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“TOURCOM" AN IDEAL VENUE TO PROMOTE AFRICA TOURISM The World Tourism Organization has decided to convene the First World Conference on Tourism Communications (TOURCOM) in January 2004. Economic factors, safety and security issues related to the war in Iraq, and the transformation of WTO into a specialized agency of the United Nations are the main reasons for the postponement. The Conference was originally planned for 2 - 3 July 2003. Prominent experts on tourism communications, promotion, branding and crisis communications have confirmed readiness to take floor at the Conference. This decision was taken in response to the concerns expressed by many tourism and media professionals regarding the current political and economic situation in the world, especially in the Middle East. However, the war in Iraq is only the most obvious factor leading to this rather unwelcome step.
There are three main reasons for the adjournment of TOURCOM, says WTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli, who underlines, however, that "the Conference will in no way be cancelled". The tourism industry in the world has recently experienced dramatic shifts in demand and supply, economic recession in the most important markets and a restructuring of civil aviation, which raise several new questions for tourism communications and promotion. In addition, the war in Iraq has changed the existing equilibrium in international relations, especially in the field of safety and security in tourism. The third important consideration is the transformation of WTO into a specialized agency of the United Nations. ECOSOC approval of the upgrade of WTO's status in the UN is expected for July 2003, but must be confirmed by both General Assemblies in New York (UN) and Beijing (WTO) later in the fall. "All of this means that we face a demanding challenge to re-evaluate the global tourism communications system. We can collect enough information in the second half of the year and share much more updated knowledge in January next year than we could in July," says Mr. Frangialli. The programme of the conference will remain more or less the same as indicated previously (see TOURCOM Infonote I. on the WTO website) and the host city will still be Madrid. The TOURCOM Organizing Committee will continue to collect participation forms and keep delegates informed. The exact dates of TOURCOM will be announced as soon as possible, but it is expected that the Conference will coincide with the FITUR travel fair and will be convened at the premises of Madrid's IFEMA fairgrounds, on the second and third day of the exhibition. Thus, the organizers of TOURCOM expect an even bigger number of delegates, including several ministers and other high-ranking officials of the tourism public sector, entrepreneurs and journalists. More information: WTO Press and Communications Section Tel. (+34) 91-567-8191, Tel. (+34) 91-567-8193, Fax: (+34) 91-567-8218
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