World Tourism Organization Suggests Alliance to Confront Global Economic Crisis

The Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) suggested the need for public and private sectors around the world to work together to form a tourism alliance as a way of protecting tourism in the face of the global economic crisis.

Taleb believes it is necessary for countries to take advantage of modern technology and communications to publicize their tourism attractions and offers.

Taleb Rifai said the crisis calls for “solidarity” among public and private sectors in those countries whose economy relies on tourism.

In a speech at the opening of the International Tourism Bolsa (ITB 2009), Mr. Rifai said the WTO drew up a roadmap, such as a Tourism Reactivation Committee, with the goal of taking all necessary measures for the tourism sector in these difficult moments.

He explained that this committee will meet throughout the course of the ITB gathering and will make an evaluation of the situation and develop strategies to protect world tourism activity.

Expressing concern for the economic crisis, Rifai repeated the often-heard phrase, “if we don’t remain strong together, we will fail separately.”

He stressed the necessity for countries with tourism potential to follow the roadmap designed by the WTO which, in principle, analyzes statistics that look at tourism arrivals in 2009 and the perspectives for the year.

He called on nations to take all possible measures to protect their tourism infrastructures as well as the manpower involved in this sector of the world economy.

He indicated that it is necessary for tourism destinations to redesign their structures and, above all, to include elements of innovation to awaken the interest of visitors.

Taleb believes it is necessary for countries to take advantage of modern technology and communications to publicize their tourism attractions and offers.

He added that countries with tourism potential should invest in their promotion as destinations, adding that this as this method generally yields results.

In addition to Rifai at the opening act of ITB 2009, several other people spoke, including the president of the Messe Berlin, Raimund Hosch and the governor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit.

DR’s Climate a Positive Point

At the official ceremony of ITB 2009, dedicated this year to Ruhr, a region in Germany that was nominated the European Capital of Culture for 2010, the DR’s wonderful weather came up. The mistress of ceremony, Dunja Hayali, underscored the quality of the Dominican climate which she compared to certain attributes of this region of Germany.

With the ITB officially opened in this German city, the DR will exhibit its splendid offerings in a market that has already chosen it as the favorite destination in the Caribbean.

Some 30 hotel companies, tour operators and travel agents are part of the offer being presented at the ITB in a scenario prepared by the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) which, this year, will have two stands: one for businesses that offer services and another where one can see and experience the best of Dominican culture.

The Dominican delegation to the ITB in Berlin is headed by Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García Fernández who is joined by Petra Cruz, Director of the Office of Tourism Promotion (OPT) in Germany and supervisor of Promotion for Europe. Also present were the main actors in the private sector as well as directors, editors, commentators, TV producers and journalists specialized in economy and tourism.

Representing the private sector at the 300-square-meter Dominican stand were businesses such as Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts, Banco Popular Dominicano, Casa de Campo, Caribbean Nexus Tours, Coco Tours, Coral Hospitality Corp., Club Caribbean, Don Juan Beach Resort, Fun Royale/Tropical Beach Resort, Hola Tours & Travel, Hotel-Tur, Blue Bay Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Beds, IFA Villas Bavarian Resort & Spa, Majestic Resorts, NH Luxury Resort, OASIS Hotels & Resorts, Princess Hotels & Resorts, Punta Cana Resort & Club, Sanctuary Cap Cana, Sun Village Resort and Bungalows, The Westin Rocco Ki Beach & Golf Resort, Tropical Clubs, VH Hotels, VIK Hotels and Viva Wyndham Resorts.

The other 147square-meter stand, adjacent to the main stage, is where the country is delighting all those present at the ITB with a cultural display headed by the folklore ballet of SECTUR and artisans, tobacco rollers and others displaying Dominican culture.

Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the WTO

Theatrical show from the German region of Ruhr, guest of honor of ITB 2009.