Face-to-Face section, Scowsill said that issues such as the refugee crisis had already impacted the tourism industry.
“Looking at the overall refugee crisis, it certainly has an impact on travel and tourism – not directly through the current movement of people, but rather because of the restrictions governments are imposing on the freedom to travel for business and leisure purposes,” Scowsill said. “We urge politicians to separate immigration issues for tourism from the refugee crisis concerns.”
He also said that sustainable development would be crucial as destinations – particularly those in Asia – prepare to welcome an influx of Chinese visitors over the coming years.
“Different types of infrastructure are needed in each country. For some countries it is about continuing to invest in new products and attractions to encourage repeat customers. Others need to expand their air connectivity, with investments in airports and terminals. In emerging tourism markets, the focus should be more on other types of infrastructure, such as banking services, mobile phone networks, and health and hygiene services,” Scowsill said.
“The first step is for governments to acknowledge the need for investment and to prioritise the development of the sector in their countries.”
He added however, that tourism growth should always be considered a positive thing, as it generates additional income to destinations and encourages a “greater understanding of cultures and traditions”.
CLICK HERE to read the full interview.
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