UNWTO highlights importance of rural tourism development
By Leman Mammadova
Baku hosted the 110th session of the Executive Committee of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on June 17-18. The event was attended by the official delegates from 37 countries and 5 international organizations.
UNWTO is seriously working on the issue of increasing the tourist flow to Azerbaijan, said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the organization, at a press conference on June 18.
In his words, UNWTO strives to demonstrate the tourist attractiveness of Azerbaijan.
Pololikashvili stressed that at present, China, India, and Persian Gulf countries are considered as priority areas for attracting tourists to Azerbaijan.
“In this direction, we are actively working with both the Chinese government and the airlines of this country. Azerbaijan, which is an active member of the UNWTO Executive Committee, has an attractive infrastructure, airports, nature. However, with the increase in tourist traffic, it is necessary to improve the quality of tourist services,” he said.
The secretary general added that in this regard, it is necessary to open special centers for the training of professional staff, especially among young people.
He further stressed that UNWTO will declare the next year as a year of rural tourism.
“In this regard, it is necessary to take into account that Azerbaijan is not limited only to Baku. These are, of course, the regions in which it is necessary to invest, promote rural tourism, open new jobs,” Pololikashvili noted.
He also underlined that Azerbaijan uses profits from energy production for the development of tourism.
Pololikashvili further expressed hope for the opening of a UNWTO center in Azerbaijan soon.
“During the year we plan to open more than 10 centers in various countries. It is possible that we will open 20-30 centers, as various countries express extreme interest in cooperation with our organization. We would like to hope that such a UNWTO center will appear soon in Azerbaijan,” he said.
Pololikashvili also praised the participation of the U.S. delegation in the 110th session of the UNWTO Executive Committee in Baku.
“The U.S. left UNWTO 23 years ago. The more valuable is their joining the work of our organization in Baku. The partnership with such a large state as the U.S. is a great achievement for us,” he stressed.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialized intergovernmental agency of the UN system, uniting 158 member countries. UNWTO acts on the basis of the Charter and the Financial Rules attached to it, which entered into force on January 2, 1975.
Being a leading international organization in the field of tourism and travel, the World Tourism Organization is engaged in the development of sustainable and accessible tourism.
Azerbaijan was elected a full member of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) in September 2001. This allowed the country to have the right to vote in the WTO General Assembly, to participate in all the activities of this organization and, by adopting the experience of advanced countries in the field of tourism, integrate into the world family of the tourism community.
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Leman Mammadova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888
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