For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

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African Tourism Board launch on Thursday: More details just released

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The African Tourism Board is ready to be launched in Cape Town on Thursday during the upcoming World Travel Market at the Cape Town International Convention Centre,
Conference Theatre.

A president and a CEO will be introduced during the launch event.
The focus of the launch event is diverse and includes Peace, Environment, Investment, Marketing, and Security.

African Tourism Board will be exhibiting at the World Travel Market on Stand AP12

15.30-15.40 Welcoming remarks

Juergen Steinmetz

Interim chairman of African Tourism Board
Chairman International Coalition of Tourism Partners

Introducing the African Tourism Board, Vision, Board Members, African Leaders,
Introduction of the new ATB President

Tourism, Investments & Peace:
It’s a People Business

15.40-15.55
Dr. Taleb Rifai

Former UNWTO Secretary-General
2015-2017

A special place: Cape Town

15.55-16.00
Enver Duminy
CEO Cape Town Tourism

A Minister of Tourism Speaks:

16.00-16.05
Hon. Moses Vikati

Minister of Tourism & Environmental Affairs
Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland

Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards

16.05-16.10

Kwakye Donkor
CEO African Tourism Partner
Ghana & South Africa

The Role of Cameroon Tourism

16.10-16.15

Francoise Kameni Lele
AFBS Cameroon

Travel & Tourism Security and Safety

Keynote Speaker

16.10-16.40
Dr. Peter Tarlow, USA
Travel Security and Safety
www. safertourism.com

African Lung: It’s a launch today

Launch Announcement

16.40-17.00

Professor Geoffrey Lipman
President International Coalition of Tourism Partners
President SunX
The launch of Africa Lung, the most ambitious travel & tourism climate response program with its central focus on Africa.

Reaching out to Overseas Markets

The US Market Potential: Not only New York or Los Angeles

17.00-17.05

Juergen Steinmetz, president eTN Corporation
Inbound markets from USA

Chinese Tourists: How to do it

17.05-17.10

Doris Woerfel, CEO Southern Cross Experience, South Africa
China inbound market for Africa

Travelers from Israel: A huge potential

17.10-17.15

Dov Kalmann, Israel
Israel inbound market for Africa

Why Indians want to explore Africa

17.15-17.20

Arjun Mukund, T&A Consulting, Delhi, India
Indian inbound market for Africa

The Road Forward for African Tourism Board

I have a dream!

17.20-17.30

Alain St. Ange, Seychelles
Former Minister of Tourism Seychelles
President St. Ange Consulting

The Global Trade Show for Africa

17.30

Carol Weaving

Managing Director of Reed Exhibition Africa

Travel News | eTurboNews

U.S. Department of Homeland Security McAleenan appointment: U.S. Travel Association issues statement

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U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the announced appointment of Kevin K. McAleenan as acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security:

“In Mr. McAleenan we have an ally with a full and complete understanding of both national security and the importance of facilitating cross-border trade, which includes travel.

“U.S. Travel has had the pleasure of engagement with Mr. McAleenan for over a decade, given his immediate past roles with Customs and Border Protection. The American travel community’s experience with Mr. McAleenan gives us every confidence that he is the right choice to lead DHS through these challenging times.

“On behalf of America’s travel industry, I look forward to a continued positive relationship with Mr. McAleenan and DHS, and look forward to seeing this critically important role filled on a long-term basis.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

AIDS/HIV research supported by design community

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Members of the Design Industries have supported AIDS research since 1984 through the Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA), a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization incorporated in New York State.

DIFFA started as a grassroots organization and today is a national foundation headquartered in New York City with chapters in Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and the Pacific Northwest. The organization also partners with gift and home industries and other organizations throughout the USA. DIFFA and its partners have raised over $44 million for hundreds of HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide providing education and prevention programs that run the gamut from condom distribution and needle exchanges to protection of legal rights and security for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Every March, DIFFA invites local and international designers to take raw space and morph it into a showcase of WOW dining table-top environments. It is co-located with the Architectural Digest Design Show and thousands of designers, architects, buyers, sellers, media and design educators support this unique event held at Pier 92 in Manhattan.

