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UNWTO to host annual ministers' summit at WTM
The second annual United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
Minsters' Summit will take place on Tuesday, November 11, at World
Travel Market (WTM) at ExCeL in London.
All eyes will be on the WTM in London as government ministers seek
to address the pressing challenges of responding to the economic
downturn and staying on course with the climate and poverty-reduction
agendas.
economic uncertainty
Faced with the increasing global economic uncertainty, the tourism
sector must seriously examine how these reservations will affect
the industry while making sure to not lose sight of its commitment
to provide solutions to global challenges, particularly global warming,
sustainable development and poverty.
Francesco Frangialli, UNWTO Secretary General said "A new
and more demanding economic scenario has emerged in recent times.
While factoring this into the international tourism agenda, we must
not lose sight of the unaffected challenges of climate-change response
and the fight against poverty. The long-term starts today and the
tourism sector must act now and face up to the economic uncertainty
with all of its constructive potential. We are proud to count on
World Travel Market as a partner in this endeavour."
challenging times
Speaking about the ministers' summit, Fiona Jeffery, chairman of
World Travel Market, said, "We are moving into extremely challenging
times and it is important that strategically, we do not forget the
big picture and long-term goals while dealing in a very different
economic climate. The ministers' summit, part of WTM's ministerial
programme working with the UNWTO, aims to keep these long-term goals
at the forefront of our industry and provide a timely forum for
discussion, debate and leadership."
Ministers of tourism have been formally invited to participate
in this important international event with the objective of assisting
in deepening the debate on the economic downturn and its effects
on climate change and poverty-reduction agendas.
World Travel Market has established itself as the global fulcrum
of debate and discussion for the travel and tourism industry and
is a key reason why it is now the backdrop for the ministers' summit
on Tuesday, November 11.
The WTM ministers' summit forms part of World Travel Market's Ministers'
Programme, now in its fourth year and will confront and help to
resolve the threats and opportunities of the future.
travel professionals
More than 45,000 travel professionals, senior management and buyers
are expected to attend World Travel Market 2008 at ExCeL London,
representing every region, country and industry sector throughout
the world.
They come to conduct business, negotiate and agree contracts, network,
exchange views, share information and keep their finger on the ever
changing pulse of the public and private sectors.
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