UNWTO News Page 29
UNWTO discusses technology & social media as tool for competitive tourism
Bournemouth University Professor Dimitrios Buhalis chaired the conference and advised countries on how to use social media and technology to boost tourist trade.
UNWTO welcomes Trinidad and Tobago as its new member
Trinidad and Tobago has become the UN World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) 156th Member State as the country rejoins the organisation after 35 years. The announcement was made by the Secretary General, Taleb Rifai, at the opening of the 55th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the Americas starting today in San Jose, Costa Rica.
UNWTO reveals steady increase in global tourism spending
Receipts from international tourism in destinations around the world grew by four per cent in 2012, reaching US$1,075 billion, figures from the UNWTO reveal. This growth is equal to the four per cent increase in international tourist arrivals, which reached 1,035 million in 2012.
Trinidad and Tobago joins UNWTO
Trinidad and Tobago has become UNWTO’s 156th Member State as the country rejoins the Organization after 35 years. The announcement was made by the Secretary General, Taleb Rifai, at the opening of the 55th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the Americas in San Jose, Costa Rica.
United Arab Emirates joins rejoins United Nations World Tourism Organisation
UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai, has announced the United Arab Emirates has rejoined the organisation 26 years after leaving. “The Middle East is one of the fastest growing tourism regions in the world in spite of facing countless challenges; much of this dynamism has been led by the strong political commitment awarded to tourism in the region and the vision that tourism is a key pillar of development in the Middle East of which the UAE is a perfect example,” said Rifai.
New UNWTO/Tourism Australia report highlights tourism potential of SE Asia
Asia’s affluent middle class is set to increase almost fivefold over the next 20 years, presenting significant opportunities for Australian tourism, according to a new report released by Tourism Australia and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) at this year’s Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE).
UNWTO signs new partnership with PATA
Advancing economic diversification, cultural and environmental preservation through tourism are the key objectives of a new Strategic Partnership signed between UNWTO and the Pacific Asia Travel Association. The lasting support to the development objectives and the positioning of tourism as a central contributor to economic growth and sustainability in Asia are at the centre of the Strategic Partnership.
Encouraging travel facilitation and connectivity in Asia Pacific
Travel facilitation, connectivity and the sustainable development of the tourism sector were at the center of UNWTO’s 25th annual statutory meeting for Asia and the Pacific and its adjoining conference on sustainable tourism in Hyderabad, India from the 12-14 April.
Talib Rifai, secretary generally, UNWTO
Talib Rifai, secretary generally, UNWTO, speaks to Breaking Travel News at the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit in Abu Dhabi.
UNWTO call on tourists to help reduce illicit trafficking
In the presence of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have agreed to launch a new public awareness campaign calling on tourists to help reduce demand for illicit goods and services linked to transnational organized crime.
UNWTO hosts meeting of the UN Chief Executives Board
Coinciding with the tenth anniversary of becoming a specialized UN agency, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will host the spring meeting of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) in Madrid, Spain, from April 5-6, 2013.
China’s new national tourism strategy set to increase outbound tourism
The Outline for National Tourism and Leisure (2013-2020)’, recently issued by the government of China, sets the ground for the redefinition of tourism development and management in the country, including a strong support for outbound tourism as well as a focus on a greater distribution of the economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits of tourism.