DUSHANBE, October 14, 2009, Asia-Plus — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Taleb Rifai is expected to pay visit to Tajikistan in March 2010.
According to Lochin Fayzulloyev, the deputy head of the Committee for Youth, Sports and Tourism Affairs, Mr. Rifai remarked that during the 18th session of the UNWTO General Assembly that was held in Astana, Kazakhstan on October 2-10 this year.
“During his stay in Tajikistan, Dr. Rifai will attend celebrations to mark the Navrouz holiday (March 21),” Fayzulloyev said.
Fayzulloyev headed Tajik delegation that participated at the 18th session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Astana. The session brought together around 360 delegates representing 112 countries to discuss how the travel and tourism sector can face the current economic downturn while staying on track with the twin challenges of climate change response and poverty alleviation. The session also discussed the UNWTO Roadmap for Recovery that calls on world leaders to place tourism and travel at the core of stimulus packages and the transformation to the Green Economy.
The UNWTO, based in Madrid, Spain is the United Nations agency dealing with questions relating to tourism. The World Tourism Organization is a significant global body, concerned with the collection and collation of statistical information on international tourism. This organization represents public sector tourism bodies, from most countries in the world and the publication of its data makes possible comparisons of the flow and growth of tourism on a global scale.
The UNWTO membership includes 156 countries, seven territories and some 300 affiliate members, representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.