Dining by Design attracts over 40,000 guests who view dining installations by more than 30 designers, architects, manufacturers and brands. Designers include: Black Designs + Artists Guild, Sheila Bridges, Mikel Welch, Stacy Garcia, Damour Drake, Kingston Design Connection, Joshua David Home, Inc. Architecture, Lucina Loya, Patrick Mele for Benjamin Moore, Roric Tobin for Modern Luxury and David Scott Interiors for Roche Bobois and Stonehill Taylor for Ultrafabrics.

Curated Design-Inspired Table-Scapes

  • Patrick Mele for Benjamin Moore

This table-scape celebrates glamour from an earlier decade and another world. It is presented in a contemporary format with a mélange of berry, cream, gold and silver giving the space an airy and spring-like ambiance that enhances the trompe l’oeil details and highlights its creativity.

  • Rockwell Group

This table-scape is inspired by The Peacock Room, James McNeill Whistler’s masterpiece of interior decorative art. The tableau features digital wallcovering and a custom handmade peacock-feather tablecloth, creating an abstract, modern interpretation of luxuriously – decadent space.

  • Stonehill Taylor for Ultrafabrics

“Journey” links nearly 4 decades of research and human achievement in the fight against AIDS. The colors and patterns suggest the body and being, while the swirling, layered centerpiece addresses hope and optimism thanks to ongoing advances in science and technology.

  • Mckenzie Liautaud/Robert Verdi

Inspired by water and the nexus between the river and the sea, jewelry designer @Mckenziel and tastemaker @RobertVerdi present a table-scape that features pearls and their origin. Dinner guests are seated on pearl-like stools at a table set with silver and crystal under the stars.

Auction (Curated)

Dining by Design features a silent auction that presents innovative products, original works of art and unusual, quirky experiences.

  • Infiore Floor Lamp by Estiluz

The lamp was designed by the Lagrania Studio. Fiore means flower in Italian, and this is an original elegant lamp that opens it petals and shines it unique light wherever it is placed. The bi-injected polycarbonate petals provide a two-color lighting effect. A halogen bulb is hidden within and is protected by satinized glass that delivers a warm, pleasant light that presents different tones and color effects.

  • Izmir Filo Table Lamp

This playful table lamp was designed by Andrea Anastasio for Foscarini. The lamp and its cord land casually on a tripod, and on the cord are large, effective glass beads. The Filo Lamp is an artistic masterpiece that will be admired forever.

For additional information: diffa.org

Travel News | eTurboNews

Easter School Holidays ring in busy travel season at Frankfurt Airport

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With the Easter holidays around the corner, Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is preparing for this year’s first travel peak. Germany’s largest aviation hub expects to welcome up to 215,000 passengers daily – particularly at the start of the Easter school holidays on the weekend from April 12 to 15. The busy travel season will continue also after the Easter holidays. During summer, more than 240,000 passengers are expected to pass through the FRA global aviation hub on peak days, thus reaching similar levels as last year. Passenger volumes are not expected to decline noticeably until October, when Frankfurt Airport switches to the winter flight schedule.

Five tips for a smooth airport experience

Passengers should should therefore follow a few key pieces of advice when preparing for their journey. Each individual passenger can contribute to avoiding unnecessary delays and ensuring a stress-free travel experience at the counters and security checkpoints in the terminals.

  1. Check in online: Passengers can usually check in online 24 hours before departure on their airline’s website. This saves time at the check-in counter.
  2. Arrive early: Passengers should be at the airport at least two and a half hours before departure and make their way to the security check immediately after dropping off their luggage. Once having passed the security checkpoint, passengers will find a wide range of amenities and leisure experiences to choose from, including FRA’s Movie and Gaming Worlds, yoga rooms and play areas for children, as well as shops and restaurants.
  3. Take as little carry-on luggage as possible: Your carry-on luggage should only contain items that are essential during your journey on the plane and at the airport. Carrying light luggage is the best way to ensure a relaxed airport experience. It also saves time at the security checkpoint and when boarding the plane. Packing correctly also helps reduce stress. Therefore, travelers should check their airline’s luggage rules and allowances before starting their trip. The airline will provide details about the size, number and weight permitted. Aviation regulations specify what is allowed in each piece of luggage.
  4. Stow liquids and electronics correctly: Particular attention must be paid to liquids and electronic devices. Batteries, e-cigarettes and power banks must be transported in carry-on luggage. Liquids in carry-on luggage must be stored in individual receptacles of up to 100 ml each in a resealable, transparent plastic bag with a maximum volume of one liter per passenger. Electronic devices and liquids must be presented separately at the security check. Security checks can be sped up considerably by packing everything so that it is quickly accessible and easily restowable.
  5. Book parking online: Booking parking online early is strongly recommended for passengers traveling to the airport in their own car. It is also cheaper. In addition to arriving two and a half hours before departure, we recommend that passengers allow a few minutes’ additional time for traveling between the parking structure and the terminal.

