Todays UNWTO Star: Hon. Najib Balala from Kenya
The Minister of Tourism of Kenya, The Hon. Minister Najib Balala was elected today to chair the UNWTO executive council.
This election took place Friday during the UNWTO General Assembly in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Immediately after this important election the African Tourism Board chairman Cuthbert Ncube congratulated in saying: “The African Tourism Board congratulates the Kenyan minister, the Honorable Najib Balala t his election to lead the UNWTO Executive Council.
This is an important achievement not only for him but for Africa and its vibrant travel and tourism industry. It shows the importance and richness of Africa as a driver in the global travel and tourism industry.
We’re looking forward to working with Kenya as an important leader in improving our Communities through Sustainable Tourism.”
Congratulations are coming in from tourism leaders around the world.
Najib Balala was born on September 20, 1967 He studied Business Administration and International Urban Management and Leadership from the University of Toronto and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.
His impressive career includes:
- Prior to venturing into Public life, Najib Balala was in the private sector in the tourism business and eventually joined a family tea/coffee trade business.
- He was Secretary of The Swahili Cultural Centre from 1993–1996.
- Chairman – Coast Tourist Association between 1996–1999.
- His tenure as the Mayor of Mombasa 1998–1999 witnessed a rapid transformation of Mombasa into an economic hub and drastic change in the affairs at Town Hall by team leading an anti-corruption crusade.
- Chairman, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Mombasa Chapter) from 2000–2003.
- 27 Dec 2002 to 15 Dec 2007 : Member of Parliament for Mvita Constituency
- 7 Jan 2003 – 31 June 2004: Minister for Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services
- Jan – June 2003: Acting Minister for Labour
- 31 June – 21 Nov 2005: Minister for National Heritage
- 27 Dec 2007 to 15 Jan 2013 : Member of Parliament for Mvita Constituency
- 11 Nov 2011 to March 2012: Chairman of the UNWTO Executive Council
- 17 Apr 2008 to 26 March 2012: Minister for Tourism
- 15 May 2013 to June 2015 : Cabinet Secretary for Mining
- Currently since June 2015 : Cabinet Secretary for Tourism
The Executive Council’s task is to take all necessary measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of its own decisions and recommendations of the Assembly and report thereon to the Assembly.
The Council meets at least twice a year.
The Council consists of Full Members elected by the Assembly in the proportion of one Member for every five Full Members, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure laid down by the Assembly with a view to achieving fair and equitable geographical distribution.
UNWTO General Assembly celebrates the synergy of film and tourism
Running right through the 23rd General Assembly in St Petersburg has been the topic of film and tourism. At the start of the Assembly, Spanish entrepreneur and President of Atlético de Madrid football cub Enrique Cerezo joined fellow experts to discuss the film industry’s close links with tourism and its shared values and benefits, including bringing people together and creating jobs and opportunities for all. Building on this, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili will take part in Cineposium, a leading international event around the world of cinema and visual production taking place back to back to the General Assembly.
Celebrating the role of film in promoting destinations and sustainable tourism, the General Assembly also saw the awarding of the first prize for “Exceptional Stories of Sustainable Tourism” during the Video Competition of the General Assembly. Chile won the new award, with the jury of leading journalists and media professionals applauding their clear demonstration of how tourism can help preserve traditional ways of life. Awards for Outstanding Country Promotional Videos were presented to: Tunisia, Mexico, India, Greece and Portugal, and Egypt.
UNWTO SG right-hand man: Mussalim Afandiyev from Azerbaijan – the cleaner
This is a report on UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili right-hand man, Mr. Mssalim Afandiyev.
eTurboNews received an email from a person with an official position in the UNWTO system.
Since the time is critical to keep delegates attending the ongoing UNWTO General Assembly in Saint Petersburg informed, we decided to publish this letter in a raw, unedited format.
We checked with other sources and were able to confirm the general concerns raised in this letter is similar to concerns reported to us over time.
UNWTO has never responded to any eTN questions, emails or LinkedIn messages since Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili took office. We have little hope of a response this time but are trying, knowing UNWTO blocks our emails. There is literarily no information available on social media on Mussalim Afandiyev.
The information in this letter is the opinion of the writer of the letter and based on information the writer experienced. It’s not based on verified research by a reporter of this publication.
Letter to the editor
Dear friend,
Please allow me to keep my anonymity.
I have read your news about the information hidden by the secretary-general.
I am surprised because I haven’t read anything about the case of Mussalim Afandiyev.
