President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid has stated that there is no one size fits all for tourism.
He made the statement in a video message played at the opening of the "UNWTO Global Summit on Community-based Tourism," held at Crossroads Maldives Wednesday morning .
In his message, the PGA, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, highlighted that being a Maldivian, he is deeply aware of the importance of tourism, of its contribution to national and local economies, and he touched on the impact of tourism on jobs, livelihoods as well as innovation and growth.
Stating that he is aware of the diversity within the tourism sector, both in terms of its contributions as well as its needs, PGA Shahid noted that what works in one area may not work in another. As such, he stated that what thrives and shines in one community or on one island maybe very different from what works in another.
Stating that there is no one size fits all for tourism, PGA Shahid highlighted that we all have to lean into our individual strengths and tackle our own impediments or challenges. PGA Shahid stated that this is the essence of community based tourism.
Commending the organizers for shining a light on this important, often overlooked issue, PGA Shahid stated that well managed and sustainable tourism has far reaching benefits that contributes to sustainable developments, provides livelihoods and a source of empowerment to local communities including women and youth.
Additionally, PGA Shahid stated that a well managed sustainable tourism, must be community driven. As such, he noted that each year, local communities, enable millions of tourisms to enjoy a diversified and context specific tourism products which includes unique experiences specific to their regions and cultures.
PGA Shahid noted that the contribution of local communities to the success of tourism is evident right here in the Maldives, where the tourism strategy recognizes the intricate link between local communities, the natural environment and economic prosperity. He stated that the country would be wise to empower local communities as we work to build back on a tourism sector following the devastation brought by covid-19 pandemic.
Moreover, PGA in his message also stated that the goal is to advocate for a sustainable, resilient rebound of the tourism sector, that strengthens, rather than erodes the natural environment. He stated that the rebound of the tourism sector is a unique opportunity to maximize tourism's contribution to the realization of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The PGA stated that achieving this however entails enhancing community participation and inclusivity in tourism policy and decision making processes. PGA Shahid stated that tourism must be leveraged for the benefit of the local communities for it to succeed. He noted that local communities must be a part of the design of tourism models and that this must promote growth and sustainability of micro businesses and local creative industries through digitalization and financing.
PGA Shahid noted that today's meeting is an opportunity for all tourism actors to commit, to strengthen community based tourism, for the benefit of local communities and to learn from the experience of others in the region. He stated that we are at a movement where we can pivot a way from dangerous disregard for our planet and lean into greener, bluer, more sustainable practices.
The PGA concluded his message by urging to seize the moment to build tourism based development models that are people centered.
UNWTO Global Summit on Community-based Tourism is jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The summit would feature discussions on the contribution of community-based tourism to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the accompanying challenges and opportunities.