“Following these travel tips and the luggage regulations will help each person have a more enjoyable airport experience,” explains Fraport AG’s General Manager Aviation, Dr. Pierre Dominique Prümm. “This will also positively contribute to smooth operations and the overall situation at our airport. Nevertheless, Frankfurt Airport – like all other travel hubs and routes – will be very busy in the summer months, especially during vacation periods. We are preparing for this as effectively as possible with additional staff and adjustments to our infrastructure. Yet, longer waits can still be expected on peak days. Our aim is to keep waiting times as short as possible. To achieve this, we rely on the cooperation of passengers and our partners on site, as well as airlines and government agencies.”

Passengers can find all the travel tips and a lot more useful information at frankfurt-airport.com and via the Frankfurt Airport app.

Leave your winter coat at the airport

During the Easter holidays, the popular Winter Coat Storage Service is available for the last time this season at the luggage storage service. For 50 euro cents per day, down jackets and thick coats can be left at the airport, while their owners enjoy their vacation in the sun.

Travel News | eTurboNews

What smart travelers know

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A record-breaking number of Americans are traveling, but most are unprepared for the journey – more than 90% of US travelers don’t know their rights, according to AirHelp, advocate for air passengers.

For easy reference, they have compiled a brief overview of U.S. air passenger rights below, along with insider tips for smart travelers. Knowing your rights could make you eligible to claim compensation. These include what to do regarding:

  • Flight Delays
  • Cancellations
  • Bumping, Denied Boarding and Overbooking
  • Lost Luggage
  • Missed Connections
  • When to fly
  • How to pack
  • And more

Disruptions: If you are flying within the U.S. and you are denied boarding due to an overbooked flight, you may be eligible to claim 400% of the one-way fare to your destination in compensation, of a value up to $1,350. Also, for flight cancellations or lengthy delays, if you’re flying to the EU on an EU airline, or departing from an EU airport, you may be eligible to claim up to $700 per person in compensation under European law EC 261.

Lost Luggage: Did you know airlines that lose or damage travelers’ luggage are obligated to pay out compensation of $1,500 – $3,500 to impacted passengers and reimburse them for lost items? Many travelers are unaware of these rights. Whether a traveler is flying within the U.S. or to one of the other 120 countries that ratified the Montreal Convention, if that person experiences luggage issues while traveling, they may be entitled to compensation under air passenger rights laws, including U.S. national law and the Montreal Convention. In order to successfully get the compensation that they are entitled to, a passenger must file a claim before leaving the airport. Travelers should fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) claim for misplaced luggage, including the case number of their bags. The more detailed the claim, the better off that passenger will be, including an itemized list of the contents of their luggage, including the value of each item.

Missed Connections: If flights are booked together under one reference code, passengers can claim $300 – $700 in compensation from the airlines if they miss a connecting flight due to an earlier disruption under EC 261.

Fly during off-peak days or times to avoid the largest crowds at airports. The late night flights are often the least crowded, which means that your flight may be less likely to be overbooked, and your wait time at security will be shorter.

Consider flying out of alternate airports, if your airport is known to have delays. If flights from one airport typically experience significant disruptions, you can anticipate the new screenings will create longer lines at security and additional delays. Look into flights through different airports that fit your travel needs.

Leave extra time for traveling to the airport. No matter when people are traveling, they should anticipate traffic near the airport and overcrowding inside, thanks to overtourism. Pack the car with your luggage the night before departing to help save precious time the day of. Schedule extra time for driving, plan to arrive at the airport at least three hours before takeoff, and be sure to leave ample time to get through lines at security in case of large crowds. If it is easy enough, travelers can also consider public transportation to eliminate parking fees and cut costs.