Mr. Afandiyev is the right-hand man of the SG into UNWTO headquarters. He is the executor of the oppression measures of the secretary-general on the officials of the organization.
He started at UNWTO as a service contract on loan of his country. He earned 4000€ / month. In one year (2019) he went from a service contract position (external worker) in the Europe program to an official position (category P5), € 8000 / month. Now he is “Director of reforms”, it is a new position created to adapt to him. This is one of the highest position in the organization.
He is a closer friend of Ms.Tayen and Mr.Pololikashvili.
The hiring of Mr. Afandiyev was absolutely embarrassing.
He is a relative of senior politicians in the Azerbaijani government. Mr. Afandiyev harassed several officials, made disciplinary dismissals without any humanity or education.
Information UNWTO may be hiding at the General Assembly disclosed by an anonymous source
World Tourism Wire received a document from an anonymous source within the UNWTO. The UNWTO General Assembly in Saint Petersburg is about to start, many meetings on the sideline of the General Assembly are scheduled for Monday.
We feel this feedback may be important for delegates to see and develop your own judgment. Therefore we’re sharing the information with you and without comment, fact check or correction.
We will follow up on details moving forward but are sharing this with you as a raw unedited letter received.
Please email your feedback or additional information to [email protected]
Letter Received by sources inside UNWTO: (not edited)
UNWTO SECRETARY-GENERAL POLALIKASHVILI DISMANTLES UNWTO MISCONDUCTS AND HIDES INFORMATION FROM STATUTORY ORGANS.
WE CAN PROVIDE THE FACTS TO NECESSARY UNWTO ORGANS DURING MEETINGS IN RUSSIA
WHAT HASN’T CHANGED IN 2019?
THE TOP ADVISOR FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL STILL IS ANITA MENDIRATTA, THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS IS STILL MARCELO RISI, BUT MANY IN UNWTO HAS BEEN REPLACED AS THE FOLLOWING:
MYTH OF RECRUITMENT
UNWTO SECRETARY GENERAL POLALIKASHVILI TRADES STAFF POSITIONS FOR VOTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
THOSE POSITIONS ARE NOT ANNOUNCED INTERNALLY AND NOT PRESENTED TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION FOR WHICH THE FORMER SECRETARY-GENERAL WAS NOT INVITED AFTER WHAT HE DID FOR THIS ORGANIZATION AND HIS ABSENCE WILL CERTAINLY RAISE EYE BROWS OF MANY.
DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE: ITALY IN EXCHANGE OF VOTE, BEST CANDIDATE WAS NOT CHOSEN ACCORDING TO INTERNAL SOURCES
DIRECTOR FOR MIDDLE EAST: SAUDI ARABIA IN EXCHANGE OF VOTE, BEST CANDIDATE WAS NOT CHOSEN ACCORDING TO INTERNAL SOURCES
DIRECTOR FOR STATISTICS: ARGENTINA AS PERSONAL FAVOR TO MINISTER SANTES PERSONAL FRIEND OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL. MINISTER SANTES BELIEVED TO BE THE NEXT DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL AFTER THE LATER LEFT IN JULY
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL CABAL LEFT THE TOP UN POSITION IN ONE YEAR BECAUSE OF MAJOR DISAGREEMENT AND DISAPPOINTMENT WITH SECRETARY-GENERAL’S LACK OF MANAGEMENT AND MISCONDUCTS
DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE LEFT RECENTLY BECAUSE OF MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE SECRETARY-GENERAL’S INTERNAL MANAGEMENT STYLE AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND IMMEDIATELY WAS HIRED BY WTTC BECAUSE OF HIS PROFESSIONALISM
UNWTO EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS PLAY NO ROLE IN AUTHORITARIAN MANAGEMENT STYLE OF THE UNWTO SECRETARY-GENERAL AND ARE NOT INVOLVED IN RULING THE ORGANIZATION.
ACCORDING TO OUR INTERNAL SOURCES AT THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM OF SPAIN UNWTO SECRETARY-GENERAL PRESSURING SPAIN TO FORFEIT THEIR RIGHT TO HOST EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN FAVOR OF HIS HOMELAND GEORGIA AGAINST UNWTO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECISION TO TAKE HIS FRIENDS TO TASTE GEORGIAN WINE AND CUISINE.
