UNWTO Taleb Rifai calls emergency meeting at General Assembly
It has been a tough week for World Tourism and the challenges are still developing. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization will take an opportunity when welcoming more than 1000 top tourism officials to Chengdu, China next week and called for an emergency meeting to discuss the impact of recent Hurricanes to the travel and tourism industry and the future of tourism Caribbean member nations.
Rifai took an excellent opportunity and shined as a very much respected leader of world tourism and showed immediate action. He is doing what leaders in his position are expected to do – he leads.
Encouraged by the Head of the ST-EP Foundation, Ambassador Dho Young-shim from Korea (former UNWTO Secretary General Candiate), who brought up an initiative to reach out to UNWTO members in the Caribbean in response to Hurricane Irma, today UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai who is believed to be in Korea issued this statement:
“UNWTO is deeply saddened by the tragic effects brought by Hurricane Irma across the Caribbean
“On behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims and stands ready to support the affected countries, where tourism is a pillar in the lives of so many people, to recover as swiftly as possible,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
“UNWTO will work alongside the affected countries in all the necessary measures to support them and trust that as in previous occasion the people of these countries will show their resilience as life gets back to normal and they open for business” added Mr Rifai.
“UNWTO is conveying a special meeting to address the impacts of Hurricane Irma and the way forward on the occasion of its 22nd General Assembly taking place next week in China. The Assembly is expected to gather over 1000 participants from around the world.”
French UNWTO Delegate: More UNWTO Election News
Looking back to May 12, 2017, Madrid, the day the UNWTO Elections for the new Secretary-General took place. At the same time, there was a widely discussed national election in France. The French were busy, at home, and apparently, abroad in Madrid.
Highly placed sources have confirmed to eTN, the French voting delegate, Mr. Michel Durrieu, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development France, Head of Tourism Unit who was accused by the Zimbabwe Minister Mzembi, he had cut short any discussion or debate before delegates voted for their nominee Zurab Pololikashvili, has since been removed from his position by the French government.
Insiders are claiming Mr. Durrieu was promised a deputy post within the Secretariat, by the Georgia candidate, Zurab Pololikashvili, IF he is elected.
Regardless, and according to sources close to the UNWTO Secretariat, Mr. Durrieu is currently listed to represent France at the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu. wanting to conclude “unfinished business”.
Sure, the French Delegate knows ethics and decorum are valued and expected. Of course, any position, either as a deputy, or most of all, global tourism’s top post, should not be bartered for.
Located in Northern Georgia across the valley from the iconic 5,047m Kazbegi Mountain in Stephantsminda, the original Rooms Hotel was opened in 2012 in a former Soviet center for regional tourism packages and expeditions. Today, the Hotel Kazbegi, together with its restaurant and bar, make up the epicenter for the region’s tourism offering modern and stylish accommodations and distinctive design concept that embraces the historic legacy of the building and destination’s past.
On April 7, one month before the UNWTO election, Michel Durieu was a guest at this stunning 5-star Georgian resort. In this picture, Michel Durieu – Head of the Tourism unit in France is seen at the Hotel Kazbegi in Georgia and signed the hotel’s guest book The visit was documented on the hotel’s Facebook page .
The hotel GM proudly posted: Michel Durieu – Head of Tourism unit in France was visiting us yesterday! “
This was a wonderful and fulfilling experience. This place is full of love and care”
