World Tourism Organization (UNWTO): YouTourist - the Social Network Platform for the Tourism Industry

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO): YouTourist - the Social Network Platform for the Tourism Industry

February 02, 2007

    MADRID, Spain, Feb. 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- UNWTO and
WISeKey announced an agreement today to expand the use of
traveller identification and authentication technologies in
the multibillion dollar tourism sector.

    This collaboration builds on the Public Private
Partnership agreement signed by UNWTO and Microsoft in
2006. The partners will seek to deliver YouTourist as a
unique e-Tourism Social Network (youTourist.net). Based on
WISeKey Digital Identification and Microsoft Cardspace
technologies, this platform allows tourists to connect with
one another to exchange information based on the UNWTO's
Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

    The Code is a blueprint for safeguarding the resources
upon which tourism depends, ensuring that its benefits are
equitably shared in the spirit of the Millennium
Development Goals. It sets out guiding principles for
governments, destinations, tour operators, travel agents,
tourism workers, developers, and travelers themselves.

    Geoffrey Lipman Assistant Secretary-General of UNWTO
said "the time is right to take advantage of new
technologies to advance the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics.
The explosion of social networks fits perfectly with the
spirit of the responsible and sustainable tourism that we
are seeking to encourage."

    YouTourist will encourage tourist exchanges of
pictures, videos, and comments and give special
communication opportunities for local communities and
travel companies involved in the whole chain of tourism
development. Crosscutting areas in poverty alleviation can
be greatly aided by introducing the type of technology
available for travel industry Trusted Social Networks.
Digital Identification for secure participation will be a
key element.

    Carlos Moreira, CEO of WISeKey quoted: "We are
truly in support of the UNWTO Code of Ethics. In the years
to come `Sustainable Tourism' will be the only way out and
emerging economies expect from global players like us that
we contribute to close the gap for the benefit of everyone.
The link between WISeKey's leading edge secure digital
identification and UNWTO's Global Code of Ethics brings a
new dimension to the concept of trusted travel via
YouTourist.net."

    The Trusted Social Network for the Tourism Industry
will inter connect to the global information infrastructure
provided by agencies offering e-Tourism Services. It will
federate participating agencies into a global e-Tourism
Portal using Single Sign On technologies.


    For more information, please contact:

     Marcelo Risi, 
     UNWTO Press and Communications Department
     Tel:     [phone] 
     Fax:     [phone]
     Email:   [e-mail] 
     Web:     http://www.unwto.org


SOURCE  WISeKey SA