UNWTO Supports the Philippines’ Tourism Sector Despite Recent Troubles
By Dean M. Bernardo, eTN Manila.
Manila, the Philippines (21 June 2017) – UNWTO – Marcio Favilla, the Executive Director for Operational Programmes and Institutional Relations of the United Nations World Tourism Organization praised and thanked the Philippine government for hosting the three-day “International Conference on Tourism Statistics for Sustainable Development.”
During a press conference at the Marriot Hotel in Pasay City, Mr. Favilla highlighted the beauty and potentials of the Philippines, an example of a prime destination for travellers.
He added that the conference, where nearly sixty delegate countries – tourism and statistics ministers all over the world was sending a “political message” to everyone of their support for the Philippines.
The country is currently facing an armed siege in its southern island of Mindanao from a group claiming allegiance to the extremist group Da’esh or ‘Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’ or ISIS. The group continues to sow terror in the City of Marawi, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of soldiers, civilians and extremists.
UNWTO Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific region Xu Jing added that holding the conference in the Philippines is a demonstration of support to the country and for other nations facing similar conflicts.
Favilla added that nations facing domestic troubles should not be isolated. He called these actions as a “double whammy” – where countries are hurt by domestic problems and hurt again by travel advisories against visiting the troubled country.
Statistical Data on Tourism Leads to “Capacity Building”
By Dean M. Bernardo, eTN Manila.
Manila, the Philippines (21 June 2017) – UNWTO – Two days prior to the formal holding of the on-going United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) “International Conference on Tourism Statistics for Sustainable Development,” countries with technical know-how on tourism data generation where in Manila for “capacity building.”
UNWTO statistician John Kesster said the group with delegates from Southeast Asia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Belarus and Turkey discussed the “economic impact of tourism that’s compatible with the national system of accounts, to enable governments to measure tourism like any economic indicator.”
Kesster said delegates from different countries shared heir experiences including travel practitioners who shared their own experience. He adds that there were a number of varying types of tables on tourism that needs to be standardized, in a meaningful way.
He also stated that “developing standards for tourism is continuously evolving.” The group aims to develop a framework for very simple standards of measurements, and in time “improve and elaborate.”
He cited the ever changing activities in tourism as reasons for evolving metrics such as; effects of ride hailing phone apps like Uber in the metrics.
Kestter said, “We’ve never had that kind of activity ten years ago but now, we need to consider including that in assessing tourism activities as well.”
He also said “the challenge for statisticians nowadays is trying to keep up with the ever-changing innovations, try to create credible figures as possible.”
Measuring Tourism Data Makes Good Planning
By Dean M. Bernardo, eTN Manila.
Manila – The 6th United Nations World Tourism International Conference on Tourism Statistics opened Wednesday morning in the Philippine capital with thousands of delegates from around the world in attendance.
The three-day conference aims to determine and achieve a global approach in fulfilling the “Sustainable Development Goals” of all member countries.
Philippine Tourism Minister Wanda T. Tulfo led the welcoming of delegates at the opening ceremonies at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
UNTWO Secretary General Taleb Rifal opened the conference and highlighted the recent rise of violence in different parts of the world and the risk it brings to the public and its effect on tourism.
Rifal praised the Philippines for its resiliency and its continuing efforts in bringing forward sustainable development in its tourism sector. Rifal added that the Philippines is a beautiful country with beautiful people with a smile, generous to give.
Rifal said in his speech that the violence should stop and adds, “There should be no hate. How can one hate someone who shared is home, his food to anyone visiting.”
Meanwhile, Paul Leholla of the UN Statistical Commission raised the importance of statistics in making public the truth in the era of fake news. He said that measuring tourism performance will bring better planning, better services in communities.
Philippine Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III also assured delegates that the Philippines continue to be a safe country despite the recent declaration of Martial Law in the southern island of Mindanao.
The Philippine is still fighting an insurgency led by militants who sieged the Islamic city of Marawi on May 23rd, attempting to establish a caliphate loyal to Islamic State of Iraq & Syria.
Pimentel stressed that the Duterte administration allows nearly US$23 Billion for the Philippine tourism industry under the “Build, Build, Build” program in the last 5 years of the current government.
