WELL-DEVELOPED TOURISM INDUSTRY CAN SERVE AS MAGNET TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND CREATE STABLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN POOR COUNTRIES

17 October 1997

Press Release
SG/SM/6364

WELL-DEVELOPED TOURISM INDUSTRY CAN SERVE AS MAGNET TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND CREATE STABLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN POOR COUNTRIES

19971017 Secretary-General Says in Message To Twelfth Assembly of World Tourism Organization in Istanbul

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization, to be delivered by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Dunja Pastizzi-Ferencic, on 20 October in Istanbul:

I take great pleasure in conveying my best wishes to the twelfth General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization. My commitments at the United Nations own General Assembly, currently under way in New York, prevent me from greeting you personally here in Istanbul. This glorious city on the Bosphorus, which last year hosted the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), epitomizes all that a visitor yearns for: spectacular beauty; a rich and vibrant culture and history; openness of spirit; warm hospitality; state-of-the-art hotel and communications facilities. At the crossroads of civilizations, Istanbul has for centuries been a "must-see" destination for travellers to this part of the world.

Today's ceremony is significant to the United Nations family, and to me personally, in several ways.

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the cooperation agreement between the United Nations and the World Tourism Organization. This relationship has flourished through contacts with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) -- each an important component of the United Nations system. Their activities and expertise have contributed to the advancement of the tourism industry in many countries, while helping to reinforce mechanisms for sustainable economic and social development.

I was especially pleased that the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, Francesco Frangialli, was able to participate in the "Earth Summit + Five" -- the special session of the General Assembly held in June to

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review progress since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The spirit of his address -- and his view that "the strong, stable and inescapable growth of international tourism makes the recommendations of Agenda 21 so topical and relevant, and their implementation so urgent" -- reflected concerns shared by governments, international organizations, and civil society everywhere. His frank assessment of negative conditions that directly impact tourism -- questionable labour practices, child exploitation, degradation of the environment, prostitution -- reflected many of the priorities of the United Nations system today.

A key objective of the United Nations is to ensure that nations are not marginalized by the process of globalization. In many impoverished countries, a well-developed tourism industry could serve as a magnet for international investment, generate precious foreign exchange and create stable employment opportunities.

I have experienced first-hand the dynamics of the tourism sector and its vital role in a growing economy. During my sole break in 30 years of United Nations service -- from 1974 to 1976 -- I was the Managing Director of the Ghana Tourist Development Company.

In welcoming tourists from other regions, countries seek to present the "best" of themselves, to show all that is unique in their societies, while maintaining the dignity of their traditions, respect for cultural heritage and antiquities, and preservation of the ecology, wildlife and natural treasures - - forests, rivers, lakes, mountains. This is crucial not only to the economic and social development of the country itself, but also to ensure visits by tourists in the future.

I understand that your agenda here in Istanbul includes a "White Paper" on the future structure and direction of the World Tourism Organization. In July this year, I put forward extensive proposals for reform of the United Nations. These recommendations are now before our General Assembly. We aspire to a United Nations that can act with greater unity of purpose, greater coherence of efforts; a United Nations that empowers both governments and people to realize goals through collaboration that might otherwise elude them; a United Nations that will express the collective aspirations of humankind even as it delivers practical benefits.

I am confident that whatever the future direction of your organization, it will lead it to continued coordination with programmes and agencies of the United Nations, regional bodies, international communications networks and other actors in the global arena. I wish this twelfth session of your General Assembly all success.

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