Hospitality Trends - World Tourism Organization UNWTO News

While the decision of the Spanish Government to implement a series of austerity measures to address the public deficit is fully understandable, UNWTO expressed great concern that such measures have translated into the end of a separate Secretariat for Tourism. This decision sends out the wrong message to the market and comes at a critical moment... - More

Meeting with the Chairman of the Presidency, Mr. Rifai outlined how tourism can be one of the driving industries of the country and expressed the willingness of UNWTO to provide relevant support and know-how. - More

Speaking at the opening session of the 8th National Conference on Tourism Futures (Brisbane, Australia, 5-7 July 2010), Mr. Rifai commended the recent launch of Australia’s National Long-Term Tourism Strategy which promotes investment in the industry, facilitates growth and maximizes employment opportunities. - More

While recent unrest in the capital of Bangkok and the provinces of Thailand has been brought under control, the events had a significant impact on the flow of tourists, a major source of jobs and export revenues for the country. Against this background, a Special Meeting on International Solidarity with Thai Tourism was organized by UNWTO and PA... - More

The President and Prime Minister of Georgia met separately with the Secretary-General, welcoming his visit and presenting a further opportunity for UNWTO to increase recognition of tourism as a key driver of job creation, economic growth and development. - More

Argentinean President, H.E. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, announced the move to separate the Ministry of Tourism from the existing Ministry of Industry and Tourism and named Carlos Enrique Meyer, previously Secretary of State for Tourism, as Minister of Tourism. - More

International tourist arrivals increased by 7% in the first four months of 2010. The 3% increase registered in April marks the seventh month of growth in international tourist arrivals after 14 consecutive months of negative results. - More

Fourteen major tourism players from the private sector and academia have been admitted as UNWTO Affiliate Members, bringing the total number to a record 418. - More

With only five years left until the target date for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the United Nations has launched the MDG Report 2010 calling for accelerated progress to reach the 2015 deadline. As the UN Specialized Agency for Tourism, UNWTO is firmly committed to fostering the tourism sector’s contribution to development. - More

Major outcomes of the first official visit of the UNWTO Secretary-General to Uruguay include the development of a report on the exemplary case of tourism in Uruguay and strengthening cooperation on key issues such as the use of alternative energies in the hotel sector and on accessible tourism. - More