UNWTO Taleb Rifai: What is spend in a country stays in the country
By Dean Bernardo, eTN Manila.
Measuring Sustainable Tourism is simple according to UNWTO Secretary-General Dr. Taleb Rifai: What is spend in a country stays in the country.
2017 is the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017. The Government of the Philippines and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are currently in Manila, Philippines. This Wednesday morning the opening of the 6th International Conference on Tourism Statistics is taking place at the New Port Performing Arts Theater.
Attending are
H.E. Mrs. Wanda Tulfo-Teo, Secretary, Department of Tourism, Philippines
Mr. Salvador C. Medialdea, Executive Secretary, Office of the President, Philippines
Mr. Pali J. Lehohla, special envoy of the United Nations Statistical Commission and Statistician-General, Statistics South Africa
Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, UNWTO
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Senate of the Philippines
The UNWTO Secretary-General Dr. Taleb Rifai said: “I feel good here in the Philippines, I respect this place. I have respect for cuisine the animals and the beauty of the islands.
I am worried about the condition of this world, and the trouble surrounding it. We are now all connected one global community. “
We are a tribe of travelers believing in the beauty of the world. Tourism is a human right. Tourism builds peace and understanding.”
“Tourism breaks barriers.”
He continues to say: “Tell the world to come to the Philippines … the Philippines is a wonderful place. You can never have hate for people sharing their home their food. Tourism generates work.
We have to step up tourism for sustainability and move forward to a green economy. We cannot afford waste despite political issues.” Dr. Taleb has a simple solution: “What is spent in a country stays in the country.” if we can not measure we can not manage
If we can not measure we can not manage the negative impact.
Impact-Travel: A sustainability template
Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) and Co-founder of SUNx writes from Manila in the Philippines at the 6th UNWTO International Conference on Tourism Statistics: Measuring Sustainable Tourism.
“It feels good to be back in Manila for more fun in the Philippines. Not the usual description of a UN Statistics Conference.
“Even worse, I want to make two what I suspect are contrarian points about the proposed declaration. And then offer a suggestion to strengthen it.
“First, the past is prologue. As a sector, we are not going far enough fast enough. This declaration needs to be half as wordy; twice as much implementation; four times as fast. And some real multi-stakeholder checks on delivery.
“Why? Because the scale and speed of change and connectivity is accelerating, and if we don’t move at the same pace, the decisions will be made outside our sector – by environmental and finance institutions, by business coalitions, by local authorities, by states and regions, and by very smart cities.
“This is not business as usual. Climate change is existential… repeat, existential.
“Second, we need to expand our vision of measurement of sustainable tourism. We are moving into a new age of SDG and Paris targets.
“Linked environment and tourism satellite accounts are a good step. But it’s a first step that should have been taken more than a decade ago – when some of us were actively calling for it.
“I repeat, we need to cover the green part of the equation much faster.
“And it needs to have more emphasis on measuring climate resilience. If we don’t fix climate change: it will fix us.
“How to do this will take as much of a paradigm shift in the use of statistics as in security, product, or technology adoption.
“We have to cut through the admirable but dangerous, shifting clutter of 17 SDGs, 169 targets, and 304 indicators with hundreds of national and supra-national groups with their version of the transformation roadmap for the future of everything.
“And more so as the real consequences of tourism – good and bad – are ultimately felt at the local level. The money, the jobs, the infrastructure, as well as the strain on resources and cultural integrity.
“The global figures are great for policy declarations and lobbying, and rich companies and consultancies. Implementation is almost always local and SME focused.
“We have to act from the bottom up simultaneously with the top down.
“We need deadlines for change, and we need to engage all key stakeholders in the process by 2020.
“Clearly, we need to move in the directions set out in the resolution – recognizing, observing, linking, intensifying, and expanding collaboratively.
“What I believe is missing is a template for a multiyear refocused directional shift that could be useful to countries, communities, companies, and consumers points that anyone, anywhere can easily check, seeking sustainability in tourism and travel activities.
“Our idea at SUNx for such a template is called Impact-Travel. It has three such points of focus.
“1. Are the Impacts measured and managed coherently: the good and the bad ones?
“2. Does it have Green Growth at the core: low carbon, inclusionary, hyper-connected, bio-diversity sensitive & resource efficient?
