What Is the Advocacy of World Travel and Tourism Council?

By Robert Palmer

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is a global organization that advocates for the travel and tourism industry. It was established in 1990 and represents the private sector of travel and tourism businesses.

What is Advocacy?
Advocacy refers to promoting or supporting a particular cause or issue. In this case, the WTTC advocates for the travel and tourism industry by raising awareness about its importance, highlighting its economic impact, and addressing issues that affect it.

Why is the Advocacy of WTTC Important?
The travel and tourism industry is a significant contributor to the global economy, generating jobs, income, and investment. According to WTTC’s research, the industry accounts for 10.4% of global GDP and supports over 330 million jobs worldwide.

However, despite its importance, the travel and tourism industry faces various challenges such as visa barriers, taxation issues, safety concerns, environmental impacts, among others. The advocacy efforts of WTTC aim to address these challenges by working with governments, businesses, and other stakeholders to create policies that support sustainable growth in the industry.

WTTC’s Advocacy Efforts
WTTC’s advocacy efforts involve various initiatives such as research reports, policy recommendations, events, partnerships with other organizations and governments.

Some of their recent advocacy initiatives include:

1. Safe & Seamless Traveler Journey Initiative

This initiative aims to enhance traveler safety while also improving their experience by providing a seamless journey from start to finish. The initiative includes measures such as biometric technology for faster border control processes and health screenings.

2. COVID-19 Response

During the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in 2020-2021, WTTC launched several initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of the pandemic on the travel and tourism industry. These initiatives include Safe Travels protocols that provide guidelines for travel businesses to operate safely during the pandemic.

3. Climate & Environment

WTTC recognizes that the travel and tourism industry has an impact on the environment and climate change. As part of their advocacy efforts, they support sustainability initiatives such as reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and reducing plastic waste.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the advocacy of WTTC is essential in promoting sustainable growth in the travel and tourism industry. By advocating for policies that support a safe and seamless traveler journey, addressing environmental impacts, and responding to crises such as COVID-19 pandemic, WTTC is playing a crucial role in ensuring the long-term success of this vital industry.