The pre events of the 23rd session of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly got underway today at the Presidential Library in St Petersburg, Russia.
It begun with the 41st UNWTO Affiliate Members Plenary Session. Over 200 companies and institutions were present at the meeting. The Secretary General of the UNWTO Ambassador Zurab Pololikashvili in his keynote address thanked members for their support and efforts in driving the number initiatives at the Organization.
He said, “Without you our UNWTO affiliate members it will be impossible to make our ideas reality”. He reiterated tourism’s power in creating jobs and changing lives.
The Chair of the Affiliates Member Program Miguel Mirones congratulated the newly elected board members of the program and gave an account of the various projects undertaken by the Department.
Lucy Garner from the UNWTO Academy took members through the changes and works at the academy.
The special Plenary Session for Affiliate Members highlighted the important role the private sector, in addition to civil society and academia, can play in helping UNWTO fulfill its mission to guide the tourism sector’s growth in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Experts and senior Directors took turns to address the gathering with presentations as well.