“3. Is it future focused – reflecting Paris 2050 targets, the SDGs, and the World Economic Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution – the best tracker of new directions we have found?
“Simple questions that give a clear sense of direction for providers and consumers alike, as to where we have to go NOW, to be where we have to be in 2050.
“As Dr. Johnson said, ‘Nothing so concentrates the mind, as the prospect of being hanged in the morning.’ And make no mistake, existential means being hanged in the morning.”
UNWTO condemns US Administration decision to restore travel restrictions with Cuba
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) expresses its firm resentment over the recently-announced decision by the United States Administration to restore travel restrictions with Cuba.
“This represents a step backwards and a strong attack on the freedom of travel,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.
“This decision will have limited impact on Cuba’s tourism development, yet it will substantially affect the US economy and American jobs. Many US companies have started to invest in and do business with Cuba in view of the immense potential of Cuban tourism, which other countries will surely continue to benefit from,“ he added.
Tourism is one of the key economic sectors in Cuba, supporting many livelihoods and drawing significant interest from foreign investors, which will surely continue being the case.
In 2016 Cuba received over 4 million international visitors, a growth of over 1 million in only five years.
UNWTO leaders off to Manila: Measuring Sustainable Tourism
UNWTO and WTTC Tourism leaders are in the process of leaving for Manila, Philippines.
Sustainable tourism is increasingly relevant in national agendas for its role in fostering economic growth, social inclusiveness and the protection of cultural and natural assets. This is now also recognized at the highest international level with the UN General Assembly having adopted several resolutions acknowledging the role of tourism in sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
All this calls for evidence to support policy and track progress. Therefore, a statistical framework is being developed—one that integrates the various dimensions of sustainable tourism (economic, environmental and social) and across relevant spatial levels (global, national and subnational).
The Manila Conference will be a landmark opportunity to discuss methodological advances, explore emerging issues and learn from pioneering country experiences in this area of measurement. UNWTO recognizes that, apart from being a technical exercise, the development and implementation of a statistical framework for sustainable tourism is very much a strategic endeavour that will require stakeholder engagement, inter-institutional coordination and political leadership.
In the context of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017, the Conference will gather Ministers, Statistical Chiefs, Policy experts and statisticians dedicated to sustainable development, environment and tourism.
Official website of this conference, where online registration and updated information are available, is at www.mstconference.org
Philippine-based reporter Dean Bernardo will cover the event for eTN and WorldTourismWire, and is available to conduct interviews and listen to your feedback.
WTTC: Trump statement to “enforce the ban on tourism” a retrograde step for Cubans
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is disappointed to hear of President Trump’s plan to reverse key elements of the trading relationship between the US and Cuba, as outlined by President Obama in 2014 and by his visit last year.
“The Cuban people are directly benefiting from increased business and leisure travel to Havana. Travel brings income to the people who work in our industry. President Trump’s statements indicate that the Cuban people, rather than the government will be hit by this policy change,” said David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC.
“Airlines, cruise lines and hotel groups have all made significant investments and plans to create jobs and to grow the industry in Cuba, based on clear direction from the previous administration. Our sector needs consistency from governments and stability of policy. This is a clear and unwelcome reversal.”
Cuba is already a very popular tourist destination, currently being the second most visited Caribbean island. Canadians and Europeans have steadily increased their numbers, with direct flights into various beach locations on the island. Visitor exports, which is money spent by foreign travelers in the country, totaled US$2.8 billion in 2016. This is 19.2% of total exports – significantly above the global average of 6.6%. Our sector contributed almost $9 billion to the Cuban economy last year – or just under 10% of the country’s GDP – and we supported almost 500,000 jobs, which is about one in eleven of all jobs.
“There is latent demand from the US for people to visit Cuba to explore its history and culture, and it would be a retrograde step to revert once again to Americans traveling in groups. Over the last months the uptake in travel from the US to Cuba has not been as high as expected, primarily as hotel capacity has not kept up with the demand, leading to some of the US airlines cutting back capacity to the island. President Trump’s announcement will put further pressure on the airlines,” Scowsill continued.
