Baku, Azerbaijan, May 18
By Seymur Aliyev - Trend:
Promotion of tourism contributes to the development of the global economy and is a tool for establishment of peace, said Amr Abdel Ghaffar, the regional director of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the Middle East.
He made the remarks May 18 at a ceremony for the official opening of the 3rd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku.
Addressing the forum, Abdel Ghaffar, on behalf of the UNWTO, thanked Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev for his activities.
"I am honored to address to this high assembly on behalf of the director general of the UN World Tourism Organization," said Abdel Ghaffar, addressing to Azerbaijan's president. "I'd like to convey the greetings of the director general of the UN World Tourism Organization and express gratitude that you support the value of dialogue and understand the importance of peace and security, and implement these values in the region, where there is tension."
He also said the UNWTO develops tourism to promote and enhance the importance of mutual understanding and development in the world.
"Tourism has become one of the main sectors of the economy," Abdel Ghaffar reminded.
"Over one billion people cross international borders each year. Three million people cross the borders of foreign countries every day."
"Our sector has become an indisputable means of enriching the global economy and improvement of people's lives," said the UNWTO official.
He said that thanks to the development of tourism, jobs are being created, inequality is fading away, and the level of political stability increases as governments attract investments and promote trade.
Abdel Ghaffar said tourism, today, provides five percent of the global GDP, while in the services sector some 30 percent of the global GDP accounts for this sector.
Aside from that, the UNWTO official said tourism is a powerful force that takes down barriers and facilitates the establishment of relations among nations.
"But tourism can flourish only in peace," he said further.
The 3rd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue is being held under the patronage of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The forum's partners are UNESCO and the UN Alliance of Civilizations.