UNWTO Plans to Conduct Several Activities during Spain’s FITUR 2007

The tourism sector continues to show sustained growth, according to new figures by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to be released just before FITUR. The latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer will offer final figures for 2006, and the first regional forecasts for 2007.

“Against a projection of continuing worldwide growth of more than 4 percent for international arrivals, we will intensify our actions to support the sector, advance the Millennium Development Goals and promote the Global Code of Ethics in the years ahead”, UNWTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli said.

Mr. Frangialli will deliver the keynote speech at the inauguration of FITUR, which will be opened by King Juan Carlos I of Spain.

At the start of the week of FITUR, UNWTO will present the final world tourism figures (arrivals, receipts, trends and analysis) for 2006, as well as the regional forecasts for 2007.

An international UNWTO think tank with experts from about 20 countries and a conference on Excellence in Tourism Governance will focus on building and increasing knowledge capacity to foster tourism competitiveness.

The Seminar on World Tourism Facts &Trends will provide insights into the emerging trends in the travel industry that are powering future products and services for a new type of traveler.

Instead of the traditional product-centered business vision, a new orientation is emerging in entrepreneurial strategy, placing the priority on the consumer and on the way businesses approach their customers.

On the occasion of FITUR, UNWTO will celebrate a special inauguration of its exhibition entitled “1946-2006: Sixty Years of an Organization Serving World Tourism” at UNWTO headquarters in Madrid, with the presence of most Tourism Ministers from Latin America.