Scowsill concluded: “There is plenty more scope to grow the travel sector in Cuba. The country is not reliant on the US market for further tourism growth, but it is American businesses and leisure consumers that will suffer from this proposed move.
“US citizens have been traveling as individuals rather than on group tours. Rolling back this policy and allowing US citizens to only enter the country on organized tours, means that less tourism dollars will find their way to the Cuban people. Tourism is a force for good, it bridges gaps between cultures and empowers local people by creating jobs and income streams. We would urge the Trump administration to support the Cuban people.”
UNWTO members: Georgia nominee unqualified to honorably lead UNWTO?
It’s no longer just about the man who started it or the country he represents, it’s slowly becoming a global movement in the travel and tourism industry. Even though UNWTO told eTN there are no issues, many think UNWTO election irregularities and manipulation generated escalating concern for the global travel and tourism industry.
Even the minister from Zimbabwe who started this movement admitted it’s not about him at this point: “All Candidates, with the exception of the elected nominee, are highly qualified to honorably lead the UNWTO.”
The Hon. Dr. Walter Mzembi from Zimbabwe took his gloves off this week issued an open letter and a detailed list of issues (Position Paper) related to the what he called flawed recent United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)Secretary-General election in Madrid.
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.
Taking the protest in his hand Mzembi is doing what he does best, demonstrating leadership in a climate of apprehension by speaking thoughtfully about the recent UNWTO election travesty.
eTN has received an enormous response from readers, many top travel and tourism industry leaders. Every single response was supportive of the initiative started by Dr. Mzembi, but many weren’t ready to go public yet.
Some did go public, however, among them Louis D’Amore, founder, and president of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism. He told eTN publisher Juergen Steinmetz: “You are providing a great service to the tourism industry and most of all, to the UN system itself.”
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.
eTN received a substantial number of calls from delegates including tourism ministers from various parts of the world. eTN communicated with candidates for the UNWTO Secretary General post, that were competing with Walter Mzembi in Madrid at the Executive Council election.
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.”
One very respected Minister of Tourism specifically outlined his wish to have this issue dealt with prior to the General Assembly in Chengdu to avoid further embarrassment to the UNWTO and our industry. He also stressed he would support voting for one of the Secretary-General Candidates not confirmed in Madrid.
Regardless of the outcome, it took a lot of courage and leadership for Dr. Mzembi to step forward. As the Candidate with the second largest number of votes, Mr. Mzembi has demonstrated a consistency over the entire election process in supporting UNWTO, attending events and being intelligently forthright. He appears to be well aware of his so-called weakest point, the perception of the country he represents.
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.
Mr. Mzembi indicated all Candidates, with the exception of the elected nominee, are highly qualified to honorably lead the UNWTO. This is completely in concert with the feedback eTN has been receiving from insiders that have yet to publicly voice their opinion and support of not simply ratifying the elected nominee.
Where does the UNWTO go from here? A road map with solutions was issued this week by the Candidate from Zimbabwe, who simply wishes to see an authentic result at the General Assembly election in September.
As it stands world tourism is lost, mired in backroom dealings that has resulted in the disingenuous nomination of the Candidate Elect.
Correcting the miscreant Madrid result is still possible if industry leaders are courageous enough when the “timing is right”. There will never be a better time than September in Chengdu, China.
The gloves are off! The Hon. Dr. Walter Mzembi takes on UNWTO Election
Breaking the silence is the new reality for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with the search for a new Secretary General. The recent May 12, recommendation by the UNWTO Executive Council for the new Secretary-General, was not without issues, to put it mildly.
As has been reported by WorldTourismWire for several months, and was rebutted yesterday by UNWTO, Minister Mzembi echoed concerns reported by this publication.
WorldTourismWire is now sharing Minster Dr. Walter Mzembi’s open letter that was sent to all UNWTO members earlier today. This will be followed by his positioning papers filed and will open the floor for more discussion and no doubt more controversy, leading to the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu, China in September.
The options for the UNWTO General Assembly in September are rather simple, yet complex.
The rules and procedures do not clearly say what will happen if the suggested candidate was not confirmed. This situation has the potential to plunge the UNWTO into an indeterminate future or keep a Secretariat past its sale by date at the helm clearly the opposite of what Membership prefers judging by the number of external candidates who offered themselves as Candidates.
