Former U.S. president Obama calls for greater openness, freedom of movement

Former U.S. President Barack Obama called for greater openness and freedom of movement between nations in a speech delivered at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) summit being held in Seville, southern Spain.

Former U.S President Barack Obama speaks to audience at the World Travel & Tourism Council 2019 Global Summit in Seville, Spain, Wednesday, April 3, 2019. [Photo: AP/Laura Leon]

Taking the rostrum in the city where his eldest daughter, Malia, had spent several months studying, Obama argued that tourism was vital for broadening understanding between people at a time when xenophobia and nationalism appear to be on the rise.

"Travel reminds us of what we share ... it allows us to recognize ourselves in each other," he said.

He warned of the dangers of processes, such as Brexit or his successor Donald Trump's plans to build a wall separating the U.S. from Mexico.

"Whether it's Brexit in the UK or the political upheavals that have happened in the United States, or some of the surges in populism in continental Europe, all of those are not just reactions to economic changes but also a reaction to people feeling that their status is being eroded or the assumption their country is being undermined and they want to either put up genuine walls or metaphorical walls to preserve what they think they have," he told delegates.

However, Obama believes building walls and stronger frontiers is dangerous because it will lead to "greater and greater conflict and greater and greater clashes between peoples".

The former U.S. leader held China and Brazil up as examples of countries that are making it easier for people to visit them by giving visitors easier access to travel visas.

"That's an example of something that is concrete and specific," he commented, saying it was important for governments to also see the economic advantages of welcoming foreigners into their countries to help promote greater openness.

"I think making the case to governments and leaders about the economic benefits and values of tourism obviously is the easiest way to get their attention because there's no government and no leader on the planet right now who's not thinking about how I make sure that the economy is growing and people are gainfully employed," said Obama.

The former president also met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for around 20 minutes.

Following the meeting, Sanchez tweeted that "Progressive leaders know that in order to face global challenges, such as climate change, we need multilateralism. I have shared a very stimulating exchange of ideas on how to tackle global warming with Barack Obama."