UNWTO News Page 25
Egypt welcomes UNWTO flight ban call
The Egyptian minister of tourism, Yehia Rashed, has welcomed the UNWTO’s call for the lifting of any unnecessary bans on travel for tourists. The UNWTO comments were made at the start of the UNWTO Executive Council meeting in Malaga, Spain.
UNWTO: Tourism valued at £1.4tn in 2015
International tourism receipts in destinations around the world grew by 3.6 per cent in 2015, in line with the 4.4 per cent increase in international arrivals, according to the latest figures from the UNWTO. For the fourth consecutive year, international tourism grew faster than world merchandise trade, raising tourism’s share in world’s exports to seven per cent in 2015. The total export value from international tourism amounted to US$1.4 trillion.
UNWTO expresses support for Ecuador tourism following earthquake
Ministers and high representatives of UNWTO Members States in the Americas meeting in Havana, Cuba have express their full support to Ecuador following the tragic earthquake that struck the country’s central coast on April 16th, 2016. The statement came during the occasion 60th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the Americas.
UNWTO: Bright future for Greek tourism
United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary general Taleb Rifai has expressed the confidence of the organisation in the continued growth of the tourism sector in Greece. In 2015, international tourist arrivals to Greece grew by seven per cent to reach 23.6 million, while exports generated by the sector increased by six per cent to €14.2 billion.
UNWTO bets on Egyptian tourism recovery
UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai, has expressed the organisations’ full confidence in the recovery of tourism in Egypt during a recent visit to the country. On the occasion, Rifai met with Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in the presence of the Egyptian minister of tourism, Hisham Zaazou. The resident reiterated his full support to the tourism sector and its utmost determination in ensuring that Egypt is a safe, attractive and leading tourism destination saying “if tourism recovers, Egypt will recover”.
Terror hits North Africa as global tourism soars
International tourist arrivals grew by 4.4 per cent in 2015 to reach a total of 1,184 million in 2015, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Some 50 million more tourists (overnight visitors) travelled to international destinations around the world last year as compared to 2014. However, attacks by the Islamic State group have led to a fall in tourism in parts of North Africa.
Travel Consul welcomed to UNWTO
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has welcomed Travel Consul as a member of its Affiliate Membership Program during its recent General Assembly held in Medellin, Colombia. Travel Consul is a fast growing international marketing communications alliance consisting of advertising, brand strategy, public relations, digital, media and marketing firms spread across the globe - all specialising in travel.
Kenya joins UNWTO Executive Council
Kenya has been elected to the highest decision making body of the United Nation World Tourism Organisation Executive Council. The announcement was confirmed at the 21st UNWTO General Assembly, held in Medellin, Colombia. Kenya’s appointment provides a significant endorsement to the country’s tourism sector as it means that Kenya will now, for the next two years, have a leading role on the UN affiliate body responsible for the coordination of global tourism issues and programmes.
UNWTO calls for greater tourism role in development
Despite its wide-reaching socio-economic impacts, tourism still receives limited attention as a tool for development, argues the UNWTO. During the third International Conference on Financing for Development, the organisation called for higher support for tourism in international financing for development flows to maximise the sector’s contribution to sustainable development across the globe.
UNWTO: International tourism continued rapid growth in early 2015
International tourism demand continued to be robust between January and April 2015 with tourist arrivals increasing four per cent worldwide according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Almost all regions enjoyed strong growth. Prospects for the May-August period remain upbeat, with close to 500 million tourists expected to travel abroad during these four months.
Amadeus expands affiliation with UNWTO to explore technological innovation
Amadeus and UNWTO have said they will join forces to advance the use of technology in tourism in areas such as education and multi-modality. Amadeus has been a UNWTO Affiliate Member since 2007, with the new memorandum of understanding set to consolidate their partnership in several areas.
Maldives launches year long advertising campaign
Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation has launched its new marketing campaign ‘Visit Maldives Year 2016’ during the 27th UNWTO conference at the Bandos Island Resort, Maldives. The official VMY 2016 campaign logo was revealed by president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom during the opening of the conference.