TOURISM M'SIA CHAIRMAN REAPPOINTED UNWTO CHAIRMAN

By Sharifah Nur Shahrizad Sharifah Mohamed Sharer

ASTANA (KAZAKHSTAN), Oct 5 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia chairman Dr Victor
Wee has been re-appointed chairman of Programme Committee for United Nations
World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for a second term.

In a statement Monday, the tourism ministry said Dr Wee's appointment was
ratified at the 18th UNWTO General Assembly which began Monday at the Palace of
Independence here.

Dr Wee will begin his four-year mandate from 2010-2013. He had previously
served as chairman to the committee during 2008-2009.

Committee members comprise representatives from six regional commissions
worldwide.

The committee will be responsible for the preparation of UNWTO's work
programme for the next four years, as well as monitoring programme
implementation and systematic evaluation of its outputs and results.

Dr Wee's appointment is on the basis of his expertise in the tourism
industry, as well as experience in tourism policy, regulation, product
development and marketing while serving as the ministry's secretary-general
during 2004-2008.

In addition, he has vast experience as an economist during his 29-year
tenure at the Economic Planning Unit and National Economic Action Council
(NEAC) during the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997-98.

During the General Assembly, Malaysia was elected Vice-Chairman of the
Commission of East Asia and Pacific, as well as Full Member of the Budget and
Finance Committee.

This is in recognition of Malaysia's strong performance in tourism
development and the country's active participation in UNWTO.
-- BERNAMA