As countries across the globe voice their backing of individuals as possible leader of the global tourism community come the end of term in office of Taleb Rifai, current Secretary General of the UNWTO, Asia is boldly stepping forward with its proposal for a new era of global tourism leadership.

Not one leader seeking to charter a new path for tourism according to their perspective. Instead, a partnership of two representing a formidable team uniquely qualified to champion a tourism future for the benefit of greater global development and unity.

With great pride and confidence, the Republic of KOREA has presented for candidacy of the role of Secretary General of the UNWTO one of South Korea’s finest daughters and leaders: AMBASSADOR DHO YOUNG-SHIM.

With over 3 decades of her life dedicated to global advancement, through Tourism, Ambassador Dho understands firsthand how nations around the world can use Tourism to elevate not just their economies, but their social fabric, their environmental protection, their identity, their competitiveness….and their feeling of pride as a meaningful player in the global community.

Having been playing a front line role in tourism at a global level for the past 4 decades, and operating within the UN and UNWTO for over twenty years, Ambassador Dho was most recently in the capacity of Chairperson of the ST-EP Foundation, the UNWTO’s dedicated operating unit focused on the elimination of poverty through tourism. The ST-EP Foundation is now in its final days of UNWTO custodianship in accordance with a decision taken in 2013 by the UNWTO Executive Council and its membership at the UNWTO General Assembly.

Knowing from first-hand experience the challenges and opportunities for tourism across all regions of the world, especially tourism’s ability to elevate nations for the benefit of all citizens, Ambassador Dho is firm in her belief that with the right leadership, tourism can finally get the attention, support and resources needed to operate as a key part of the global growth agenda.

In her own words, Ambassador Dho is clear in her convictions:

“We live in challenging times. I see it, you see it. All around. People are struggling to find hope. No country is able to get away from the troubles that the world is experiencing, whether in their economy, or amongst their people. This generation has never been so challenged in how to create a future for all to come together, peacefully, and with a feeling of personal value. At the same time, I see, I know, that tourism offers a way for people, whoever they are and wherever they live, to have hope. Tourism creates jobs. It creates stability. And it naturally creates identity. I know the difference that makes to creating opportunities for countries to build a future for the better of all. Tourism must be seen and used a part of the solution to global growth and development. Now is a time for action. No more words. Action”

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For this reason, Ambassador Dho views the position of UNWTO leadership holistically. Dho emphasizes,:

“It’s not about me. It’s about the UNWTO global tourism community. We – we all together, are working to bring the world to a better place, one where people can recognize and celebrate their value, and the value of others. As Secretary General it will be my job to empower others so that tourism can be applied to lift up people and places across the world, making economies stronger, societies stronger. As Secretary General, it will be my job to unlock the power of tourism as a force for good for all. But I cannot do this alone. No one can. It must be a team effort.”

Uniquely, Ambassador Dho is openly positioning her team, asking one of the global tourism community’s most trusted leaders to join her candidacy ticket as her running mate – CARLOS VOGELER. A Spanish national born in Venezuela, from a well-known Spanish-German family, has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to the tourism private sector, simultaneously with the Academia, as a University Professor, and is well known to the UNWTO membership and global tourism sector. He is currently Executive Director for Member Relations at the UNWTO and also Regional Director for the Americas .

Creating a powerful combination of leadership offering unprecedented balance of global representation, experience and expertise across business and government, access and gender, the partnership of Dho and Vogeler reflects a well thought through, structured, mature and visionary approach to the competition for the UNWTO’s top job.

Leadership over leaders. Tourism as a central part of the solution to global stability, unity, and opportunity.

As stated by the Ambassador of Foreign Affairs of Korea in Spain on formal presentation of his nation’s chosen candidate:

“Together, Madame Dho, with her chosen Deputy, Carlos Vogeler, a well known and respected leader of and friend to global Tourism, offer a unique combination of global expertise, experience, insight and exposure. My country is confident in their exceptional ability to lead the UNWTO, and its membership, to a position of even greater importance and impact within the Tourism sector, and wider global community.”