Press releases
18 June 2013
Madrid
Spain 		UNWTO and Casa Árabe to promote tourism development in the Arab World
UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai and Casa Árabe Director General Eduardo López Busquets have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote sustainable tourism development and strengthening institutional capacity in Arab countries (Madrid, 10 June 2013).
14 June 2013
Madrid
Spain 		Libya counts on tourism to help rebuild country
Libya´s Ministry of Tourism has enlisted UNWTO to help implement an action plan to rebuild its tourism sector as an effective way to increase national revenue, create employment, foster national cohesion and enhance the county’s international image. A UNWTO mission led by Secretary-General Taleb Rifai made a first approach on the specific needs of the country during a workshop on technical cooperation in the capital Tripoli (9-10 June 2013).
13 June 2013
Madrid
Spain 		Asia’s tourism businesses commit to UNWTO Global Code of Ethics
Some of Asia’s most prominent tourism businesses have signed the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, committing to implement the ethical provisions of the Code in their policies, plans and business operations. The signing took place at the first Regional Conference on Tourism Partnerships on Future Tourism for Asia and the Pacific in the presence of UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai and H.E. Mr. Yoo Jinryong, Korea´s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (1 June, Seoul, Republic of Korea).
5 June 2013
Nicosia
Cyprus 		President of Cyprus – tourism key for the country
The President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, stressed the importance of tourism to the economy of the island while receiving the UNWTO / World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Open Letter on Travel and Tourism. By accepting the Open Letter, President Anastasiades adds his voice to those world leaders which rally support for tourism as a key for growth and fairer development (Nicosia, Cyprus 24 May 2013).
3 June 2013
Madrid
Spain 		World Tourism Day 2013 - promoting tourism’s role in water preservation
Centered on the theme ‘Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future’, World Tourism Day 2013 will underline tourism´s responsibility and needed commitment to preserving the world´s vital water resources. The Maldives will host the official celebrations on 27 September 2013.
29 May 2013
Madrid
Spain 		UNWTO Awards 2013 - Call for Nominations
UNWTO is inviting submissions for the 2013 Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism, which acknowledge the achievements of exceptional leadership in the sector. The nominations should be submitted before 1 October 2013.
28 May 2013
Madrid
Spain 		UNWTO Executive Council recommends Taleb Rifai for Secretary-General for the period 2014-2017
The 95th session of the UNWTO Executive Council, meeting in Belgrade, unanimously recommended Taleb Rifai as a nominee for the post of Secretary-General for the four-year-period starting January 2014 (Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, 28 May 2013).
15 May 2013
Madrid
Spain 		International tourism receipts grew by 4% in 2012
Receipts from international tourism in destinations around the world grew by 4% in 2012 reaching US$ 1075 billion. This growth is equal to the 4% increase in international tourist arrivals which reached 1035 million in 2012. An additional US$ 219 billion was recorded in receipts from international passenger transport, bringing total exports generated by international tourism in 2012 to US$ 1.3 trillion.
14 May 2013
Madrid
Spain 		UNWTO welcomes Trinidad and Tobago as its new Member
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 starting today in San Jose, Costa Rica.
8 May 2013
Dubai
United Arab Emirates 		UNWTO & ATM Ministerial Forum welcomes over 25 ministers as second annual meeting emphasises need for aviation and tourism sector synergy
More than 25 ministers took part in the second annual UNWTO & Ministerial Forum at the Arabian Travel Market with delegates sharing their views on how to work together towards long-term aviation and tourism sector growth.