The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has signed a new partnership agreement with the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) to boost adventure tourism globally.

The UN specialized agency for tourism signed the deal on the Corporate Social Responsibility Day (March 7) at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade fair.

At the crux of the agreement are precedent-setting initiatives dedicated to enhancing the understanding of and professionalization of the global adventure travel sector.

Over the next two years UNWTO and the ATTA, an association dedicated to the professionalization and responsible growth of the adventure travel industry worldwide, will collaborate to conduct an economic impact study to analyze the rapidly growing adventure tourism sector and its potential impact on regional communities.

The two organizations will tackle matters concerning definitions, market size and trends, education/training, and standards and guideline development activities specifically concerning adventure travel, said Taleb Rifai of the UNWTO after signing the deal with ATTA president Shannon Stowell.

“We have been following closely what ATTA has been doing in the area of research and training and we are very happy to strengthen our relationship with this commitment,” he stated.

The new agreement enhances the relationship between the public and private organizations which was first officially established in October 2012 at the ATTA Adventure Travel World Summit in Switzerland.

“The UNWTO’s commitment is further fueling destination and private sector interest in understanding and pursuing this specialized form of tourism,” remarked ATTA president Stowell.

“The economic impact study will provide data allowing us to measure definitely the role adventure tourism plays in responsible tourism development,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service