SMEs matter a lot more to large tourism corporations, governments, and destinations. For peace, human understanding, coordination, and big business = peace through tourism, please read my appeal at the end of this article.
Mariane Oleskiv, head of Ukrainian Tourism in Kyiv, countered: But tourism doesn’t bring peace. It is the opposite- peace brings tourism.
Tourism is about integration and collaboration to build sustainable tourism destinations. Quality tourism is the key concept that tourism practitioners worldwide need to voice out stronger without borders.
I hope more and more creative innovations and solutions will come out where we can work together under the umbrella of the World Tourism Network—maybe most of the time, it’s not only about making money but just doing what’s right. Happy New Year from Mudi Astuti, Chairwoman of World Tourism Network Indonesia
Gail Parsonage, president of the International Institute for Tourism in Australia, said her only suggestion is to ask readers:
“ What is your definition of peace?”
Ask readers if they felt a true connection and a moment of peace with someone—a stranger, a host, a fellow traveler—that they remember as an example of goodwill, tolerance, breaking down of prejudice, overcoming ignorance, and coming together, just for a moment, when there was PEACE “ in action” through the power of travel.
Read all responses below by clicking on the Peace Through Tourism link.
A Word from our publisher, Juergen Steinmetz:
Travel and Tourism must understand the power Small and Medium-Sized Businesses have for the well-being of the global travel and tourism industry and its connection to human interaction and peace.
The World Travel and Tourism Council does not represent SMEs; it supports its high-paying members, the 200 largest companies in the world, which run the private or better corporate sector of our industry.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, recently called UN-Tourism) is supposed to bring governments, specifically tourism ministers, together to work out common policies and facilitate communication. SMEs have a better chance here since most governments want to support smaller companies and the jobs and businesses they generate.
A third organization launched during COVID-19 is the World Tourism Network, which is dedicated to helping the world understand SMEs in tourism matters. Despite the absence of funding and very small or mostly free membership contributions, this small organization has started a conversation that has become more influential and powerful within its network of now 26,000+ members in 133 countries.
As WTN Chairman and co-founder, I will do anything possible to support a new suitable candidate for UN Tourism who can understand and support this sector or the industry and is not in to run UN Tourism for his personal benefit.
eTurboNews can be outspoken. eTN is the oldest, most influential, and most circulated online travel and tourism news publication globally, reaching more than 2 million in 200+ countries and 106 languages daily.
SMEs are the Soul of Tourism
Small business owners are the soul behind the travel and tourism industry. Members of this sector often feed their families with the profit generated, but they need training, resources, and human interaction to further their businesses.
Here is where SMEs become more important than anyone else—direct human interaction means peace and understanding.
With WTN, the goal is for their SME members to talk to their governments and ministers and allow SMEs to have a seat on the big table.
This way, SMEs become big businesses and create a bridge to make tourism human again, making conflicts less likely.
Getting SMEs to work together would convert this group, often seen as outsiders, into the largest and most powerful force in our industry. Of course, this is not the goal of big business.
If SMEs lack money, coordination and outspokenness become difficult. Here is where WTN wants to help.
Organizations such as SKAL started their slogan, “Doing business amongst friends,” and could become important supporters and partners in this exercise.
It’s easy to join the World Tourism Network:
Happy New Year, and I wish all our readers happiness, health, and a lot of money.
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