India blocks UNWTO evaluation bid
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A scheme by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to evaluate destinations, have been blocked by India, which accuses it of being a “beauty contest”, the Bangkok Post has reported. The UNWTO-backed World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED) is an effort to standardise practises among tourism destinations, and deliver best practices for the industry.
India’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambika Soni, however, has reportedly raised concerns about CED’s role to the UNWTO Executive Council.
“India expressed its concerns about CED assuming the role of a certification agency that would lead to standardising of cultures, heritage and biodiversity of nations and could seriously undermine the concept of diversity that drives tourism across the world,” the Indian Tourism Ministry said.
According to the Tourism Ministry, the UNWTO “agreed to India’s proposal of not allowing certification, grading or ranking of tourist destinations by CED”. Other UNWTO members including Costa Rica, Brazil, France, and Spain are thought to have backed India’s stance.
India’s move appears to be a reflection of growing concerns among developing countries that they are becoming subjected to the same tourism standards, laws, regulations and procedures of developed countries. UNWTO Secretary-General, Francesco Frangialli, said the CED was part of “the mission of the UNWTO to both promote the good governance of destinations, and also, through the latter, foster higher quality in the products they offer”.
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