The response by the Hon. Walter Mzembi to his allegation of “flaws” in the election process for UNWTO Secretary General in May at the Executive Council meeting in Madrid reads like a crime story, and it may be one on the highest level.

Some call the Zimbabwe minister an army of one because he was the only one officially pushing for the issue to be discussed at the upcoming General Assembly in Madrid.

WorldTourismWire publisher Juergen Steinmetz had been in touch with many travel and tourism leaders over the last 2 months. Despite some isolated and anonymous criticism on the eTN and WorldTourismWire reporting, there has been wide and truly overwhelming support on eTN’s and WorldTourismWire investigation and push to investigate the UNWTO Secretary General election process.

Support was voiced by numerous ministers of tourism from various parts of the world. It was voiced by some of the 5 candidates that competed in Madrid,  and it was voiced by delegates from UNWTO member countries, as well as by many members of the private industry and UNWTO affiliated members.

There was wide interest by major mainstream media, and many may be standing by to catch up on the story in Chengdu.

It’s fair to say, there has been a wide support for the action facilitated by the ZImbabwe Minister – but every single supporter  whispered and told the eTN  journalists,  he or she was speaking “off the record”, and “don’t write my name.”

On June 13 Mzembi broke his silence  and his army of one built an army of silent followers from all over the world. The gloves will be off  in Chengdu, when the full assembly has to confirm or not confirm the nominee for the job, Ambassador Zurab Pololikashvili from Georgia.

On July 19 Dr. Walter Mzembi dropped a bomb shell when he requested an agenda point to be added to the upcoming UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu China in September. Dr. Taleb Rifai, the current Secretary General responded on July 29 to Mzembi and wrote: Any agenda item proposed by a Member of the Organisation (…) shall be accompanied by a report (…) that sets the framework for the debate and includes, as appropriate, requests on actions to be taken by the General Assembly in the form of recommendations or decisions, serving as a resource and reference for delegations to seek instructions and prepare their position on the matter”.

On Wednesday, August 9, Mzembi responded in details and with the requested report. He laid out what he wanted to discuss in Chengdu, and what should be changed. Mzembi is not for a  man who only criticizes, he always comes up with workable solutions.

His response is nothing but sensational and judging on all the details this writer knows, it seems to be true. It takes courage and leadership to bring this forward, but regardless of the outcome, it will may the beginning of a better and more critical UNWTO membership.eTurboNews published both details submitted by the Zimbabwe minister.

• Click here to download the PDF letter by the Zimbabwe Ministry of Tourism outlying the flawed election process.
• Click here to download the PDF letter by the ZImbabwe Ministry of Tourrism outlying the change proposed for the UNWTO Rules of procedure

eTurboNews published both papers submitted by Zimbabwe:

• Click here to read what Mzembi thinks went flawed during the election process for UNWTO Secretary General
• Click here to read how Mzembi wants to change the Rules of UNWTO Procedure