The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has called for a balanced and sustainable restoration of tourism, leading a conversation at the ITB Berlin Now on the difficulties that the travel sector is facing and the definition of narratives for tourism, and how to adapt to further barriers.

ITB’s mission is to bring tourism, hospitality, and global travel together, which has around 65,700 users. This year’s event was held online from March 8 to March 12, 2021.

Three virtual events gathered voices all over the sector at the leading trade fair under the ITB Berlin Now, as the United Nations directed the restart of global tourism as a result of the unusual crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The World Tourism Organization revealed in a press release that on the first day of ITB Berlin Now, the organization stressed that sustainability is one of the main points in their schedule, taking a leading role to make sure that the sector is in concordance with the expectations for people and the planet.

Furthermore, at ITB Berlin, UNWTO anticipated the restart of tourism, gathering leading media voices to discuss the necessity of a new narrative and sustainably restart tourism, StudyinPoland.Info reports.

Part of the “Communications for Recovery” were also skilled members from Google Arts & Culture, the BBC, Euronews and Voyages Afrique, and private sector members from Expedia and Stark Communications.

The board determined how the Coronavirus pandemic has affected the way tourism is presented by the media and expressed their belief on how tourism will grow even more, and the stakeholders will take a greater interest in the impact that tourism has on people and the planet.

The “Eliminate. Innovate. Circulate: Strategies from the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative”, co-organized by UNWTO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, highlighted essential ideas for public and private sectors.

The event addressed how tackling plastic waste and pollution in tourism can encourage sustainable recovery in the industry after the COVID-19 situation is overcome.

The core issues discussed by the panel include:

Elimination of unnecessary and problematic plastics:

• It is possible to abolish without jeopardizing the tourists’ experience
• It is important to be aware of the waste when selecting substitutes for plastic products
• It is important to reflect the results of life cycle estimates

The integration of reuse models:

• Reuse models can increase security
• Single-use plastics need to be sanitized
• Working with local supply chains enables the establishment of local jobs

Communicating progress to all stakeholders, including travelers:

• Addressing plastic pollution is crucial for tourism stakeholders to get started
• Consumers are more prone to choose sustainable accommodation since the pandemic has made them aware of the importance of a healthy environment
• The Global Tourism Plastics allows those interested to learn, exchange, and progress
• The impact that tourism has on other sectors should not be undervalued.

Earlier in April 2020, Portugal supported the co-operation between the Member States, the European Commission, and other European Union institutions to find an ambitious, sustainable European recovery plan to recover from the damages caused by the COVID-19.