ID :
248931
Tue, 07/24/2012 - 14:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/248931
The shortlink copeid
Malaysia Wants Greater Cooperation to Empower Tourism as Tool for World Peace
PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -– Malaysia has called on Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (Apec) members to play their role for greater cooperation to empower
tourism as a tool for world peace and prosperity.
Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said travellers required a safe and stable
world -- affordable, efficient and more secure and less stressful travel where
there was no violence or terrorism.
“We can, together, make this planet a better, borderless world to visit,
protect Mother Nature, promote national prosperity, create new wealth and
employment opportunities and reduce the urban-rural economic divide.
“There is need for greater international and regional cooperation to empower
tourism. Apec can play this role effectively,” she said when addressing the
three-day, seventh Apec Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Khabarovsk, Russia,
beginning Monday.
Dr Ng said, G-20’s recognition of the importance of tourism globally, with
an adoption of the tourism paragraph in the declaration of the G-20 Leaders’
Summit on June 18 and 19, was a significant breakthrough for global tourism
development.
She also shared Malaysia’s view on tourism at the meeting, saying that
tourism was a synergistic and collaborative economy.
“Malaysia does not view tourism as a competitive industry. We all have our
individual, national niche, uniqueness and attractions. Tourists want to see
and experience the world,” she said.
Meanwhile, on issues pertaining to European Union (EU) Emissions Trading
Scheme (ETS), Dr Ng proposed that Apec take position in its objection to the
inclusion of international aviation in the EU ETS.
She said the unilateral and mandatory extension of the EU-ETS to include
non-EU carriers operating to and from EU aerodromes, without the consent of our
government, was inconsistent with the Convention of Civil Aviation and an
impediment to global tourism.
“If every state or region were to impose similar measures unilaterally,
without consultation with other states or regions, the airlines may be taxed
multiple times for each flight, resulting in severe negative consequences for
the airlines and the economy.
“We strongly suggest that the EU consider revoking the implementation of
EU-ETS,” she said, adding that countries that voiced their opposition to the
EU-ETS, included the People’s Republic of China, Mexico, Australia and Thailand.
-- BERNAMA