The tourism sector continues to show sustained growth, according to new figures by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to be released just before Fitur in Madrid.The latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer will offer final figures for 2006, and the first regional forecasts for 2007.

“Against a projection of continuing worldwide growth of more than 4% for international arrivals, we will intensify our actions to support the sector, advance the Millennium Development Goals and promote the Global Code of Ethics in the years ahead”, UNWTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli said.

Mr Frangialli will deliver the keynote speech at the inauguration of Fitur, which will be opened by H.M. King Juan Carlos I of Spain.

 

World Tourism Barometer and Knowledge Management

 

At the start of the week of Fitur, UNWTO will present the final world tourism figures (arrivals, receipts, trends and analysis) for 2006, as well as the regional forecasts for 2007.

 

An international UNWTO think tank with experts from about 20 countries and a conference on Excellence in Tourism Governance will focus on building and increasing knowledge capacity to foster tourism competitiveness.

 

The new consumer

 

The Seminar on World Tourism Facts &Trends will provide insights into the emerging trends in the travel industry that are powering future products and services for a new type of traveler.

 

Instead of the traditional product-centred business vision, a new orientation is emerging in entrepreneurial strategy, placing the priority on the consumer and on the way businesses approach their customers.

 

Colombia to host General Assembly

 

Colombia will host the UNWTO’s General Assembly in November in Cartagena de Indias. H.E., the Vice-President of the Republic of Colombia, Francisco Santos, will sign the official accord together with Francesco Frangialli at a press conference on the first day of Fitur.

 

During this event, UNWTO will take a closer look at the tourism sector in Latin America in general, and Colombia in particular.

 

60 years serving World Tourism

 

The year 2006 marked a twofold anniversary for UNWTO: six decades serving world tourism and three decades of being established in Spain.

 

On the occasion of Fitur, we celebrate a special inauguration of our exhibition “1946-2006: Sixty Years of an Organization Serving World Tourism” at UNWTO headquarters in Madrid, with the presence of the majority of Tourism Ministers of Latin America.
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