For the first time in history, the UNWTO and ICAO are joining together to organise a meeting for African Ministers of Tourism and also for Ministers of Transport. Ministers will sit together and look at air transport with tourism in mind.
Mr Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UNWTO confirmed Seychelles will host the historic event. The Secretary General on the UNWTO said that this meeting of Tourism and Transport Ministers will and should help align Civil Aviation and Tourism. Mr Rifai went on to say that tours must be facilitated if it is to be developed and consolidated.
Elsia Grandcourt, the Director for Africa at the UNWTO said, "I am pleased to inform you that the issue of air transport will be taken to the Regional Seminar to be held in April, in Angola, on the occasion of the 56th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa which in turn is one of the preparatory activities for the mint UNWTO and ICAO African Tourism and Transport Ministerial Conference, to be held in Seychelles later this year. An increased coordination between tourism and air transport policies is central to tourism development in general, bur even more in Africa where access is still a major barrier to growth. We trust this plan of activities will help us advance this objective".
On his part Miquel Alimbaou of Turkish Airlines said that competition for airlines stimulates the market and grows the traffic. "Competition is good and keeps the airlines up to date" Mr Alimbaou said.
