At the 54th Meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP), Fiji was successfully elected as the Vice-Chair of the CAP for the period 2021-2023.
The 54th Meeting was held along the margins of the 33rd Joint Meeting of the UNWTO CAP and the Commission for South Asia (CSA).
The Joint Commission Meeting was preceded with communications by the Chair, Malaysia and Co-Chair, Maldives. High-level dignitaries, including the Secretary-General of UNWTO, H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili, and regional Tourism Ministers, were amongst those in attendance.
The Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, during the member state intervention, highlighted that the Asia Pacific region suffered the greatest decline in international arrivals, owing to greater levels of travel restrictions.
While highlighting Fiji’s re-opening plans, Fiji called on the UNWTO to play a greater role as an international organisation with members from across the world.
“There is no denying that the Asia Pacific, particularly the Pacific, have a far greater dependence on tourism and so the socio-economic ramifications are greater too."
“The policy measures of the UNWTO must, therefore, address our unique challenges and provide more tailored support. We, as a joint region, can leverage our collaborative experiences as the foundation on which we create a more sustainable recovery,” said Minister Koya.
In presenting the Report of the Secretary-General, H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted how a partnership is critical in overcoming one of the biggest challenges of our time -- both between Governments and the public and private sectors.
“We have come together once again as our sector suffers the impact of the pandemic. Our shared goal at this critical moment is to work together to face an unprecedented global crisis and restart tourism together."
“During my mandate, I had the pleasure to have unforgettable Commission Meetings. One was in Fiji and I see my dear friend, Minister Koya with us,” said the Secretary-General.
International tourist arrivals plunged by 73 per cent in 2020 over the previous year due to widespread travel restrictions and a massive drop in demand.
According to a July issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, by regions, Asia and the Pacific suffered the largest decline with an 84 per cent drop in international arrivals in 2020. Africa and the Middle East both recorded a 74 per cent decrease in international arrivals, followed by Europe and America (68 per cent each).
The Joint Meeting concluded by nominating the Maldives as the hosts of the 34th CAP-CSA meeting.