UNWTO Partners European Bank of Reconstruction and Development

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed an agreement to work jointly in promoting inclusive and sustainable tourism as a driver of socio-economic growth.

Advancing resource efficiency and promoting youth inclusion are two of the major priorities of the agreement.

The inclusion of youth in the tourism sector through training and employment opportunities, resource and energy efficiency, and capacity building for SMEs are among the key areas covered by the agreement.

UNWTO and the EBRD will also cooperate in identifying best practices and in knowledge sharing.

The EBRD President, Sir Suma Chakrabarti, said, “Tourism is a major contributor to the economies of many EBRD countries of operations. This partnership will enable both organisations to work together, with both the public and private sector, to promote sustainable and inclusive practices in the tourism industry. The EBRD aims in particular to promote youth inclusion in the industry in regions where young people are facing substantial challenges in participating in the economy due to skills mismatches and limited access to training opportunities.”

The agreement was signed in the framework of the EBRD’s commitment for supporting inclusive and sustainable tourism in the countries of operation of the bank, particularly in the southern and eastern Mediterranean region and the western Balkans.

The cooperation will benefit from UNWTO’s experience and expertise in the areas of education and training through the UNWTO.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, said, “The tourism sector is making a fundamental contribution to the current economic recovery and can play a leading role in advancing inclusive development, namely in terms of job creation. By partnering with the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction we will be able to create opportunities to generate more and better employment opportunities while supporting the transition of the sector to a more sustainable path.”

The EBRD, owned by 64 countries and two intergovernmental institutions, is supporting the development of market economies and democracies.