The global tourism community gathers this week at Victoria
Falls for the 20th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly. Visa
facilitation, connectivity and accessibility will be key topics at this
Assembly, aiming to advance tourism´s sustainable growth (Livingstone/Victoria
Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe, 24 – 29 August 2013).
Key issues such as visa facilitation, connectivity and
accessibility will be in the agenda of the over 120 delegations from
UNWTO Members States gathering this week at Victoria Falls. The 20th
Session of the UNWTO General Assembly will also debate the
Organization’s Programme of Work for 2014-2015 and elect the Secretary
General for the next four years’ period.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon greeted the participants in a
video message. “Tourism is an undisputed generator of national wealth,
corporate income and local employment. Managed sustainably, it can
benefit people and planet alike,” he said addressing the Assembly. “As
we work to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and define a
post-2015 development agenda, I call on all UNWTO Members and the global
tourism community to examine how best to contribute to sustainable
development.”
“This Assembly is a timely opportunity for all of us to
continue along an encouraging path to drive tourism towards its fullest
potential in fostering sustainable economic growth, jobs and development
and what better backdrop to do so than here in Africa, a region where
we believe tourism can be a true force for good”, said UNWTO
Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
The General Assembly is the main statutory meeting of UNWTO
and the most important gathering of senior tourism officials and
high-level representatives from around the world. Held every two years,
the Assembly is attended by delegations representing Full and Associate
UNWTO Members, Affiliate Members, and representatives of other
international organizations. (Source UNWTO)
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