NABEUL, June 12, 2007 (TAP)- Works of the 80th meeting of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO)'s Executive Council started on Tuesday in Hammamet. Representatives of the WTO, ministers and secretaries of state in charge of tourism from 31 countries are taking part in this two-day event.
The meeting will examine issues related to sustainable tourism, solidarity, partnership and tourism.
Tourism minister and chairman of WTO Executive Council Tijani Haddad said the choice made on Tunisia to host this session's works reflects the particular interest the country takes in tourism.
He called to make the most of the opportunities offered by the tourism sector and benefit the various most underprivileged social classes, regions and countries, stressing the role of tourism in eradicating poverty and sustainable development.
According to the report presented by the WTO secretary general Francesco Frangialli on the situation of world tourism and WTO activities, world tourism has entered, for nearly three years, a historical stage of growth.
Hence, the number of tourist roses from 800 millions in 2005 to 845 millions in 2006, i.e. a 20-pc rise in three years. Specialists forecast a stability in the rate of growth at 4 pc in 2007, i.e. less than 1.2 point compared to the last year. This stability is considered as a gradual return to long term growth.
Mr. Frangialli said all countries of the world were concerned by the growth recorded in 2006, notably those of Africa where the growth rate reached 7.6 pc, Central America (6 pc), Southern America (7 pc) and the Middle East (3.9 pc) despite the upheavals experienced by the region.
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World Tourism Organisation's Executive Council meeting opens in Tunis
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