Contents
Overview
The Global Tourism and Health Programme was launched in 2019 by the WHO, in collaboration with the UNWTO, to address the growing concern of health risks associated with tourism. The program is supported by major tourism companies like Expedia, Booking.com, and Airbnb, as well as health organizations like the CDC and ECDC. According to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, the program aims to provide guidance and support to the tourism industry on how to prevent and respond to health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a significant impact on the tourism industry, with companies like TripAdvisor and Google experiencing significant declines in bookings and revenue.
🏥 How It Works
The program works by providing guidance and support to the tourism industry on how to prevent and respond to health crises. This includes providing training and resources to tourism workers, such as hotel staff and tour operators, on how to identify and respond to health risks, as well as promoting healthy behaviors among tourists, such as practicing good hygiene and getting vaccinated before traveling. The program also works with health organizations like the CDC and ECDC to provide up-to-date information on health risks and outbreaks, and to develop strategies for mitigating the spread of diseases. For example, the program has partnered with the CDC to develop guidelines for the tourism industry on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and has worked with the ECDC to develop a toolkit for tourism workers on how to identify and respond to health risks.
🌍 Cultural Impact
The Global Tourism and Health Programme has had a significant cultural impact, with many tourism companies and organizations adopting healthy tourism practices and promoting health and wellness to their customers. For example, companies like Hilton and Marriott have implemented healthy tourism practices, such as providing hand sanitizer and masks to guests, and promoting healthy behaviors, such as exercise and healthy eating. The program has also worked with tourism boards and governments to develop healthy tourism policies and guidelines, such as the Thai government's 'Amazing Thailand' campaign, which promotes healthy tourism practices and provides guidance on how to stay healthy while traveling in Thailand. According to a study by the World Bank, the program has also had a positive impact on local communities, with many tourism destinations experiencing improved health outcomes and increased economic benefits from tourism.
🔮 Legacy & Future
The future of the Global Tourism and Health Programme looks promising, with the WHO and its partners continuing to work together to promote healthy tourism practices and mitigate the spread of diseases. The program has plans to expand its reach and impact, with a focus on supporting small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, and promoting healthy tourism practices in emerging tourism destinations. According to the UNWTO, the program has the potential to make a significant contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which focuses on good health and well-being. The program has also been recognized by major tourism companies, such as Expedia and Booking.com, as an important initiative for promoting healthy tourism practices and supporting the tourism industry.
Key Facts
- Year
- 2019
- Origin
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Category
- health
- Type
- program
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global Tourism and Health Programme?
The Global Tourism and Health Programme is a collaborative initiative between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the tourism industry to promote healthy tourism practices and mitigate the spread of diseases. The program was launched in 2019 and is supported by major tourism companies like Expedia, Booking.com, and Airbnb, as well as health organizations like the CDC and ECDC. According to the WHO, the program aims to provide guidance and support to the tourism industry on how to prevent and respond to health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
How does the program work?
The program works by providing guidance and support to the tourism industry on how to prevent and respond to health crises. This includes providing training and resources to tourism workers, such as hotel staff and tour operators, on how to identify and respond to health risks, as well as promoting healthy behaviors among tourists, such as practicing good hygiene and getting vaccinated before traveling. The program also works with health organizations like the CDC and ECDC to provide up-to-date information on health risks and outbreaks, and to develop strategies for mitigating the spread of diseases. For example, the program has partnered with the CDC to develop guidelines for the tourism industry on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and has worked with the ECDC to develop a toolkit for tourism workers on how to identify and respond to health risks.
What is the impact of the program on local communities?
The program has had a positive impact on local communities, with many tourism destinations experiencing improved health outcomes and increased economic benefits from tourism. According to a study by the World Bank, the program has also contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which focuses on good health and well-being. The program has also been recognized by major tourism companies, such as Expedia and Booking.com, as an important initiative for promoting healthy tourism practices and supporting the tourism industry.
How can I get involved in the program?
There are several ways to get involved in the Global Tourism and Health Programme, including participating in training and capacity-building activities, promoting healthy tourism practices in your business or community, and supporting the program's initiatives and campaigns. You can also contact the WHO or the UNWTO to learn more about the program and how to get involved. According to the WHO, the program is open to all stakeholders, including tourism companies, health organizations, and government agencies, and welcomes contributions and support from anyone interested in promoting healthy tourism practices.
What are the future plans for the program?
The future plans for the Global Tourism and Health Programme include expanding its reach and impact, with a focus on supporting small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, and promoting healthy tourism practices in emerging tourism destinations. The program also plans to continue working with health organizations like the CDC and ECDC to provide up-to-date information on health risks and outbreaks, and to develop strategies for mitigating the spread of diseases. According to the UNWTO, the program has the potential to make a significant contribution to the achievement of the SDGs, particularly SDG 3, which focuses on good health and well-being.