Worldtourismwire will continue reporting on this important story and invites thoughts, feedback, comments or observations.
Transcript of The open letter
by Dr. Mzembi to fellow UNWTO member ministers and representatives:
Excellencies
Ministers of Tourism, Heads of Delegations and UNWTO Secretariat
BREAKING THE SILENCE: SAVING THE UNWTO FOR THE GOOD OF GLOBAL TOURISM:
I write proudly as a global citizen who did not choose where to be born nor had a choice of race or colour, but one who understood that we are all created in God’s image and are 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 these most recent elections for the next Secretary General for our sector (2018-21).
However, I am perturbed by Dr Rifai’s comments on the criteria for choosing the new Secretary General that he shared with the world at the closing Press Conference on the 12th of May 2017 at the Melia Castilla in Madrid:
1. the character, vision and knowledge of a candidate, and
2. the country this candidate represents and its standing in the world.
I need to state upfront that both criteria never came under consideration at any point during the Executive Council’s deliberations and it would be interesting to know who scores other countries’ standing and what criteria they use. This aspect was also not a requirement when the position was advertised. Country reputation is not a criterion for Membership to the UNWTO, therefore, the matter relating to the candidate and the standing of the country he represents should not arise and cannot be fed or entertained at the level of a Secretary General whom we all look up to for magnanimity and protection.
I stood out in contrast to other Candidates only because I ran a sustained, concerted, thoughtful, visionary and dignified Campaign, initially dismissed by sceptical elements including from my own country, but later taken very seriously by watchers after my endorsement by the African Union and an aggressive global outreach of my candidature and what it stood for. I was courageously for “change” – probably intimidating – and I wish stakeholders
could study carefully my policy offerings, which together with those of other Candidates were ignored and never discussed by the “restricted and private meeting” of the Executive Council as required by the rules of procedure on electing a Secretary General. I picked some very good policy nuggets from other Candidates which I think need to be carried through and should have been discussed and noted. Mr Jaime Alberto Cabal Sanclemente from Colombia impressed me, so did Ambassador Dho and Carlos Vogeler.
If we take a closer look, this procedure at Executive Council breaks the record as the first job search or call where responses and candidates profiles were not scrutinised by an interviewing panel who instead carried out a vote without any due diligence on the Candidates! This only happens in a world of predetermined outcomes where public adverts and the inclusion of other Candidates is meant only to give a semblance of credibility and legitimacy to the outcome and process. To his credit Dr Rifai encouraged all of us into the race for the world’s top job in global tourism, however, criteria, shortlisting, elimination and assessment procedures must bring the best candidate to the position and he should remain non – conflicted until ratification by the GA.
Member States have made me aware of misinformation currently being spread by the Secretariat regarding my standing post 12 May 2017 and I wish to set the record straight as follows:
1. The General Assembly is convening to ratify the Executive Council recommendation of Mr Zurab Pololikashvili of Georgia as the SG elect. He emerged as the winner with the highest ballots 18, beating the run off candidature of Dr Walter Mzembi who polled 15 votes.
2. The ratification is by way of a Yes or No vote to the single recommendation of Mr Zurab Pololikashvili and it is not by acclamation.
3. Upon the request of one Country, and one Country only, a secret ballot voting can take place over the ratification of the above-mentioned recommended candidate. No other names are envisaged in such a process, beyond the EC nominee.
4. Mr Zurab Pololikashvili needs 2/3 of the voting members of GA in order to be confirmed and officially nominated as Secretary General. The rules of procedure are silent to what happens in case Mr Zurab Pololikashvili fails to secure or garner 2/3 majority by vote of the sitting members of the General Assembly.
5. An agenda item on the “Conduct of the Executive Council Elections” and “Contingencies” in the event of Mr Zurab Pololikashvili failing to secure the endorsement of the General Assembly is imperative. Rule 5 on the Rules of the General Assembly clears that any Member can propose an agenda item. This should come before the now circulated agenda item no 9. If Members are dissatisfied with the “conduct or processes”, they can propose to nullify the result and this requires a simple majority – Rule 38 (1) – of sitting members to pass it, in which case agenda item 9 would be dispensed with. This proposal can be raised by any Member State.
