Tourism Organizations

World Tourism Organization (WTO)International Civil Aviation Organization

(ICAO)International Air Transport Association (IATA)

International Organizations

The WTO is the chief organization in tourism.

A governmental body which deals with all aspects of tourism.

Began on January 2, 1975.

World Tourism Organization

Before, it is called International Union of Official Travel Organization, (IUTO), a nongovernmental technical body set up at Hague, Netherlands in 1925 to promote tourism for the economic, social, and cultural advancement of all nations.

Interrupted by World War II in 1946, reestablished in London. Its headquarters was later transferred to Madrid.

Recognized by United Nations Conference on International Travel and Tourism and considered as the main instrument for the promotion of tourism.

The rapid 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 IUTO into WTO.

And the intergovernmental organizations of universal vocation providing an adequate framework for government-level consultations, effective cooperation between member states and formulation of decisions on all questions relating to their policies in the field of tourism.

The WTO works in cooperation with all international organizations, particularly United Nations, as well as with commercial and noncommercial bodies involved in tourism.

There are three classes of members:Full memberAssociate memberAffiliate member

Full Members Are sovereign states

Sovereignty is the quality of having independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory

A sovereign state is a nonphysical juridical entity of the international legal system that is represented by a centralized government that has supreme independent authority over a geographic area.

International law defines sovereign states as having a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither dependent on nor subject to any other power or state.[

Associate Members Are territories or groups of territories not responsible for their

external relations but whose membership is approved by the state which assumes responsibility for their external relations.

Affiliate Members Are international bodies both government and nongovernment

concerned with specialized interest in tourism, as well as commercial and noncommercial bodies and associations whose activities are related to the aims of WTO.

The WTO has created a number of regional commissions such as the Regional Commission for Tourism in Europe, the Regional Travel Commission for the Americans, African Travel Commission, and others. Technical commissions deals with specific problems such as travel barriers and travel development.

The WTO has the same legal character as the United Nations and its specialized agencies. It has three important legally functioning bodies: General Assembly, Executive Council, and the Secretariat directed by a secretary-general.

The General Assembly, which meets once every two years, is the supreme organ of the WTO.

It is composed of representatives from all member states.

Each member has the right to vote in the decision-making process. However, the Assembly resolutions are not binding on the member states. They imply recommendations.

The Executive Council, which meets at least twice a year, is composed of members elected by the Assembly for a four-year term based on a fair and equitable geographical distribution.

The function of this council is to implement the decisions of the Assembly and prepare for future sessions.

The Secretariat, headed by a secretary-general, carries out the decisions of the General Assembly and the Executive Council.

The secretary-general is elected every four years by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Executive Council.

The primary aim of the WTO is to promote and develop tourism, to contribute to the economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity, and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.

WTO’s official publications:

International Travel StatisticsTravel Abroad – Frontier FormalitiesEconomic Review of World TourismTechnical BulletinsManuals

The WTO:Monitors and identifies trends in world tourismStudies travel demands, marketing trends, tourist

motivation, and alternative approaches to marketingSurveys the environmental effects of travel growth and

makes recommendations for the protection of natural and cultural resources

Provides services for developing and organizing tourism for countries

Serves as a clearing house for tourist information Informs members about tourism developmentConducts vocational training programsWorks for the elimination or reduction of governmental

measures for international travel and the standardization of requirements. This includes passports, visas, police registration, and frontier formalities.

Assists and develops technical cooperation projectsWorks to standardize equipment, terms, phraseology, and

signs as an aid to easier travel and understanding for foreign visitors.

An organization of around 134 governments

Established for the purpose of promoting civil aviation on a world wide scale.

