The maiden Global Youth Tourism Summit organised by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is fast approaching and organisers have confirmed some of the international role models who will be there in the Italian coast city of Sorrento to mentor the young and budding talents for the tourism sector.
Scheduled to take place from June 27 to July 3, 2022, in Italy, the youth summit is aimed at enhancing youth empowerment and engagement in the tourism sector.
It will connect young talent with sector leaders and inspire change. It is hoped to become a major annual event for the global tourism sector.
Leading the list of celebrities and high-level personnel to participate at the event will be Ivorian and Chelsea soccer legend Didier Drogba. The star who is also one of UNWTO’s Responsible Tourism Ambassadors will be engaging in mentoring sessions with participants.
Drogba confirmed his participation during the launch of the summit.
He said “Tourism is a great sector full of positive objectives and humanity in a sector where children of the world have to be protagonists and I am so looking forward to being with you all physically in Sorrento this year .’’
He expressed his appreciation to the Secretary-General and Italy’s Minister of Tourism for the initiative which he deemed very important for the planet and the current generation.
Other dignitaries and celebrities confirmed to be participating include Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, Mr. Nicola Villa, Executive Vice President at MasterCard Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice-Chair and Secretary General of Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF), UNWTO Ambassador and Ms. Valeria Mazza, a UNWTO Ambassador among many others.
Addressing participants in a virtual brief, the Secretary-General of UNWTO Zurab Pololikashvili said the initiative is geared at soliciting all the exciting ideas from the youth in building better and sustainable tourism for the future.
‘’Youth is high on the agenda of the United Nations and UNWTO is committed to finding and supporting the best young tourism talent – as this landmark event makes clear,’’ Mr. Pololikashvili said.
‘’Tourism is a proven source of opportunity for young people – in cities and in rural communities, from every educational background and in every global region. As the sector evolves, we need to make sure young people have the skills and knowledge they need to be part of it,’’ he added.
The summit will include a series of international events, workshops, and other educational initiatives, that will give children and youth a unique platform to share and discuss ideas and shape their visions for the future of sustainable tourism within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Thirteen Tourism Ministers are expected to address and have special sessions with the young delegates.
Participants from over sixty countries have been confirmed to be in Sorrento.
The maiden event which was to take place last year had to be postponed to late June this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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