EUROAL 2016 increased 13.4 % the number of appointed business meetings. International travel is expected to increase around 4-4.5%, indicating 43 million new travelers entering the markets.
The representative of the UNWTO (World Tourism Organisation) called on all countries to strengthen aspects of tourism in their agendas, as a global response to the challenges of modern society, such as job creation, climate changes, peace and understanding among cultures. So stressed the executive head of relations with members of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Carlos Vogeler, in his opening speech at the 11th EUROAL.
He emphasized how tourism places itself in third position for exports of global industries, only after energy and chemical products, with an aproximate turnover of 1.400 billion dollars in 2015. He insisted in the multiplying effect of tourism on other sectors. For each dollar spent in tourism, up to 3.2 dollars reflect in the countries Internal Gross Product. Tourism generates 1 in each 11 jobs in the world. 280 millon direct, indirect or induced jobs, Tourism contributes clearly to reduction of poverty and offers development opportunities to local comunities, unavailable without tourism. In 2015, almost half international tourism arrivals were in emerging or developing countries.
However, Vogeler called for a responsible management of tourism development. We run the risk to adopt dangerous forms, causing damages to our environement, exhausting natural resources, damaging social structures, impacting our peoples most genuine cultural values. Tourists look for authenticity. Competitivity, authenticity, sustainability and ethics form the pillars of WTO recommendations for this industrial sector.
The Mayor of Torremolinos, Jose Ortiz, referred to tourism as a tool towards development, growth and progress. He remarked that Torremolinos continues to be the tourism engine for the Costa del Sol amd Andalusia, with over a million tourists, 4.7 million bed nights and over 25.000 tourism hotel beds. An enormous dimension of what this city offers to the Costa del Sol and Andalusia.
Facing more competitive and demanding markets, the Mayor vouched for the need to maintain from local authorities, an open and global communication with all tourism and social agents. In this context, he mentioned Torremolinos strategic plan, being prepared for the coming 10 years. A plan which will renovate our body and soul. Our body: streets, squares and buildings with historical value, our soul giving to these spaces cultural contents and activities.
In the opening ceremony, EUROAL 2016 received praises not only from the UNWTO for its capacity to reach a specific position among international tourism fairs, but also from the representative of the Tourism Table of the Business Confederation of Andalusia, Elias Bendodo, and the Andalusian Tourism entities and Municipalities of the Costa del Sol, all present during the ceremony.
Over 370 international delegates from 34 countries attended in the Palacio de Congresos de Torremolinos, this important professional meeting, all active in the promotion and marketing of destinations from all the world.
EUROAL 2016 increased 13.4 % the number of appointed business meetings. International travel is expected to increase around 4-4.5%, indicating 43 million new travelers entering the markets.
EUROAL 2016 closed with the best results of its business meetings, The Costa del Sol leadered most requested products by the tour operators, particularly in respect to hotel availability and allotments for 2017.
The Dominican Republic delegation returns home with the award to the Best Stand in EUROAL 2016. Nepal received the "sol de Oro" award to the best Promotion Institutional Video, and the Chek Republic the ‘Sol de Plata’.
EUROAL also received this year awards from leading tourism institutions, such as "Skal Club Internacional". This professional organisation of tourism and travel leaders from all over the world awarded the event the ‘Premio Importante del Turismo’ particularly valuing its capacity to position itself among the most important professional appointments. The President of the Organising Commitee, Luis Callejon, received the award in the name of his team.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