Established at the Chicago conference of 1944.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Objectives:

Adopt international standards and to recommend practices for regulating air navigation

Recommend installation of navigation facilities by member countries

Set forth proposals for the reduction of customs and immigration formalities

Plan for the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation throughout the world

Encourage the improvement of the art of aircraft design and operation for peaceful purposes

Seek the development of airways, airports, and air navigation facilities for international civil aviation

Provide for safe, regular, efficient, economical air transportation

Discourage unreasonable competition Insure that the rights of contracting countries

are fully respected, and that every member has a fair opportunity to operate international airlines

Discourage discrimination between contracting countries

Promote the development of all aspects of air transportation

Established in 1945 in Havana.

Composed of airline operators attached to the national delegations of the ICAO conference in Chicago.

Members includes more than 11 scheduled airlines.

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Their objectives are: To promote safe, regular, and economical air

transport, faster air commerce, and study problems connected with the industry.

IATA serves as an agency through which airlines seek jointly to solve problems that cannot be solved individually.

It is involved in standardizing tickets, prices, weight bills, baggage checks, and other documents. This helps make travel uniforms throughout the world.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)Caribbean Tourism Association (CTA)Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)Organization of American States (OAS)Others:

South American Tourism Organization (SATO)European Travel Commission (ETC)Common Market Travel Association (CMTA)

Regional Organizations

Set up in a convention signed in Paris on December 14, 1960.

OECD established a tourism committee responsible for coordinating studies, organizing meetings of member countries to improve statistical methods of monetary exchange and accounting, and assessing the policies of member countries and their impact on tourism

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

OECD shall :promote policies designed to achieve the

highest sustainable economic growth and employment and a rising standard of living in member countries, while maintaining financial stability and contributing to the development of the world economy;

Contribute to sound economic expansion in economically developing nonmember countries

To contribute to the expansion of world trade on a multilateral, nondiscriminatory basis in accordance with international obligations

Members:Australia - Ireland - TurkeyAustria - Italy - the United

KingdomBelgium - Japan - United StatesCanada - LuxembourgDenmark - the NetherlandsFinland - New ZealandFrance - NorwayGermany - PortugalGreece - SpainIceland - Switzerland

Organized in Hawaii in 1951.

Composed of more than one thousand organizations, including governments, air and steamship lines, wholesale and retail travel agencies, ground carriers, hotels, publishers, advertisers, public relations firms, and travel associations with major interests in Pacific area.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)

Its purpose is to develop, promote, and facilitate travel in the Pacific area (including Pakistan, the United States, and Canada).

PATA was an early leader in recognizing the need for an environmental ethic among those involved in the tourism industry.

PATA has initiated the “PATA Code for Environmental Tourism.” In this code, environmentally responsible tourism means tourism which recognizes the necessity of ensuring a sustainable future.

It meets the needs of the tourism industry today and does not compromise the ability of this and future generations to conserve the environment.

PATA’s model for an environmental ethic for the travel and tourism industry foreshadows the power of industry coalitions in directing future tourism trends and their relationships with international economic affairs.

PATA organizes a wide range of conferences, reports, advertising, training programs, and seminars.

List of PATA’s publications:

Pacific Travel News

Annual Statistical Reports

Travel Market Study

Meetings Pacific (a country-by-country facilities guide)

PATA Trade Manual

Tourism International Research Pacific (quarterly)

Founded in 1951.

To encourage and assist in the development of tourism throughout the Caribbean area.

Objectives:Provide an instrument for close collaboration among

the various territories and countries concernedAugment and assist local promotional and development

efforts of the members of the association and act as liaison between the members

Caribbean Tourism Association (CTA)

Provide liaison among member governments, government agencies active in tourism development and promotion, travel and transportation industries, and organizations active in tourism and regional development

Carry out advertising and publicity measures calculated to focus the attention of the travelling public upon the Caribbean as one of the world’s outstanding vacation areas.

Encourage the promotion of adequate passenger transportation services to and within the Caribbean area and assist in the establishment of such services. The promotion and development of inter-Caribbean travel is also a particular concern of the association

Carry out statistical and research work relating to travel trends and tourism development for the benefit of the members

Negotiate with governments either directly or through the appropriate bodies for an easing of regulations and formalities which tend to be barriers to tourist travel

To carry out this objectives, the CTA publishes brochures, films, reports, newsletter, and other information about the countries’ size, language, currency, and so on.

