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WTO

World trade organization

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11 views

WTO

World trade organization

Uploaded by

vishalgurjaryt1
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Unit 4 International Tourism Organizations

WTO- The World Tourism Organization (WTO), an inter-governmental technical

body dealing with all aspects of tourism began its legal existence of January 2, 1975.

It came into existence as a result of the transformation of IUOTO and was called upon

to succeed it. The swift expansion of travel had created the need for a world body able

to deal with tourism problems at the government level, and this led to the

transformation of IUOTO into WTO. The headquarters of the organization were set up

in Madrid (Spain) in January 1976. The activities of the organization cover all sectors

of tourism on a worldwide basis. WTO works in cooperation with all international

organizations, the United Nations in particular, as well as with commercial and non-

commercial bodies involved in tourism. The WTO has a very emphatic technical

character. The WTO was originally conceived as an inter-Governmental organization

in a UN General Assembly resolution on December 6, 1969. This resolution called for

the establishment of WTO to play a “central and decisive role” in the field of tourism

and to maintain effective collaboration with the appropriate organs of the United

Nations and its specialized agencies. At Torremolinos (Spain), in June 1977, the

second General Assembly of WTO approved an Agreement with the United Nations

for Cooperation and Relationship. On December 20, 1977 the 32nd General Assembly

of the UN approved Torremolinos (Spain), Agreement, which is now in force. In

immediate implementation of this Agreement, the UN General Assembly in December

1977 also approved a resolution sponsored by the Philippines with 24 cosponsors,

including India, requesting the WTO “to intensify its efforts to promote tourism,

particularly in the developing countries, through international cooperation and to


report to the General Assembly at its 33rd session on action taken.” The WTO became

an executing agency of the UNDP in May 1976. A few months later, UNDP Resident

Representatives throughout the world became WTO representatives for all matters

concerning technical cooperation in the field of tourism.

Roles/Aims of WTO- The aims of the organization are defined in Article 3 of the

Statute which is divided into the following three sections:

• The fundamental aim of the organization shall be the promotion and development of

tourism with a view to contributing to economic development, international

understanding, peace, prosperity and universal respect for, and observance of human

rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction to race, sex, language or

religion. The organization shall take all appropriate action to attain this objective.

• In pursuing this aim, the organization shall pay particular attention to the interests of

the developing countries in the field of tourism.

• In order to establish its central role in the field of tourism the organization shall

establish and maintain effective collaboration with the appropriate organs of the

United Nations and its specialized agencies.

In the connection the Organization shall seek a cooperative relationship with and

participation in the activities of the United Nations Development Programme as a

participating and executing agency.


Functions of WTO- The major activities of WTO include the following:

• Constant review of tourism trends and developments and exercising vigilance over

changes in world economic and social conditions affecting tourism, market

fluctuations and maintenance of standards within the tourism sector.

• Clearing house for all available information on international and domestic tourism

including statistical data, legislation and regulations, facilities and special events.

• Systematic collection, analysis and dissemination of data on various aspects of

tourism. Collecting legislative texts, regulations and documentation on all aspects of

travel. Conducting research studies covering tourism markets, plant and enterprises,

physical planning and area development, promotion and marketing, economic analysis

and financing techniques etc.

• Regular supply of studies, as well as updated information on trends in the various

fields of tourism to its members.

• Fostering the adoption of measures in cooperation with competent specialized bodies

regarding simplifying frontier formalities and removing barriers to the free movement

of tourists. Organizing and convening international Conferences, seminars,

workshops, round tables and technical meetings on all aspects of tourism. Preparation

of draft international agreements on tourism.

• Examining vocational training programs with a view to contributing to the

establishment of suitable teaching programs tailored to specific needs, especially in

the developing countries.

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