The World Tourism Organization (WTO) Secretary-General, Mr. Francesco Frangialli, addressed the Member States with a questionnaire related to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and its impact on the world tourism industry. Further steps will be taken upon the analysis of the reports.

The SARS epidemic, combined with other factors, is heavily affecting the tourism industry and particularly those destinations which have registered the highest numbers of victims. In cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), WTO has taken measures to inform its Members and the tourism community of the actions which need to be taken to prevent further spread of the infection (http://www.world-tourism.org/quality/sars.html).

However, there is also a need to study the extent and consequences of the current crisis on the tourism industry as well as the ways of its management. A debate on this subject will take place at the Seventieth session of the WTO Executive Council (Madrid, Spain, 2-3 June 2003).

In preparing for this debate, WTO is requesting the cooperation of the Member States and territories in order to complete a brief questionnaire on the SARS epidemic. It would be appreciated if the Member States and territories could return the completed questionnaires by 15 May 2003 to quality@world-tourism.org (Quality in Tourism Development) or by fax at 34-91-567-8218.

Questionnaire (doc.)

Questionnaire (pdf.)