UNWTO condemns US travel ban policy

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released a statement expressing its deep concern and strong condemnation over the recently announced travel ban by the US to nationals of seven countries.

The travel ban, based on nationality, is contrary to the principles of freedom of travel and travel facilitation promoted by the international tourism community and will hinder the immense benefits of the tourism sector brings in terms of economic growth and job creation to many countries, including the US, the statement said.

“Global challenges demand global solutions and the security challenges that we face today should not prompt us to build new walls; on the contrary, isolationism and blind discriminatory actions will not lead to increased security but rather to growing tensions and threats,” said UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai. “Besides the direct impact, the image of a country which imposes travel bans in such a hostile way will surely be affected among visitors from all over the world and risk dumping travel demand to the US,” added Rifai.