The Hague, 17 December 2007 - SNV, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Sustainable Tourism- Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) Foundation will join forces to promote and realise sustainable tourism projects. An agreement was reached at the 2007 UNWTO General Assembly in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia).

The partners aim at pulling 20,000 to 25,000 households directly out of poverty through tourism over a period of three years. Furthermore, 900,000 people will benefit indirectly from this cooperation. Key in the initiative are strengthened linkages between projects supported and the involvement of the private sector. In Cartagena, SNV took the opportunity of addressing and promoting the concept of inclusive business. Through the inclusive business model, poor communities can be involved in business, not only as consumers, but also as employees, suppliers and small investors. The three partners have agreed to involve other stakeholders, private sector parties or development agencies to join in their partnership and in this manner contribute to the 1st Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015.