Be ready for longer lines at security. With larger flights, waiting for luggage can take a lot of extra time at the airport. For short trips, travelers may consider using only a carry-on item, as long as all items fall under TSA requirements.

Strategically pack your luggage to have your ID and all liquid items at the top so that they’re easily accessible to TSA staff.

Pack larger electronics at the top. In July 2018, the TSA announced rules that require electronics larger than a cellphone to be placed in separate screening bins. If you’re one of the many travelers who are opting to bring bags on board rather than pay money to check them, pack larger electronics at the top so they’re easy to remove and place in a separate screening bin.

Consider wearing a pullover jacket or sweatshirt instead of a zip-up – this will allow you to quickly get through security without having to worry about removing articles of clothing.

Bring chargers and extra entertainment for the airport. Sometimes, flight disruptions are inevitable, so consider packing an extra phone charger and book to take on the flight.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Global Champion Awards announced by WTTC

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The countries and leaders who have made a difference to increase the competitiveness of the Travel & Tourism sector within their countries have been recognized at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Champions Awards at the WTTC Global Summit in Seville this week.

The inaugural WTTC Global Champions Awards recognizes those countries from 185 around the world which have used policy initiatives to create the conditions to promote the long-term sustainable growth of our sector.

The categories of awards and the recipients are as follows:

Security & Seamless Travel Experience which recognizes leadership in transforming border security and the traveler experience through the use of technology and facial recognition systems – awarded to Kevin McAleenan, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, USA.

Resilience which recognizes leadership by a country which has demonstrated success in recovery from adverse events – H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Tourism, Arab Republic of Egypt.

Social Impact which recognizes leadership in enabling gender equality and diversity; engaging local communities and making the sector more attractive for future generations – awarded to Hon. Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism & Wildlife in the Government of Kenya.

Destination Stewardship which recognizes leadership for work undertaken to overcome seasonality as a way of improving the year-round tourism experience – H.E. Elena Kountoura, Minister of Tourism, Government of Greece.

Crisis Preparedness, Management & Recovery which recognizes leadership in disaster preparedness and having effective response systems at both national and local levels – H.E. Keiichi Ishii, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Government of Japan.

Innovation and Technology recognizes leadership in innovation and the implementation of technology that meets the needs of tomorrow’s travelers and fosters sustainable tourism growth – awarded to H.E. Maria Reyes Maroto Illera, Minister of Tourism, Government of Spain.

The awards ceremony took place at the Gala Dinner of the WTTC Global Summit which was held in Seville, Spain, and hosted by Ayuntamiento of Seville, Turismo Andaluz and Turespana.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, commented: “The WTTC Global Champions Awards are designed to recognize those countries and individuals whose policies or initiatives have made a significant contribution to the creation of jobs in our sector in a range of different ways.

“Promoting the long-term sustainable growth of our sector is critical and the winners will help those countries and individuals whose actions have had the greatest impact.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

US citizen international departures up 6% in 2018

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U.S. air travel to overseas markets totaled 41.8 million, up nine percent for the year. Regional results were:

  • Europe, 17.7 million travelers, up 12 percent
  • Caribbean, 8.3 million travelers, up five percent
  • Asia, 6.3 million travelers, up eight percent
  • Central America, 3.2 million travelers, up seven percent
  • Middle East, 2.4 million travelers, up six percent
  • South America, 2.1 million travelers, up nine percent
  • Oceania, 861,000 travelers, up 11 percent
  • Africa, 432,000 travelers, up seven percent

U.S. travel to North American markets totaled 51.3 million, up four percent compared to 2017.

  • To Mexico, U.S. travelers totaled a record 36.9 million, up six percent
  • ‘Tourist’ (longer haul travel) 19.1 million, up four percent.
  • U.S. air travel to Mexico (10.1 million), part of ‘Tourist’, was up three percent
  • Border (1+ nights travel) 17.8 million, increased eight percent.
  • To Canada, 14.3 million U.S. travelers, ‘flat’ year-over-year. Air travel (4.6 million) was down four percent

Annual 2018 Market Shares

U.S. air travel to overseas locations accounted for 45 percent of total U.S. outbound travel, up one percentage point from 2017. Regional composition:

    • Europe, a 19 percent share (up one percentage point from 2017);
    • Caribbean, a nine percent share; (down one percentage point from 2017)
    • Asia, a seven percent share;
    • Central America, a four percent share;
    • Middle East, a three percent share;
    • South America, a two percent share);
    • Oceania, a one percent share, and
    • Africa, almost a one percent share

North American markets received 55 percent of all U.S. international outbound travel.

