Global tourism summit in Dubai to tackle issues on freedom to travel

The event is taking place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The objective is to explore the approaches that can balance the prizes of freedom and opportunity to travel with sustainability in a changing world.

As millions of people prepare to take a holiday break over spring, there is a muttering in the background from governments wanting to raise taxes, from environmental groups contesting the notion of excessive leisure travel, and from destinations fearing for the survival of local culture.

The freedom to travel can be viewed as a major political freedom, comparable to the right of freedom of expression. It is essential to human contact for business or leisure, and it widens the horizons of individuals, both literally and figuratively.

But how free is it? Over and above the financial cost to the individual traveller, there are clearly other factors to take into account.

The environmental and cultural impact of increased number of travellers can either be positive or negative, depending on how the flows are managed. Travel & Tourism can sustain, support and nurture the environments and cultures it touches upon - but can also do much harm without the right strategies.

The fact that many people in the world have neither the freedom nor the funds to travel is another obvious challenge. How far can Travel & Tourism play a role in the economic, social and even political developments that can widen access to its benefits?

Pricing carbon into products and services may offer some scope for solutions - but if conducted as a policy in isolation it risks restricting Travel & Tourism to the elite rather than widening access.

Bringing public and private sector leaders together should throw new light on their roles - and on the role of individuals too - in reaching that balance. The summit itself is the consequence of a major public/private partnership comprising the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Emirates Group, Jumeirah Group and Nakheel.