Represents fifteen(15) countriesAustralia - the PhilippinesBrunei - SingaporeCanada - TaiwanHong Kong - ThailandIndonesia - the United StatesJapanMalaysiaNew ZealandPeople’s Republic of China

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

The purpose of APEC is to establish coordination of national economics for the benefit of countries in the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.

The specific goals are to sustain the growth and development of capital and technology in keeping with the principles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and to open and strengthen the open multi-lateral trading system in the interest of Asia-Pacific and all other economies.

APEC has ten (10) working groups including: Tourism, Telecommunications, and Transportation. Other groups include Human Resource Development, Marine Resources, Energy, Trade Promotion, Trade and Investment Data, Investment and Technology Transfer, and Fisheries.

APEC has a permanent Secretariat located in Singapore. The Secretariat is to serve as a coordinating body and the central repository for all APEC documents.

The US Travel and Tourism Administration is the first country chair of the Tourism Working Group for APEC.

It is working to coordinate activities with the Telecommunications and Transportation Groups.

As the multicultural process of negotiations for tourism, telecommunications , and transportation services falter with the stalemate of the GATT Uruguay Board, the importance of interregional tourism and trade agreements and organizations such as APEC becomes apparent.

The main objective of the Organization of American States is to strengthen relations between American states by providing advisory services and training program in many fields including tourism.

Like OECD, tourism is an important component although its principal motive was to promote economic growth. Thus OAS conducts its number of travel studies and tourism development programs.

Organizations of American States (OAS)

Others:South American Tourism Organization (SATO)European Travel Commission (ETC)Common Market Travel Association (CMTA)

All of which have been established to coordinate tourism activities among and within member countries.

Role of National Organizations in Tourism

Planning – attracting foreign investment and funding infrastructure development.

Employment and Training – determining manpower needs, developing tourism training programs.

Coordinating Public and Private Sectors – determining roles in mixed economics.

National Organizations

Responsible for the promotion of tourism in a particular country and for the overall development of the tourist industry.

Examples:United States Travel and Tourism Administration

and the Department of Tourism in the Philippines.

Its importance varies from one country to another. In some countries, tourism organizations are the full ministry or cabinet level while in others, it may be a subcabinet level or a council or information post.

National Tourism Office (NTO)

Is the primary government agency charged with the responsibility to encourage, promote, and develop tourism as a major socioeconomic activity, to generate foreign currency and employment, and to spread the benefits of tourism to a wider segment of the population, to assure the safe, convenient, enjoyable stay and travel of the foreign and local tourist in the country.

Department of Tourism in the Philippines (DOT)

Headed by the Secretary of Tourism who is assisted by three (3) undersecretaries and one assistant secretary.

The Assistant Secretary for Internal Services and Legislative Liaison is responsible for the Legal Service, Administrative Service as well as the Financial and Management Service.

The Undersecretary for Planning, Product Development, and Coordination is responsible for the Office of Tourism Development Planning, Office of Product Research and Development as well as the Office of Tourism Coordination.

The Undersecretary for Tourism Service is responsible for the Office of Tourism Standards, National Capital Region, and all Regional Offices.

Daniel G. CorpuzUndersecretary, Tourism Planning and Promotions

RAMON R. JIMENEZ, JR.DOT Secretary

Atty. Maria Victoria V. Jasmin

Undersecretary, Tourism Regulation, Coordination &

Resource Generation

Ma. Theresa I. Martinez

Undersecretary, Office of Special Concerns and

Legislative Liaison Office Atty. Eugene T. Kaw

Assistant Secretary and Chief of Staff

Benito C. Bengzon, Jr.

