Tourism recovery strategies on top of WTO agenda

The WTO is to meet with tourism experts at FITUR to reflect on the tourism situation and take stock of the recovery strategies implemented in different regions and countries.

In a statement, World Tourism Organization (WTO) said that during “this time of uncertainty in the world tourism industry”, resulting from the combined effects of the economic downturn and terrorism, it will take advantage of the largest international tourism fair in Spain, FITUR, to meet with tourism experts to reflect on the situation and take stock of the recovery strategies implemented in different regions and countries.

The first FITUR-related event, the “Second International Conference on Tourism” organized by the Spanish Alliance for Excellence in Tourism (Exceltur), took place on 27 January. The President of the Spanish government Mr. José María Aznar, attended the conference during which some twenty CEOs, presidents and other high ranking tourism managers and experts from the public and private sectors revealed their vision of the current tourism situation. Among them, WTO Secretary-General Mr. Francesco Frangialli presented the WTO stands and the latest tourism trends.

The first preliminary results of the world’s tourism performance in 2002 was released the same day by Mr Frangialli and WTO Chief of Market Intelligence and Promotion, Mr Augusto Huéscar.

The “International Forum: The role of Information Technology in Fostering Tourism Development”, supported by Microsoft, the Spanish Government and the World Tourism Organization was held on the same day. Mr Frangialli and Mr Jose Antonio Ferreiro, Chief Executive Officer of the WTO Business Council both participated in this conference.

Mr Frangialli will also be among the speakers at the opening ceremony of FITUR on 29 January, which will be held under the auspices of H. R. M. King Juan Carlos I of Spain.

A delegation of the Russian Federation, headed by Mr. V.I. Strzhalkovskiy, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, will combine their presence at FITUR with a meeting with Mr Frangialli. As the Russian Federation is now the chairman of WTO Executive Council, the delegation will discuss various activities of the Council and cooperation between WTO and Russia in 2003.

In addition, various WTO events will take place at FITUR at the Convention Centre Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I in Madrid.

For additional information, contact:
Rok V. Klancnik, Alla Peressolova
Press and Communications Section
Tel. (+34) 91-567-8191, Tel. (+34) 91-567-8193,
Fax: (+34) 91-567-8218
[email protected]
www.world-tourism.org