WTTC Launches Research On Key Policy Areas Affecting Tourism Growth

"Travel and Tourism is a complex industry operating across a spectrum of activity," says WTTC President, Jean-Claude Baumgarten. "We hope that by addressing the needs of the industry in these core areas, it will highlight the need for further collaboration between government and private sectors to find real solutions for its continued growth," says Baumgarten.

With human resources a key area for such a labour-intensive and high employment industry - the HR Task Force concentrated efforts on six priority issues:

• Attraction and retention of staff;
• Racial and gender prejudice;
• Training and education;
• Leadership and management development;
• Raising the awareness of governments;
• The future role of HR and the impact of e-HR.

Research on these priority areas was carried out by the task force members and is published in the report with recommendations and examples of best practice in human resource management.

The Council established an Infrastructure Task Force to identify the need to heighten awareness of deepening infrastructure challenges which continue to act as a major barrier to the sustainable growth of Travel & Tourism in both developed and emerging economies. WTTC believes adequate infrastructure development and access to markets are two of the most important prerequisites for the sustainable developent of travel and tourism and for the socio-economic prosperity of any country.

The vision of the IT/E-Commerce Task Force is that travel distribution must evolve from efficiently processing transactions to engaging in meaningful conversations with customers that produce profitable bookings. The report outlines several outcomes to provide a route toward that vision.

Taxation continues to be a significant policy area inhibiting the growth of the travel and tourism industry in some regions and countries - with regressive systems imposing high levies on outside visitors. Using the Council's Principles of Intelligent Taxation framework - on equity, efficiency, simplicity, fairness, and stimulus to growth - the Taxation Task Force regularly reviews select government tax proposals affecting the Travel & Tourism industry.

The reports, which provide thorough analysis on each of the topics as well as recommendations for industry and governments, are available free from WTTC as part of the Council's continued drive to further the pursuit of industry excellence for all players working in Travel & Tourism. The report can be downloaded in entirety from the WTTC website (www.wttc.org).

The World Travel & Tourism Council is the forum for global business leaders in Travel & Tourism comprising the presidents, chairs and CEOs of 100 of the world's foremost companies. It is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide.