Press releases
7 September 2012
Baku
Azerbaijan 		Food tourism an important pillar for tourism growth along the Silk Road
Food plays a crucial and growing role in tourism development and can be a pillar for growth for the countries of the Silk Road, said experts meeting at the Flavours of the Silk Road: International Conference on Food, Culture and Tourism Conference (Baku, Azerbaijan, 6-7 September).
30 August 2012
Buenos Aires
Argentina 		Tourism makes vital contribution to economy of Argentina says President
The President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, has underlined the importance of tourism as a sector able to “generate decent work and wealth across the entire country” on receiving the UNWTO/World Travel &Tourism Council (WTTC) Open Letter on Tourism (Buenos Aires, Argentina, 28 August 2012).
2 August 2012
Madrid
Spain 		Nominations open for UNWTO Ulysses and Lifetime Achievement Awards
Nominations are open for the 2012 UNWTO Awards, recognizing exceptional leaders in the tourism community, as well as the most innovative tourism initiatives.
19 July 2012
Madrid
Spain 		UNWTO strongly condemns attack on tourist bus in Bulgaria
UNWTO is deeply shocked by the bombing of a tourist bus in Bulgaria and condemns the act in the strongest possible terms.
13 July 2012
Rome
Italy 		World Committee on Tourism Ethics calls for Safe Coastal Tourism
The Eleventh Meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics has closed with calls to make “Safe Coastal Tourism” a priority in coastal destinations worldwide (Rome, Italy, 12-13 July,).
9 July 2012
Madrid
Spain 		415 million tourists expected worldwide in the May-August peak season
International tourist arrivals worldwide grew by 5% in the first four months of 2012, despite remaining economic uncertainties in some of the major outbound markets. According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, prospects remain positive for the period May-August, the Northern Hemisphere’s summer peak season, with around 415 million tourists expected to travel abroad.
9 July 2012
Bucharest
Romania 		Well-managed tourism can help protect the world’s wetlands
Whether kayaking in the Iberá Marshes in Argentina or bird-watching at Ba-Be Lake in Vietnam, tourists are providing income for the conservation of wetlands worldwide, as demonstrated in a new publication launched by the Ramsar Secretariat and UNWTO. 
4 July 2012
Madrid
Spain 		UNWTO welcomes new Egyptian President’s support for tourism
UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, has congratulated Mr. Muhammad Morsi on his election as Egypt’s new President and applauded his support for the tourism sector, as expressed in the President’s first speech after taking office.
27 June 2012
Madrid
Spain 		Tourism & Sustainable Energy: gearing up for World Tourism Day 2012
Launching the World Tourism Day 2012 (27 September) campaign, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, has called on all tourism stakeholders to “play their part in reaching the United Nations goal of achieving sustainable energy for all by 2030”.
22 June 2012
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil 		Tourism can contribute to the three pillars of sustainability
Tourism, providing jobs and supporting the livelihoods of millions, particularly of women and young people, is central to advancing the three pillars of sustainability, agreed participants meeting at a Rio+20 tourism event.