Juergen Steinmetz

Opinion

President Obama, WTTC and African Tourism Board are giving Africa a major push for visibility

Written by Juergen Steinmetz, March 21, 2019

Africa Tourism is hot right now. Overlooked in the past, the tourism potential of the African continent is now becoming visible. The WTTC Summit in Seville with former US President Obama participating and the launch of the African Tourism Board in Capetown is a good mix for major visibility for the African travel and tourism industry. …

Opinion

Adios Spain for UNWTO?

Written by Juergen Steinmetz, January 10, 2019

According to media reports and eTN sources, UNWTO may be on its way to a new home in China or Georgia. UNWTO’s home has been in Madrid, Spain since 1974, and Spain has been enjoying a permanent seat in the UNWTO Executive Council as a host. A move planned for a new home within Madrid…

Opinion

How did UNWTO perform in 2018? The verdict is in!

Written by Juergen Steinmetz, December 19, 2018

Last week WorldTourismWire turned to readers to get input from UNWTO member countries, UNWTO affiliated members, and other tourism leaders about their take on the new UNWTO and the performance of the new Secretary General. eTN received 89 responses:4 gave the new leadership a thumbs up and a 4-5 star rating.3 had a neutral approach…

Opinion

Africa now has an African Tourism Board

Written by Juergen Steinmetz, November 7, 2018

On Monday at the World Travel Market in London, Africa was in the spotlight in the afternoon with the launch of the newly-formed African Tourism Board. A new, multinational body to promote the travel and tourism sector in Africa was unveiled during World Travel Market in London. Created by the International Coalition of Tourism Partners,…

News

Governments and Investors Share Knowledge on Tourism Technology at UNWTO/WTM Ministers’ Summit

Written by Juergen Steinmetz,

The UNWTO/WTM Ministers’ Summit, held yesterday by World Travel Market and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), was well received by participants from government and the private sector for its more dynamic new format leading to more concrete takeaways around this year’s theme: Investment in Tourism Technology. This year, the UNWTO/WTM Ministers’ Summit held at World…

Opinion

Dr. Taleb Rifai invites to International Tourism and Investment Conference

Written by Juergen Steinmetz, October 22, 2018

Africa is on the mind of two events on the sideline of the upcoming World Travel Market in London next month. Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman of ITIC Advisory Board and Former Secretary-General, UNWTO invites to a special launch event of the International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC) and its Tourism Investment Platform. It will be…

Opinion

Battling Cancer and let down by World Tourism

Written by Juergen Steinmetz, October 19, 2018

What happened to Dr. Walter Mzembi, former minister of Tourism and Hospitality for Zimbabwe, and former candidate for UNWTO Secretary-General? Dr. Mzembi is currently getting medical treatment battling cancer in South Africa and is frustrated. He is trying to understand where the African tourism family is when one of its own is being persecuted? There are…

News

Candidates for the CTO Allied Board of Directors

Written by Juergen Steinmetz, September 17, 2018

The Caribbean Tourism Organization annual conference is coming up in Nassau, the Bahamas in two weeks. Elections for the allied CTO Board of Directors for the 2018-2020 will be on the agenda. Here are the candidates: DAVID BAHLMAN: Vice President, Tourism & Hospitality Division ADARA I have successfully driven hotel revenue as a Director of Hotel Sales…

News

African Tourism Board is calling to join its steering committee

Written by Juergen Steinmetz, September 11, 2018

Where Africa becomes one destination. This is the tagline for the newly found African Tourism Board (ATB), a public priate partnership initiative by the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) The African Tourism Board currently has 168 members in the following countries: Botswana Cameroon China Comoros Congo (Rep of the) Côte d’Ivoire Egypt Ethiopia Germany…