UNWTO members: Georgia nominee unqualified to honorably lead UNWTO?
Recommended and now the nominee for the highest post in Tourism is Ambassador Zurab Pololikashvil from Georgia. His nomination has been in the spotlight and is viewed in critical terms by many.
Standing up against the nomination is the Hon. Minister Dr. Walter Mzembi. Importantly, Mr. Mzembi presented not only his case demonstrating flaws in the recent election, but he showed remedial solutions for the UNWTO General Assembly confirmation vote.
The UNWTO General Assembly (GA) will take place September 11-16, 2017 in Chengdu, China. The nominee from Georgia will need 2/3 of the attending member countries to confirm the recommendation by the Executive Council (EC). Many say it may be the first time in the history of UNWTO, the GA may not confirm a candidate recommended by the EC.
Sharron Parris –Chamber, Tourism Consultant and Media specialist from Jamaica wrote “without prejudice.”
As a Tourism business entity and award-winning media specialist in Jamaica, I would like to say the following:
1. The UNWTO’s image is tarnished and a tarnished brand cannot lead the world in honest and open Sustainable Tourism Practices.In order to change this, the UNWTO must lift the shroud of misconduct and irregularities by incumbent Taleb Rafai and UNWTO Secretariat in the recent election process.Secondly, new elections should be called and Mr. Walter Mzembi, MP should have his position paper read or circulated to Council Members, if election rules do not object. The election process should not be rushed and should follow normal procedures.Thirdly, new observers, not previously involved should be allowed to participate; they should be unbiased.Fourthly, no phones should be allowed and neither outside interferences.In conclusion, a credible world tourism organization should model strong unbiased leadership, as well as having these virtues inclusionary practices, multicultural, honesty, non-judgmental principles and integrity.Failing to address the irregularities and departure of the normal election rules as outlined by candidate Mr Mzembi, the UNWTO would forever lose my vote and respect.I would boycott the UNWTO presence in Jamaica in November 2017 and publicly ask others to do the same if these called for changes are not honored.
The general theme of their responses was common: “Thank you for eTN’s diligence in reporting and following this important story. I cannot at this time be making a public statement, however, my support will be made with my vote at the UNWTO General Assembly. I am watching the situation and may speak out when the time is best.”
This was outlined in his open letter. Mzembi stated: “I write proudly as a global citizen who did not choose where to be born nor had a choice of race or color, but one who understood that we are all created in Gods image and therefore equal before his Authority. I, therefore, don’t suffer any complexes nor am I intimidated by bigotry, otherwise, I wouldn’t have been a Candidate in the most recent election, noted Mzembi.