During the thematic session Building the future; innovation, education and rural development of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, stressed that the industry without chimneys is much more than an economic engine.

It means the knowledge of the peoples, cultural exchanges, education and, of course, an approach to our rural communities in need of greater visibility and development, he said.

The Chief Executive congratulated himself on the economic improvements experienced by Spain last November and said that the main key to success in the return to post-pandemic normality and recovery is directly related to the vaccination campaign against Covid-19.

He recalled that his government has donated more than 30 million doses to developing countries and called on the international community to participate in the solidarity process to fight this scourge.

He praised the effectiveness of the Green Passport or Covid-19 Certificate valid for 49 countries, many not members of the European Union but beneficiaries of this idea, and said that Spain is ready to reinforce its condition of second power in the world of tourism (behind France) in visitors and income.

We have the duty to restore the resilience of tourism, confidence to travelers and project ourselves with respect for the environment, reiterated Thursday Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary general of the UNWTO.

The head of the United Nations entity pointed out that today is a historic day for the industry, based on the implementation of three pilot projects in rural development, active participation of young people and initiatives to reduce the use of plastic in tourism.

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