ANOTHER FRIEND OF SECRETARY-GENERAL ILLEGALLY GIVEN STAFF OF DIRECTOR OF AFFILIATED NETWORK LAST YEAR FRAMED AS ON JIU RECOMMENDATIONS IS DISMENTLING THE NETWORK BASED ON INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL TO HAVE THE ABSOLUTE POWER OVER 500 MEMBERS
CLOSED PERSONAL FRIEND FROM SOUTH AMERICA IN CHARGE OF INNOVATION AND INVESTMENTS RECEIVED P5 POSITION WITHOUT JUSTIFIED EXPERIENCE BASED ON PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP WITH TOP SPANISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IS ANNOUNCING SECRETARY-GENERAL’S PRIORITY IS NO MORE THAN EVENTS AND GIVING PROJECTS TO HER FRIENDS FROM SOUTH AMERICA AND EUROPE.
ACCORDING TO HER SOCIAL MEDIA SHE HEADED DELEGATION TO SAUDI ARABIA TO REACH AGREEMENT OF 10 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL’S PERSONAL PRIORITIES AT UNWTO OF 5 MILLION AND OTHER 5 MILLION FOR HIS OWN NETWORK OF BUSINESS CONTACTS TO SUPPORT SAUDI ARABIA IN INTERNATIONAL ARENA AFTER THE KNOWN KILLING CONDEMNED BY THE UNITED NATIONS.
MYTH TRAVEL REGULATIONS
TRAVEL REGULATION WAS UPDATED IN 2018
BUT WAS NOT ANNOUNCED TO PUBLIC
SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVELS TO OPEN HOTELS OF HIS PERSONAL FRIENDS AS ON OFFICIAL MISSION (SOURCE HIS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS FOR MEXICO, MARBELLA, IBIZA) IN RETURN TO FINANCIAL REMUNERATION
SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVELS WITH HIS CLOSED CIRCLE OF FRIENDS FROM THE CABINET TO TOP TOURISTIC DESTINATIONS SPENDING PUBLIC MONEY TO STAY IN EXPENSIVE HOTELS FOR GALA DINNERS RECEPTIONS LUNCH BREAKS FOR HIS FRIENDS AND CONTACTS
- Reference article from Uruguay click here
- Reference article from Ibiza click here
UNWTO SECRETARY-GENERAL AND NEW SPECIAL EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT MS TAYEN FROM PALESTINE DECIDE ON TRAVEL AND HOTELS OF STAFF SEPARATELY FROM UNWTO DELEGATION.
ACCORDING TO INTERNAL SOURCE HER POSITION AND APPOINTMENT WAS NOT ANNOUNCED TO STAFF. IN ONE YEAR A PROFESSIONAL YOUNG LADY MANAGED TO BE PROMOTED FROM TECHNICAL CATEGORY OF G5 TO P4 WITHOUT ANY PROFESSIONAL JUSTIFICATION BUT RATHER TO BE KNOWN WELL IN ART OF ……….
THE SAME WAY WAS CHIEF OF CABINET PROMOTED LAST YEAR WHO WAS REMOVED BY MS TAYEN IN OF MANIPULATION AFTER TRAVELLING ON PERSONAL BASES WITH THE SECRETARY GENERAL TO ARGENTINA, PARIS, DUBAI, COLOMBIA, USA AND LONDON. ALWAYS STAYING SEPARATE FROM ALL DELEGATION AS IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION’S ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOTELS.
BASED ON INTERNAL LIST SENT TO STAFF SHE WILL BE TRAVELLING TO MOSCOW AS THE ONLY STAFF ON PERSONAL BASES AND OTHERS FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL PURPOSES.
HER FAST TRACK CAREER AT UNWTO UNFORTUNATELY CAN NOT BE APPLIED TO ALL OTHER PROFESSIONALS WORKING WHO ARE DENIED PROMOTIONS AND SALARY RAISES.
FROM THE TEAM OF THE FORMER SECRETARY-GENERAL AND BEST FRIEND OF THE WIVE OF THE LATTER SHE MANAGED TO SURVIVE THE MANAGEMENT CHANGE AND MAKE A CAREER THAT WAS NOT MADE IN 10 YEARS.
IF PROFESSIONALISM IS ONLY CRITERIA OR SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT.
MS TAYEN HAS THE POWER OVER THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WHO DECIDES NOT TO TAKE OTHER DIRECTORS TO OFFICIAL MISSIONS AND UNWTO GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL TAKE PLACE WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORS ACCORDING TO THE LIST SENT TO STAFF RECENTLY
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S CHIEF OF CABINET SEND THE LIST WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION TO STAFF
TO BE NOW THE ULTIMATE POWER AT UNWTO AFTER THE SECRETARY-GENERAL , MS TAYEN BEYOND CHIEF OF CABINET MANIPULATED THE SECRETARY-GENERAL TO REMOVE ONCE STRONG MAN IN POWER AND HIS RIGHT HAND IN CHARGE OF FINANCE WHO IS BELIEVED TO DEPART THE ORGANIZATION DUE TO MAJOR DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AFTER HIS REQUALIFICATION MBA DEGREE AT ONE OF TOP UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD.
HUMAN RESOURCES AND ETHICS OFFICER ARE SILENT TO MISCONDUCT AND PROMOTIONS OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN EXCHANGE OF PROMOTIONS.
LEGAL COUNSEL AFTER RECEIVING HER ILLEGAL PROMOTION LAST YEAR IS SILENT TO MISCONDUCT.
MYTH REFORMS AND FINANCIAL DEFICIT
REFORMS DONE BY ONCE STRONG MAN AT UNWTO ARE NOT MORE THAN A MYTH TO FRAME EVERYTHING TO ATTRACT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ANNOUNCED they are REJOINING IN BAKU AND TO DESTROY LEGACY OF DR RIFAI AND DR FRANGIALLI.
USA
UNWTO SECRETARY-GENERAL DID NOT INFORM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NATURE OF SUCH DECISION TO BE TAKEN BY SENATE NOT ADMINISTRATION.
WE HOPE UNITED STATES ADMINISTRATION AND SENATE WILL HAVE A CLOSE LOOK BEFORE MAKING A WRONG DECISION TO JOIN THE TEAM OF CORRUPT AND DISHONEST SECRETARY-GENERAL.
UNWTO SECRETARY-GENERAL POLALIKASHVILI STARTED BREACHING ALL ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONDUCTS AND GIVES CONTRACTS TO THE CHILDREN OF TOP GEORGIAN OFFICIALS AND HIS PERSONAL FRIENDS IN GEORGIA, SPAIN, URUGUAY (HE SPENT HIS VACATION BASED ON HIS SOCIAL MEDIA) AND MANY OTHER PLACES.
UNWTO SECRETARY-GENERAL HANDED OUT EXPERT CONTRACTS FOR REMUNERATION TO HIS PERSONAL FRIENDS IN RETURN TO PERSONAL FAVORS FOR HIS OWN BUSINESS NETWORK IN SPAIN.
UNWTO SECRETARY-GENERAL GIVES ALL UNWTO TENDERS AND CONTRACTS TO PERSONAL NETWORK AND ATTRACTS INVESTORS TO UNWTO PROJECTS FROM HIS FRIENDS. SEE UNWTO SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE LAST INVESTOR ONLINE ACADEMY
your comments please: [email protected]
Not invited: Dr. Taleb Rifai won’t be seen at UNWTO General Assembly in St. Petersburg
Whatever our business in life may be, let us always remember that our core business is, and will always be, to make this world a better place. These are the words so many of us heard Dr. Taleb Rifai say so many times.
Dr. Taleb Rifai was the UNWTO Secretary-General from 2010 to 2017. Many remember his moving speech and heartfelt welcome he gave for Zurab Pololikashvili, when the Georgian candidate was elected in 2018 at the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu, China. Many say without Dr. Rifai’s support the election could have gone differently.
Dr. Taleb Rifai announced the venue for the 2019 General Assembly to be: St. Petersburg, Russia. Little did he know, he would not be attending.
What hasn’t changed in 2019? The top advisor for the Secretary-General still is Anita Mendiratta, the director of communications still is Marcelo Risi, but many in UNWTO had been replaced.
What changed is: Dr. Taleb Rifai was not invited to attend the UNWTO General Assembly in St. Petersburg. He will be unable to catch up with so many good friends or address the assembly.
His absence will certainly raise the eyebrows of many.
Since Taleb will not be seen in St. Petersburg next week here is his final address as UNWTO Secretary-General again as a reminder to delegates reading this article:
Dear Friends,
We have come to the end of a very special year for UNWTO and for the global tourism community.
In late 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2017 as the ‘International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development’. This was, without doubt, a global recognition of tourism as an important contributor to the development agenda through economic growth, social inclusion, as well as cultural and environmental enrichment and preservation.
UNWTO was designated by the UN General Assembly to coordinate the activities and the celebrations of the International Year. With your support and the great support of our partners, we have promoted the value and contribution of sustainable tourism to development, to inclusive economic growth, social empowerment cultural and environmental enrichment and protection as well as mutual understanding, peace and justice. This was in many ways a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come together and work closer in making travel and tourism a catalyst for positive change.