    • U.S. travel to Mexico a 40 percent share;
    • To Canada, a 15 percent share (down one percentage point from 2017).

For detailed information and data tables please click here.

Canada and Mexico numbers are preliminary. The chart will reflect final changes.

In 2011, NTTO (then OTTI) began to report U.S. outbound travel monthly by all modes, expanding beyond air-only traffic. Total travel, inclusive of all modes, to Canada and Mexico is reported in addition to the air-only subtotals. The timing of this report is dependent data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Stats Canada and Banco de Mexico (INEGI), respectively.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Tourism plays a major role in poverty alleviation, says PM Imran Khan

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Calling the tourism industry as a major role in poverty alleviation and one of his top priorities, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has unveiled his vision and features of the Tourism Policy of Pakistan to develop tourism as an industry in the country.

Former cricketer, Imram Khan, published a pictorial “A journey through Pakistan” in the early 80s to promote Pakistan among his international followers as one of the top starts of the Cricket world. He brought several European celebrities to Pakistan during the 80s and 90s to show the beauty of Pakistan among such celebrities as the late Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, and the mother of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

The Prime Minister, while addressing the Pakistan Tourism Summit on Wednesday, was of the view that Pakistan is one of the most beautiful lands on Earth, and still has virgin places offering explorers exceptional adventures, reported the DND News Agency.

His view of developing tourism is based on his view that the role of the state is to facilitate tourists by providing them infrastructure and security, and the rest should be done by private sector.

He believes that poverty has decreased due to tourism in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that tourism can be a major tool for poverty alleviation in Pakistan.

He stated that his government has opened its first International Information Tourist Corner in Belgium to introduce Pakistan as a tourism destination where tourists can get information about its unique culture, exceptional natural beauty of its northern areas, and the traditional lifestyle of its mountain people.

He stated that while collaborating with a Dutch Company, the Tourist Corner established in Brussels is the first-ever initiative by the Pakistani mission in Belgium to promote tourism products of Pakistan.

He stated that his government already started online visa processing for residents from 175 countries, and an e-visa facility is playing a role in attracting tourists.

Travel News | eTurboNews

American Tourist Kidnapped in Uganda: African Tourism Board in action with expert Dr. Peter Tarlow

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Not only leopards were roaming Queen Elizabeth National Park today, but criminals who kidnapped an elderly American tourist in the park today, and put the well-organized travel and tourism industry in Uganda on edge.

The Uganda Ministry of ICT & National Guidance issued this statement:

Yesterday, Tuesday 2nd April 2019 four armed men not yet identified between 5,00pm and 7,00pm staged an ambush and kidnapped an American Tourist with his Ugandan driver near Katoke gate in the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Four other four tourists who were left abandoned and unharmed later contacted the base (lodge) and were quickly moved to safety.

A joint operation by the Uganda Police, Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) and Uganda Wildlife Authority Game Wardens is underway to locate and rescue them.

The priority at this point is to locate, rescue and bring them back safely.

eTN talked to Lilly Ajariva. She is a Ugandan conservationist and tourism expert. She is the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board, the Ugandan government agency that is charged with promoting the country as a tourism destination. She was appointed to that position on 10 January 2019.

When asked why an American Tourist was picked by the kidnappers, Ms. Ajarova thinks the selection was based on the age and not the nationality.

eTN reached out to Dr. Peter Tarlow, head of safertourism.com 

Dr. Peter Tarlow

Dr. Peter Tarlow is also the security and safety expert for the newly-founded African Tourism Board and will be speaking at their launch event in Cape Town next week. Peter is scheduled to meet with UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova to discuss any assistance the Africa Tourism Board can give in this situation.

Dr. Tarlow told eTurboNews: “The tragic kidnapping that recently occurred in Uganda should not be seen as indicative of overall safety in Uganda.

“Very much to the contrary, Uganda has been known over the decades to be a safe and secure destination. Unfortunately, there are bad people in every part of the world and travel implies risk.

“However, Uganda cannot afford to rely on its recent past but must show the world what it is doing in the future.

“Despite the fact that the situation is very fluid and the facts, at midnight Uganda time is still unclear, there are a number of things that Uganda can do immediately and in the short and long term to mitigate the damage to its reputation.

“These suggestions come from my long-term work with Aruva after the Natalie Holloway case and with kidnapping issues both in Mexico and in Latin America.”

With limited data, the African Tourism Board security expert suggests the following, and as more data becomes apparent, additional information will be provided.

We urge Uganda Tourism Officials to:

1)  Tell the truth. Under no circumstance, minimize, become defensive or refuse to accept the severity of the situation. Do not lie to reporters.

2)  Have one person be the tourism spokesman or woman and funnel all information through that person.

3)  If the information is not yet known, state that facts and then state that there will be regularly-scheduled updates. Give specific times and locations.

4)  Have the military of a police officer standing next to the spokesperson to indicate that this is a serious matter.

5)  Make sure that it is clear that the government is working with all foreign embassies and updating them on a regular basis.

6)  Indicate that Uganda is working with the visitors’ families and will do everything that is needed to help the family.

7)  Announce that there is a special unit at work (assuming this unit exists) that deals with hostage rescue and recovery. If it does not exist, then contact friendly foreign governments that have experience in this matter.

We hope for the short term that Uganda:

1)  Announces that the country is doing an update on its risk management.

2)  Gets articles in the media that speak about Ugandan positives.

3)  Indicates that the perpetrators will be found and that they will suffer the full consequences of the law.

4)  Opens a foreign visitor hotline so that all visitors can get up-to-date information.

5)  Announces that the Ugandan tourism police will be opening (or strengthening) their tourism police unit and that they will receive additional training.

6)  Make it clear that Uganda tourism is working with international boards such as the African Tourism Board  (ATB) and that there will be exchanges of information between the African tourism bureaus through the ATB.

Juergen Steinmetz, the interim chair of the African Tourism Board, said: “We are standing by to assist Uganda and are in touch with UTB and our security expert Dr. Peter Tarlow. We will be meeting with Lilly next week in Capetown and hope this crime will be resolved at that time and that our fellow American tourist is returned safely. I am confident Dr. Tarlow can be of great assistance to Uganda Tourism and for the African continent when it comes to safety and security.”

More information on African Tourism Board: www.africantourismboard.com
More information on Safer Tourism: www.safertourism.com

Travel News | eTurboNews

Welcome to Spain: WTTC Summit Opened in Seville

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This morning the World Travel and Tourism Council Summit 2019 opened in Seville, Spain.
A line up of top tourism leaders in the private industry together with political tourism leaders are meeting in the next two days at this event UNWTO Secretary-General today called the summit the most important days in the world of tourism.

The Travel & Tourism industry has been redefined by changemakers according to the theme of the event.

Speaking at the openings was:

Juan Manuel Moreno, President, The Regional Government of Andalusia
Hon Pedro Sánchez, President, Spain
Juan Espadas, Mayor, Seville
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UNWTO Pololikashvili
Christopher J. Nassetta, Chairman, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) & CEO, Hilton.

Pololikashvili promised repeatedly the UNWTO will do many things together.


Gloria Guevara,  CEO of WTTC  pointed out the growth of the travel and tourism industry, 1.4 billion international arrivals, 4,4 billion people flying and 7 billion domestic trips are taken every year.
According to the WTTC CEO tourism growth numbers are the second highest in the world and contribute 8.8 trillion Dollars to economies.
Guevara pointed out that smartphones were only invented in 2007 and soon biometrics can be used to avoid lines at borders, check into hotels and replace identification documents altogether.
Gloria predicted driverless cars will bring travelers to hotels, and 5G technology will improve communication and emergency management.

Hon Pe dro Sánchez, President, Spain echoed a lot of these numbers and talked about big data, mentioned gender equalities. He said the leadership position of Spain in Travel and Tourism and he thanked delegates the support for tourism Spain received for 40 years. Investing in Security means investing in Tourism.

The president closed his speech in saying, we believe in equality. He pointed to delegates and said society needs you to build trust and not to build walls. Welcome to Spain!

Click for more news on WTTC

Travel News | eTurboNews