MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Irfaan Ali, is currently in Spain seeking support for the further development of Guyana’s tourism product.
During his visit to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) head office in Spain, the Minister was invited to have Guyana become a member of the UNWTO, an arm of the UN.
Minister Ali’s visit to Spain coincided with the holding of the 98th session of the UNWTO Executive Council meeting, which was held over the weekend, and which highlighted the role of tourism routes in promoting regional integration and development. The Council further debated key factors to stimulate tourism growth such as visa facilitation and air connectivity while recalling the role the tourism sector can play in the sustainable development agenda.
Minister Ali reportedly delivered a presentation on investment opportunities and highlighted ways in which Guyana, through collaboration, could reach into non-traditional tourism markets.
He noted that the arrival of COPA Airlines in Guyana brings the possibility of reaching the exciting markets of Latin America and South America, much closer.
Minister Ali also addressed the issue of climate change and pointed to the devastating effects it can have on the economies and people of small island developing states.
In this regard, he called on the Secretary General of UNWTO, Mr. Taleb Rifai, to push the developing world to understand the serious consequences climate change can have on the tourism sector and to become an active voice for small island developing states.
Meanwhile, the UNWTO’s Secretary General emphasized the important role tourism is playing globally, with the sector contributing 9% to global GDP.
About UNWTO
UNWTO is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.
UNWTO encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, to maximize tourism’s socio-economic contribution while minimizing its possible negative impacts, and is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), geared towards reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development.
UNWTO generates market knowledge, promotes competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for development through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries around the world.
UNWTO’s membership includes 156 countries, 6 Associate Members and over 400 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.