The launch of the Measuring Sustainable Tourism last June in the Philippines, the adoption by Members States during the Chengdu General Assembly of the ‘Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals’ Declaration, the Montego Bay Declaration and the Lusaka Declaration, our 14 official events held in all regions of the world, our first consumer campaign – ‘Travel.Enjoy.Respect’ and our online space for sharing stories, knowledge and actions which gathered over 1000 initiatives, were just some of the initiatives of this Year. All my thanks go to each and every one of the 65 partners who joined us in making this possible as well as the 12 Special Ambassadors for the International Year.
Dear Friends,
This International Year will not end in December 2017. All the work we have done together during this year needs to be sustained and expanded if we are to ensure tourism’s effective contribution to the 17 SDGs. We were, therefore, very pleased to have been able to launch the findings of the ‘Tourism and SDGs’ report at the Closing Ceremony of the Year in Geneva on 19 December. The Report, which was developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), looks into the links between tourism and the SDGs in national policies, in private sector strategies and sets recommendations for our common journey towards 2030.
2017 was also a momentous year for me personally, as it was the last year of my mandate as UNWTO Secretary-General. Over 12 years at UNWTO I have seen tourism become one of the world’s most important and impactful socio-economic transformative forces of our times. I have seen its growing relevance to the lives of millions of people around the world, to the preservation of our common values and to the greater understanding among people of all walks of life.
I have been touched by every person I have met throughout my humbling, rewarding yet challenging journey and deeply moved by many of the tourism stories I have come across around the world.
I want to thank all those who make our work meaningful every day. I also wish to thank all our Member States, Affiliate Members, sister UN Organizations, industry leaders and their teams, associations and global bodies for their support to me and to the mandate of UNWTO throughout these years. It has been a truly humbling experience.
I wish to say a very special thanks to the UNWTO staff that made possible every success that the Organization has enjoyed over the past years. I am extremely grateful to everyone I have worked with. It has been a privilege to serve as Secretary-General, not the least because of the diverse breadth of exceptional colleagues I have had the pleasure of working with.
I wish Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, the incoming Secretary-General, every success in continuing to drive our sector forward to a better future.
Dear Friends,
Whatever our business in life may be, let us always remember that our core business is, and will always be, to make this world a better place.
Thank you!
Taleb Rifai
Enjoy the photos by Christian del Rosario of Attreo Studio and long-time partner photographer for eTurboNews. eTN writers were not invited in 2019, but Christian will be taking all official photos for UNWTO – and he will do an excellent job.
Urgent Help! Delegates attending UNWTO General Assembly
Are you attending the UNWTO General Assembly in beautiful St. Petersburg, Russia next week? The United States is expected to join the UN specialized agency. Would you want to become an expert informer for eTurboNews. (named or anonymous)?
Marcelo Risi, Chief of UNWTO Communications did not respond to eTurboNews many requests to provide an authorization for our publisher and Russian speaking eTN reporter to attend.
No responses by UNWTO seems to be the routine since Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili took office on January 1, 2018
How to share news, updates, and comments , please email [email protected]
You can also send your information by VIBER or WHAT’sAPP to +1-808-953-4705 or SKYPE: thomassteinmetz
Facebook friends can also use messenger.
If you prefer not to be named – no problem.
eTN attended all General assemblies since 1999. We will miss St. Petersburg.
Previous General Assemblies of the UNWTO:
| I | Madrid, Spain | May 1975 |
| II | Torremolinos, Spain | May/June 1977 |
| III | Torremolinos, Spain | September 1979 |
| IV | Rome, Italy | September 1981 |
| V | New Delhi, India | October 1983 |
| VI | Sofia, Bulgaria | September 1985 |
| VII | Madrid, Spain | September/October 1987 |
| VII | Paris, France | August/September 1989 |
| IX | Buenos Aires, Argentina | September/October 1991 |
| X | Bali, Indonesia | October 1993 |
| XI | Cairo, Egypt | October 1995 |
| XII | Istanbul, Turkey | October 1997 |
| XIII | Santiago, Chile | September/October 1999 |
| XIV | Seoul, Republic of Korea/Osaka, Japan | September 2001 |
| XV | Beijing, China | October 2003 |
| XVI | Dakar, Senegal | November/December 2005 |
| XVII | Cartagena de Indias, Colombia | November 2007 |
| XVIII | Astana, Kazakhstan | October 2009 |
| XIX | Gyeongju, Republic of Korea | October 2011 |
| XX | Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe | August 2013 |
| XXI | Medellín, Colombia | September 2015 |
| XXII | Chengdu, China | September 2017 |