09 June 2009

UNWTO boss to speak at Tourism Society debate

New UNWTO secretary general Taleb Rifai is to join a Tourism Society debate in London next month.

The session on July 14 will look at the implications of the G:20 summit outcome on the international tourism industry; what governments are doing to combat the global recession and where tourism fits in.

The Tourism Society hope the debate will herald a 'shift change' in attitudes of global governments who will finally take tourism seriously as a means to boost their ailing economies, a statement said.

Other speakers lined up include VisitBritain chairman Christopher Rodrigues, South African tourism minister Marthinus VanSchalkwyk and the UNWTO’s Geoffrey Lipman.

"As world leaders grapple with today's unprecedented global economic conditions we want to stress the potential for tourism and travel to support short term stimulus actions as well as longer term transformation to a green economy, coherent with development and climate imperatives," Lipman said.

Chairman of the debate will be Society president Lord Thurso MP, Liberal Democrat shadow business, enterprise and regulatory reform secretary.

The debate takes place at the Royal College of Physicians in London following the Tourism Society’s annual meeting.

by Phil Davies

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Shame the UK has left UNWTO though.....

Congratulations to The Tourism Society for securing such a distinguished participant. And how magnanimous of the Secretary General as well, bearing in mind that the UK, which only joined UNWTO some three or four years ago, has now withdrawn from membership - a move, according to DCMS's website statement, supported by VisitBritain.

By Gilbert Archdale, Monday, June 8, 2009