October 31, 2005
Tourism: The World's Largest Industry
Tourism is the world's largest industry.
As such, the Rolling Rains Report daily emphasizes its accountability for inclusion of those with mobility limitations, disabilities, or low stamina and advocates for industry adoption of Universal Design. Still too often, especially in developing countries, those who would most benefit from public and private infrastucture incorporating Universal Design are poor or underemployed.
Advocates for sustainable development are allied in this effort, as outlined in the the Rio Declaration: Universal Design for Sustainable and Inclusive Development. Counterpart, a 40 year old development organization exemplifies the multifacted approach that is necessary:
Lelei LeLaulu, president of leading development agency Counterpart International, hailed WTO's proposals to the United Nations summit in New York last week as practical and fundable ways to use sustainable tourism to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He added that the WTO, the most recent addition to the United Nations family of specialized agencies, deserves to be recognized as a major player in the war against poverty "especially as the Declaration on Tourism and the MDGs show precisely how to harness the huge economic power of the world's fastest growing industry."At its 40th anniversary awards benefit in New York last week, Counterpart International presented the "World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development Award" to the Secretary General of Air France, Jacques Pichot, on behalf of the airline's Chairman and CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta for its contribution to sustainable use of the world's biggest industry, tourism.
Source:
http://www.counterpart.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=49&metaid=FB5M3827-6b4
rollingrains.
Posted by rollingrains at October 31, 2005 05:18 PM