African leader joins worldwide tourism campaign
The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has joined the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Leaders for Tourism Campaign.
Earlier this week, President Zuma was presented an open letter stressing the importance of travel and tourism to global growth and development by WTTC President and CEO, David Scowsill and by David de Villiers, chairman of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics, representing UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
“Given the importance we attach to this industry, we are delighted to be the first African nation to join the Global Leaders for Tourism campaign,” said President Zuma, receiving the open letter.
As part of the Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign, UNWTO and WTTC are jointly presenting heads of state and government around the world an open letter which calls on them to acknowledge tourism’s key role.
“South Africa clearly understands the positive impact of travel and tourism, with its ability to stimulate growth and generate new jobs,” said David Scowsill, speaking at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town.
“President Zuma has a deep understanding of the industry, and we salute his leadership as the first African leader to sign the Golden Book.”
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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