6. The options available to Member States will be the subject of discussion of the General Assembly under the above item. The EC proposes one nominee only and I am prompted to clarify this after discovering that Member States are being misled and manipulated by the Secretariat in its oral engagements, suggesting that “failure to vote in Mr Zurab Pololikashvili will automatically hand over the UNWTO to Dr Walter Mzembi, subsequently going against the wishes of the United Nations which does not approve of Zimbabwe taking over the Agency”. Apart from being mischievous and misleading, and of course a blatant lie on the standing of the UN on the matter, this approach exposes a serious conflict of interest and abuse of incumbency.
7. I ran as a Candidate for Scretary General post encouraged by Dr. Rifai and I know for sure that this applies to the other Candidates who also feel much betrayed by an opaque process that brought a “stranger in the house”. Nothing personal against Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, the sector hardly knows him nor his attributes except Mr Rifai who has ” known him for a very long time”, although he officially presented his credentials to the UNWTO in August 2016. The better qualified Candidates eliminated each other in a typical Machiavellian style, leaving an unenviable outcome to prevail.
Finally, am sure that by the time you are reading this, you are already saturated with innuendos and falsehoods around my candidature ‘underestimated’ as quipped to me by Dr Rifai, but my only crime being a near upset of a predetermined outcome to push the Georgian candidate into office. However, it’s no longer the responsible thing to keep the silence.
To this day, I remain “enemy number one” of this designed outcome!
But this is not anymore about one person. It’s about the sake and future of global tourism and the reputation and legacy of our beloved Secretary General. Ms Anita Mendirata’s email (who works in Dr Rifai’s office) of 13th of May 2017 circulated to a select few is instructive and she implores her circulation list to “Please share this request with others you know he is close to who may be able to channel love & strength his way”. I attach the email for your deeper understanding and coincidence of thoughts with what I am sharing.
Overall, I strongly believe that UNWTO is doomed, if we fail to:
1. Observe the very Ethics, whose Convention framework is “Provisional Agenda no 4” of our GA. God forbid the hypocrisy.
2. Promote merit, knowledge, experience and competence as the virtues of a future SG and other recruitments. We are all in deep agreement that, in a civilised world, bigotry has no place, especially in our sector, which on the other hand needs to be inclusive and peaceful.
3. Facilitate a robust and frank discussion on “the UNWTO we want” and discuss openly the shortlisted candidates and what went amiss with the Executive Council process that emerged with Mr. Zurab Pololikashvii from Georgia as the Candidate nominated to be ratified by the General Assembly in Chengndu, China in September 2017.
I propose this discussion as a separate agenda item before “ratification“. Any Member State can propose this 30 days before the GA. Step 2 of the 5th of May aide memoire was skipped deliberately by the Executive Council and the “Why?” should be reviewed by the General Assembly. Candidates were not discussed nor assessed by the EC! So what was the voting truly based on?
4. Correctly interpret the rules of procedure and do not allow perversions and manipulation of facts and characters whenever the Secretariat convenes meetings or has private audiences with Member States, who are made to believe that they are receiving “privileged information” from an SG we should all trust.
5. Stop the blatant conflict of interest by the Secretariat which is handholding Mr Zurab Pololikashvili into UNWTO statutory business before confirmation by the General Assembly. This is not the handover period to takeover, nor the transition period: handover technically starts after 16th September, subject to confirmation.
The choice is ours. Whether to live with this mistake and error of judgment or to correct it during the upcoming GA for the good of global tourism.
It takes courage, integrity, and transparency to bring our respected Secretary General to order and do the right thing for once: reasserting our voice and authority as shareholders to determine the UNWTO leadership we want without fear, undue influence and manipulation of facts and procedures.
We should turn up in our absolute numbers at the forthcoming General Assembly and arrive prepared and conversant with the Rules of Procedure of our General Assembly and UNWTO Statutes. All our diplomatic offices are very capable of explaining to us what we don’t understand without any external interpretation, even if proposed by the organization itself.
See you in Chengdu!
Hon Dr. Walter Mzembi (PhD), (Pr. Eng), FZwIE, MEIZ
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Republic of Zimbabwe
UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa Chairperson