WTTC president David Scowsill, left, and Taleb Rifai, UNWTO secretary general, right, present the letter to Ms Fernández

Argentinean president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has underlined the importance of tourism as a sector able to “generate decent work and wealth across the entire country” on receiving the UNWTO/World Travel & Tourism Council Open Letter on Tourism.

“The tourism industry in Argentina makes an important contribution to the national economy and is a powerful path towards territorial development, given its ability to generate decent work and wealth across the entire country,” she said.

The president pointed to “economic development with social inclusion and the conservation of heritage” as the cornerstone of Argentina’s tourism policy.

“We are driven by the vision of becoming South America’s tourism destination of reference for our diversity and quality of supply, based on the balanced development of the habitats and identities of our people,” she explained.

Meeting with the president on the occasion of the presentation of Argentina’s new Marketing Plan 2012-2015, UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai, and WTTC president David Scowsill presented an Open Letter which calls on global leaders to support tourism as a driver of economic growth and development.

“International tourist arrivals to Argentina have almost doubled over the past decade making the country the most visited destination in South America, with international tourism accounting for over US$5 billion a year in exports,” said Rifai.

“This is due not only to the country’s enviable natural and cultural resources, but also thanks to the correct tourism policies and the political support awarded to the sector at the highest level.

“This was evidenced in 2010 when the President created the first Ministry of Tourism in Argentina, and again today on accepting the Open Letter.” 

Scowsill added: “Latin America is a strong engine of growth to the global Travel & Tourism industry.

“The new Marketing Plan for Argentina will ensure that Argentina is one of the leading destinations driving this growth.

“It was an honour to meet with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Her acceptance of the Open Letter underlines Argentina’s commitment to support the development of the Travel & Tourism industry.”