Assistant Secretary, International

Tourism PromotionsRolando Canizal Assistant Secretary,

Tourism Development

Planning

Ms. Jemimah-Fay L, Alentajan

Head Executive Assistant

Maria Rica C. Bueno Director, Office of

Tourism Standards and Regulations

Ma. Cynthia C. Lazo Director, Domestic Tourism

Promotions

Shalimar Hofer Tamano Director, Office

of Special Concerns

Ma. Corazon G. Jorda-Apo

Director, Office of Asia & the Pacific

Verna Esmeralda C. Buensuceso

Director, Office of Americas, Europe & the Middle EastAtty. Evelyn R.

Cajigal Director, Office of Legal

Affairs

Grace R. YoroDirector, Office of

Financial and Management Affairs

Adriana M. FlorOIC, Office of

Administrative Affairs

Evelyn A. MacayayongOIC, Office of Marketing

Communications

The Undersecretary for Tourism Promotions is responsible for the Bureau of Domestic Promotions, Bureau of International Tourism Promotions as well as the Office of Tourism Information.

Directly under the Secretary of Tourism are the National Parks and Development Committee, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation, the Philippine Tourism Authority, the Intramuros Administration, and the Nayong Pilipino Foundation, Inc.

The fifteen (15) regional offices of the DOT are responsible for the domestic tourism promotion, tourism marketing accreditation, tourism assistance, public relations, and coordination with local government units and tourism stockholders in the region.

The regional offices are in support of the government’s policy of decentralization under the Local Government Code.

The DOT regional offices are also actively involved in the formulation of Regional Tourism Master Plans (RTMP) that will serve as the framework in the development of travel and tourism in the Philippines.

The regional offices are located in the following ares:Baguio CitySan Fernando, La Union with sub-offices in Laoag CityTuguegarao, CagayanSan Fernando, Pampanga with sub-office in ClarkLegazpi City, Iloilo with sub-offices in Bacolod City and

Boracay IslandCebu City, Tacloban CityZamboanga CityCagayan de Oro CityDavao CityCotabato CityButuan CityThe oiffices of Region IV and the NCR are housed in

the DOT Building on T.M. Kalaw St. Manila

There are five (5) attached agencies that help the DOT in the performance of its functions.Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA)Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation

(PCVC)Intramuros Administration (IA)National Parks and Development Committee

(NPDC)Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF)

Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA)Composed of a General Manager and Deputy

General Managers for Administration, Finance, Infrastructure, and Operations.

Vested with the powers and functions provided under Presidential Decree No. 189 as amended by Presidential Decree No. 564. These are:To implement policies and programs of the

Department pertaining to the development, promotion, and supervision of tourism projects in the Philippines.

To promote the development into integrated resort complexes of selected and well-defined geographic areas with potential value, known as tourist zones. Such tourist zones shall consist of underdeveloped areas the ownership of which may be partially or wholly acquired by the Authority.

To extend all forms of assistance to private enterprise in understanding tourism projects.

To undertake on its own account or in joint venture with the private sector the operation and maintenance of essential tourist facilities which private enterprise alone is not prepared or willing to undertake.

To assure availability of land at reasonable prices or rental rates for private investors in hotels and other tourist facilities.

To coordinate and help implement tourism-related plans or operations of local governments, government agencies, public corporations and where necessary, those of private entities.

Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC)Was created under Executive Decree 867, was

transformed into a nonstock, nonprofit corporation by virtue of Executive Decree 1448.

Its operation was strengthened through the issuance of Executive Order 120-A to cover not only the marketing of conventions and incentive travel but also general tourism.

The PCVC is managed by an Executive Director and Deputy Executive Directors for Convention and Incentive Travel, Travel Trade, and Corporate Affairs.

The PCVC has the following objectives:Create and maintain organizational machinery to

plane, develop, and execute a campaign and conventions in the Philippines.

Conducts a continuing program to promote and project Metro Manila as a Convention City.

Supervise, assist and coordinate all activities related to the smooth operation of various congress and conventions to be held in the country.

Oversee the requirements and general welfare of the conventioneers.

Encourage and promote the development of skills and services connected with or forming an integral part in the holding of International congresses and conventions.