The presentation of the 2013 UNWTO Awards, a Ministerial Debate on the future of tourism in the Middle East and North Africa and a business-to-business event connecting African tourism companies with Spanish and Portuguese counterparts are among the many UNWTO activities planned for the International Tourism Trade Fair, FITUR (Madrid, Spain, 22-26 January 2014).
UNWTO Press Conference – Latest International Tourism Figures and Outlook for 2014 (20 January, 16.00 – 17.00, UNWTO Headquarters): FITUR 2014 will be preceded by UNWTO’s annual press conference at the Organization’s headquarters in Madrid at which UNWTO will present the latest edition of its World Tourism Barometer, providing an overview of international tourism results for 2013 and forecasts for 2014.
VII Tourism Leadership Forum of EXCELTUR: Tourism, a Key Driver to Support the Country Brand (21 January, 09.15-19.00, FITUR Madrid): UNWTO joins the Alliance for the Excellency in Tourism (EXCELTUR), in organizing the 7th Tourism Leadership Forum under the theme “Tourism, a key driver to support the country brand”. Gathering tourism leaders from the public and the private sector worldwide, the forum aims to raise awareness of tourism/s contribution to the external reputation of a country and the development and consolidation of its welfare. The Forum will be opened by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, and closed by His Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias.
FITUR Green 2014 – Innovative and Sustainable Management: a Commitment to the Tourist (22 -24 January, FITUR Madrid): The fifth edition of FITUR Green is being held under the theme “Innovative and Sustainable Management: a Commitment to the Tourist”. Organized by the Instituto Tecnologico Hotelero(ITH), UNWTO and FITUR in collaboration with the Habitat Futura Group, FITUR Green will examine the role of organizations, companies, government agencies and tourists in the creation, development and growth of sustainable tourism destinations. UNWTO participation at FITUR Green includes roundtables on the topics of Innovation for Sustainable Tourism and Sustainability and Competitiveness, as well as the presentation of the project “Towards Zero Energy Hotels”.
UNWTO Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner (22 January, 18.00-22.00, FITUR Madrid): Recognizing knowledge creation, dissemination and innovative applications in tourism, the UNWTO Awards are the flagship awards for the global tourism sector. On the occasion of its tenth anniversary, the winners of the UNWTO Awards will be unveiled at FITUR, celebrating outstanding contributions made in the field of tourism.
Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR) (23 January, 10.00 – 19.30, FITUR Madrid): INVESTOUR for Africa, organized by UNWTO together with FITUR and Casa Africa, will hold its fifth edition at FITUR 2014, promoting sustainable tourism development in Africa. The event, consisting of a seminar and business-to-business meetings, allows African tourism projects to present their offer to potential Spanish and Portuguese companies and discuss business and cooperation opportunities. At the same time, the event will address investment in Africa’s hotel infrastructure as well as air connectivity and visa facilitation as key factors for continued tourism development in the region.
Ministerial Discussion Forum on the Future of Tourism in the MENA Region (23 January, 16.00 – 17.30, FITUR Madrid): Organized jointly by UNWTO and Casa Arabe, the Ministerial Discussion Forum will focus on future prospects of Tourism in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as on strategies and measures to accelerate and consolidate tourism recovery, sustain growth, boost competitiveness and promote investment in the region. Confirmed speakers include the Ministers of Tourism of Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia
