UNWTO HOLDS TECHNICAL SEMINAR IN BAKU

Baku, March 25 (AzerTAc). A technical seminar on “The effects of the economic crisis on European tourism: Challenges and Responses” has today started in Azerbaijan`s capital as part of the 49th meeting of the UN World Tourism Organization`s (UNWTO) Commission for Europe.
Opening the seminar, Azerbaijan`s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Abulfas Garayev, said “such gatherings are a great contribution to reducing the impact of the global economic crisis on tourism industry”. The Azerbaijani Minister said “at the same time these meetings create brilliant opportunities for our country to show off and promote its tourism potential in Europe.”
Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General a.i., said “the development of tourism means economic prosperity”
“Unfortunately, the global economic and financial crisis has a negative impact on the tourism industry, and we must combine all our efforts to prevent this” he said.
The agenda of the event, which brought together delegates from 45 European countries, included several sections and panel discussions such as “A European Perspective on the Current Global Economic and Financial Crisis” and “Tourism and the Global Economic Crisis: New Times, New Challenges”.
On Thursday, UNWTO Commission for Europe will hold its 49th meeting here.