The 11th World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism has concluded with a shared commitment to center innovation and promote investment in green infrastructure and low-impact travel experiences.
Held as part of the U.N. Year of Sustainable Mountains, the summit focused on the recovery of tourism and on an approach to the future based on understanding the tourist’s needs while also preserving natural and cultural resources. Ensuring the well-being of mountain communities and addressing issues such as innovation, sustainability and digital transformation was also part of the agenda.
During his official visit to Andorra, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with Andorra’s Prime Minister Xavier Espot Zamora and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Ubach Font, discussing their existing partnership and identifying possibilities for further collaboration in the future.
Over 400 participants from 23 countries gathered in Andorra, which has organized the bi-annual event in partnership with UNWTO since its inception. Among this year’s participants were private and public sector as well as the Ambassadors to Andorra or Spain of Cabo Verde, Bulgaria, France, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Spain and Saudi Arabia, a show of the importance and opportunities for cooperation in this area. Over 200 participants also joined online. Speakers included, among others, Atout France, Andorran Michelin-star chef Jordi Grau, Slow Food Travel, the Basque Culinary Center, the Adventure Travel Trade Association, Huttopia, Intrepid Travel, Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, Cluster Montagne in France and a series of startups.
A high-level panel on policies for mountain tourism consisted of Jordi Torres Falcó, minister of tourism and telecommunications of Andorra; Dauren Abayev, minister of culture and sports of Kazakhstan; Simon Zajc, secretary of state, ministry of economic development and technology of Slovenia; Fernando Valdés, secretary of state for tourism of Spain; Sofia Zacharaki, vice-minister of tourism of Greece; and Massimo Garavaglia, minister of tourism of Italy. The panel stressed the importance of creating adequate governance that convenes different levels of government and the private sector, addressing climate change and investing in infrastructure.
Promotion and growth of gastronomy and wellness emerged as key priorities for the future of mountain tourism. Recommendations from the Congress included the need to monitor tourism in mountains and its impact to better manage resources and waste, respecting destinations’ carrying capacity and empower mountain communities.
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