The
President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, has
underlined the importance of tourism as a sector able to “generate
decent work and wealth across the entire country” on receiving the
UNWTO/World Travel &Tourism Council (WTTC) Open Letter on
Tourism.
“The
Travel & Tourism industry in Argentina makes an important
contribution to the national economy and is a powerful path towards
territorial development, given its ability to generate decent work
and wealth across the entire country,” said President Fernández.
The
President pointed to “economic development with social inclusion
and the conservation of heritage” as the cornerstone of Argentina’s
tourism policy. “We are driven by the vision of becoming South
America’s tourism destination of reference for our diversity and
quality of supply, based on the balanced development of the habitats
and identities of our people,” she said.
Meeting
with the President on the occasion of the presentation of Argentina’s
new Marketing Plan 2012-2015, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai
and WTTC President & CEO, David Scowsill presented an Open Letter
which calls on global leaders to support tourism as a driver of
economic growth and development.
“International
tourist arrivals to Argentina have almost doubled over the past
decade making the country the most visited destination in South
America, with international tourism accounting for over US$ 5 billion
a year in exports,” said Mr Rifai. “This is due not only to the
country’s enviable natural and cultural resources, but also thanks
to the correct tourism policies and the political support awarded to
the sector at the highest level. This was evidenced in 2010 when the
President created the first Ministry of Tourism in Argentina, and
again today on accepting the Open Letter.”
Mr
Scowsill said: “Latin America is a strong engine of growth to the
global Travel & Tourism industry. The new Marketing Plan for
Argentina will ensure that Argentina is one of the leading
destinations driving this growth. It was an honour to meet with
President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Her acceptance of the Open
Letter underlines Argentina’s commitment to support the development
of the Travel & Tourism industry.”
