UNWTO News Page 23
Middle Eastern tourism under spotlight at ATM ministerial forum
Visitors to the MENA region will total 195 million by 2030, growing at a rate higher than the world average, according to figures by the World Tourism Organisation. The rapid development of the sector will form part of the discussion at the UNWTO & ATM ministerial forum at the Arabian Travel Market this year.
ITB Berlin 2017: UNWTO fosters Silk Route cooperation
The seventh UNWTO Silk Road Ministers Meeting was held earlier at ITB Berlin, focusing on how to foster sustainable tourism development along the ancient route.
ITB Berlin 2017: Rifai calls for tolerance through tourism
Tourism can transform our world and build better understanding in a world living a deficit of tolerance said UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai, at ITB Berlin. “In a world that seems increasingly short of tolerance and generosity, we should cherish tourism as a precious pillar of peace among communities and nations,” he told an industry audience.
UNWTO raises deep concern over US travel ban
Days after the event, the World Tourism Organisation has moved to express its “deep concern” and “strong condemnation” over the recently announced travel ban by the United States of America. The ban announced on Friday, effectively bars nationals of seven countries - Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen – from entering the US.
UNWTO endorses Belarus visa-free travel initiative
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has expressed its full support to the decision of the government of Belarus to launch the five-day visa-free policy that will be applicable to travellers from 80 countries.
Japan signs on for UNWTO sustainability agenda
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the Japan International Cooperation Agency have signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at providing a framework for joint action in the area of sustainable tourism.
UNWTO: Tourism demand remains strong despite challenges
Demand for international tourism remained robust in 2016 despite challenges. International tourist arrivals grew by 3.9 per cent to reach a total of 1,235 million, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.
Seychelles tourism minister St. Ange steps down to pursue UNWTO aspirations
Alain St. Ange has stepped down from his post of Seychelles minister of tourism. He will be replaced by Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, who will be sworn in today by president Danny Faure as the new minister of tourism, civil aviation, ports and marine for the Republic of the Seychelles.
Poland to host International Congress on Ethics and Tourism in April
Coinciding with the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development to be celebrated throughout 2017, the third International Congress on Ethics and Tourism will be held in Poland, on April 27th-28th, 2017. Organised by the World Tourism Organisation, the event will focus on the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in promoting a more sustainable tourism sector.
UNWTO secretary general stresses EU links
During a recent visit to Brussels, Belgium, the secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Taleb Rifai, discussed how to reinforce the collaboration of the organisation with the European Union. Rifai met the EU commissioners for education, culture, youth and sports, Tibor Navracsics; for environment, maritime affairs and fisheries, Karmenu Vella; and for international cooperation and development, Neven Mimica.
UNWTO secretary general Taleb Rifai congratulates St Petersburg on World Travel Awards success
The secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Taleb Rifai, has congratulated St Petersburg on its recent success at the World Travel Awards. The Russian cultural hotspot was recognised with the title of World’s Leading Cultural City Destination by voters at the World Travel Awards during the Grand Final Gala Ceremony in the Maldives earlier this month. The title is in addition to that of Europe’s Leading Destination, which St Petersburg won for the second year in succession in September.
UNWTO highlights ecological potential of international tourism
With the objective of advancing the contribution of the tourism sector to biodiversity preservation the World Tourism Organisation participated in the UN Biodiversity Conference COP13, in Cancun, Mexico. The conference is focused on mainstreaming biodiversity across relevant sectors, especially agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism.