UNWTO Global Youth Tourism Summit – speech by His Holiness Pope Francis

The Summit in Sorrento, Italy, was addressed by the Pope, who welcomed the commitment of building a better future through tourism, peace and local communities.

UNWTO Global Youth Tourism Summit is an event that focuses on youth education and training, while promoting solidarity and development of local communities, as well as the important role young people are expected to play in the tourism sector of the future.

The event gathered 130 students from 60 countries, 12 to 18 years of age, that will participate in organised workshops and discussions about the future of the industry. The committee also includes a debate team from Ukraine.

The Italian Minister of Tourism, Massimo Garavaglia, declared with the occasion:

“The Italian government is proud to host the first World Youth Tourism Congress in Sorrento. We are confident that ideas and proposals will emerge that can advise governments on how to improve the global tourism offer and make it closer to the needs of new tourists”.

During the Summit, the Pope said:

“The experiences that you will make [in Sorrento] will be enshrined in your memories. This is how you will grow and will be prepared to assume more important roles. I wish that you will be messengers of hope and of rebirth for the future. I send you my blessings and my greetings.”

Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO’s Secretary-General, added:

“The Global Youth Tourism Summit celebrates and promotes the role that young people will play in shaping our sector in the years to come. By giving them the knowledge and the tools they need to lead the sector forwards, participants can act on Pope Francis’s welcome words and become ambassadors of tourism for peace and solidarity.”

UNWTO has a long relationship with the Vatican, with the Holy See being an observer of the Organization starting 1975, as tourism is considered to support peace and significantly fight global poverty.

GYTS will feature six Masterclasses, as well as multiple talks and simulations. The first edition of the Global Youth Tourism Summit will also be supported and attended by UNWTO Ambassadors, regional Ministers and high level officials from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Croatia, Germany, Georgia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Spain, Montenegro, Sao Tome & Principe, Yemen and many more. The event is set to end on the 3rd of July.

 

Source: breakingtravelnews.com, unwto.org