Rifai surprised by Armenian President emphasis on tourism development

 July 5, 2011 - 16:31 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General, Taleb Rifai acknowledged that he met total understanding on the part of Armenian authorities in the issue of tourism industry development both in Armenia and all over the globe.

“Whenever meeting with a country leader, I, as a rule, have to explain importance of tourism development, and I was surprised to hear Serzh Sargsyan himself telling me that this field is a priority for Armenia and that the country’s authorities consider its development vital,” Rifai said on July 5 in Yerevan.

He highly praised readiness of Armenian officials to cooperate in this direction, stressing that, “private sector will not be able to make progress without this support.”

According to UNWTO leader, today the world tourism industry grows providing $1 trln. turnover and 1 mln. job opportunities annually, though its development in the 21st century was impeded by terror acts (Sept. 11 in U.S.), tsunami and earthquakes. This industry makes 5% from world GDP and 30% in total services and trade.

As Mr.Rifai noted, today’s tourist is educated and literate, and he commands IT latest achievements, that lets him arrange his tourist package on-line. He also emphasized the challenges tourism industry faces, namely, not to break biodiversity alongside with development and not to increase wastes.