The CETT Fundació promotes a Reflection Group to explore a more regenerative tourism sector

The CETT Fundació promotes its Reflection Group with the aim of generating a platform for dialogue and value contribution on issues of relevance to the tourism sector, through which to explore solutions, recommendations, applicable knowledge and strategies that challenge the sector and society. Thus, the group is a space that aims to be a loudspeaker for the concerns and proposals of tourism professionals, with the intention of expanding in the future to incorporate new perspectives. 

The work dynamics will include periodic reflection sessions, the organization of an annual policy dialogue and the publication of a document of conclusions with recommendations for the sector. In this sense, it aims to incorporate representatives from different sectors with an interdisciplinary approach and diversity of profiles to ensure a global and inclusive vision. 

The purpose of the Reflection Group is to generate a platform for dialogue between academia, the private sector and administrations to discuss issues of relevance to tourism. In this line, it presents the following main objectives: 

• Encourage debate on strategic issues for the tourism sector 

• To create applicable knowledge for the sustainable development of tourism 

• To influence the formulation of tourism policies based on the reflections and recommendations arising from the meetings 

• To provide continuity to the debate through an active relationship among members throughout the year 

The group held its first meeting on Tuesday, January 28, during which different impressions were shared on the current situation of the sector and possible thematic areas for further study were identified: tourism and climate change in the Mediterranean region and the social legitimacy of tourism and its public perception. 

After the interventions, it was agreed that the first day of reflection, to be held on May 13, will focus on the theme: “Tourism and Mediterranean climate emergency” due to the environmental impact of tourism and the climatic fragility of the Mediterranean, with the economic and social risks posed by a lack of adaptation strategies. Therefore, the need to identify concrete and applicable actions and raise awareness to promote systemic change is emphasized. 

Management and Coordination Team

• Dr. Jordi Arcos, research director of CETT 

• Dr. Eugeni Osácar, Academic Director of the UB Chair of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy CETT 

• Núria Guitart, coordinator of the UB Chair of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy CETT 

• Marta Salvador Almela, research coordinator at CETT 

Members 

• Cristina Cabañas, president Climent Guitart Foundation 

• Narcís Coll, president Fundació Gaspar Espuña Foundation 

• Dr. Maria Abellanet i Meya, President of CETT 

• Marta Domènech, Director General of Tourism of the Generalitat de Catalunya 

• Jaume Dulsat, Tourism & Hospitality Leader d'Eurofirms Group and president of the Taula Gironina de Turisme 

• Marcel Forns, General Manager GEBTA 

• Elisabet Ferrer, General Manager of CETT 

• Dr. Xavier Font, deputy director general of Territorial Tourism Development of the Generalitat de Catalunya 

• Pere Duran, director general of Tourism between 2000 and 2014 

• Núria Terribas, director Víctor Grífols i Lucas Foundation 

• Dr. Anna Torres, lecturer at the University of Barcelona