SORRENTO - "The Global Youth Tourism Summit that is taking place in Sorrento will be a point of reference not only for UNWTO but also for the entire world of tourism. It is the first time that we have given space to under 18s with such a clear mission. . And then being able to open with the message that Pope Francis sent to our children not only truly honored us but struck us for his generosity. This first edition is truly blessed. "
Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary of UNWTO, the United Nations agency that deals with tourism, does not hold back the enthusiasm and the great desire to make this event unforgettable.
In an interview with ANSA he tries to condense a week full of emotions and hard work that brought over 130 young people between 12 and 18 years old from all over the world to Campania thanks to the synergy between the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations, the ministry of Tourism and Enit.
The target?
Dive into the world of tourism, discussing with specialists in the sector (and also with officials from the United Nations and the Government, with the Ministers of Tourism from Congo, Croatia, Germany, Georgia, Albania, Maldives, Spain and many other countries) and giving their small but heavy contribution also in view of the definition of the 2030 World Tourism Agenda.
Pololikashvili has no doubts about the choice of Sorrento: "It has one of the most beautiful MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Exhibition) structures I have ever seen and honestly its beauty speaks for itself. For us it was important to aim also outside the main cities in line with our tourism strategy for rural development ".
Returning to the young people who come from 60 countries on the planet, he explains: "Russia is not participating since the UNWTO general assembly suspended its membership at the beginning of the year. It is a pity of course for the children, but the political situation general cannot be ignored. The Ukrainian boys are both here and we are very grateful to the Italian government that helped them to reach Sorrento! It is very important for them and for all of us we give a message of peace ".
Among the guests there is also a champion like Didier Drogba: "He is our ambassador for responsible tourism and has a large charitable activity in his country of him, the Ivory Coast, which we are also supporting".
On tourism in general Pololikashvili explains: "
We are seeing a huge movement everywhere.
We really hope that everyone will bear in mind that sustainability is the only way forward.
Furthermore, we need a very coordinated approach to travel measures that will allow us to leave in a more coherent and stable way.
In short, tourism is back! ".
"We cannot talk about youth tourism without letting young people talk. It is time that we stop asking ourselves what young people can do for the future of tourism and start thinking about what tourism can do for young people" says Alessandra Priante , director of Europe of the UNWTO explaining how important it is that Italy "becomes the megaphone for the whole world".
Priante underlines the Government's commitment: "It is the first time that an Italian minister, Massimo Garavaglia, not only actively participates in the actions of the United Nations but above all that he understands the potential of the multilateral also for its national strategy".
"In addition to the world vision, it also has a specific focus on the children of the ASIA Region and on those of ITALY. The results are incredibly encouraging but also dramatic. The pessimistic vision of the future is very profound, especially in the children closest to 18/19 years, but the resilience and above all the positive vision that young people have is equally strong ".
And from Sorrento the party extends to the world and to social networks with the hashtags # Youth4Turism and # GYTS2022.
