UN World Tourism Organisation Joins ENAT as Honorary Member with 'Observer' Status
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Today the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has taken up Honorary Associate Membership of the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) with Observer status in meetings of the association. In a letter to ENAT, Marina Diotallevi, Chief of the 'Cultural, Social and Ethical Aspects of Tourism' Section at UNWTO expressed how she looks forward to the organisations' renewed cooperation for the promotion of accessible tourism for all.
Today the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has taken up Honorary Associate Membership of the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) with Observer status in the meetings of the association.
In a letter to ENAT, Marina Diotallevi, Chief of the 'Cultural, Social and Ethical Aspects of Tourism' Section at UNWTO expressed how she looks forward "...to our organisations' renewed cooperation for the promotion of accessible tourism for all".
The UNWTO's former Chief of 'Market' Section, Mr. Henryk Handszuh (now retired) was instrumental in forging the first links between UNWTO and ENAT, having played an active role in the Inaugural General Meeting of the ENAT project in May 2006 and again as a Session Chairperson at the ENAT International Congress in Spain, November 2007.
The UNWTO's resolution on 'Accessible Tourism for All' (2005) is recognised as a key reference document for guiding the development of the tourism sector along the path of greater accessibility.
Also of importance to work on equal access to tourism is the UNWTO's 'Global Code of Ethics for Tourism' (1999) which sets a frame of reference for the responsible and sustainable development of world tourism.
Commenting on the start of UNWTO's honorary membership, Managing Director of ENAT, Mr. Ivor Ambrose, stated: "We are very pleased to re-kindle our good relations with the UNWTO on the subject of accessible tourism.
"With the recent ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, countries are now committed - under article 30 - to promoting participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport for people with disabilities. This is a truly global concern which must be tackled by raising the quality standards of the tourism industry as a whole.
"We will support implementation of the convention's objectives on tourism and leisure by bringing ENAT members into contact with UN Member States that are looking for guidance, good practice and concrete solutions in the field of accessible tourism".
More information on the UN Convention is available from the ENAT News Page at the following link:
UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities gets 20th ratification.
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Honorary Associate Membership of the ENAT non-profit association is offered to a few organisations and persons of high international reputation in the field of accessible tourism.