News
Annan: tourism can aid development
12 April 2006
United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan has spoken out to praise the role of tourism in encouraging the development of poorer nations and bringing people from around the world together.
Speaking at the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), in Madrid, he said that tourists heading to developing nations should be welcomed, but not offered 'Europe abroad'.
Recalling his own work on tourist projects in his native Ghana, Mr Annan said: 'We really need to get them to not only interact with the people but also to offer them authentic culture.'
He added that tourist developers should be encouraged as they often bring basic amenities such as electricity and clean water to communities.
UNWTO secretary-general Francesco Frangialli said as one of the biggest categories of international trade, tourism had 'the capacity to contribute decisively in the fight against poverty'.
© Adfero Ltd
Speaking at the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), in Madrid, he said that tourists heading to developing nations should be welcomed, but not offered 'Europe abroad'.
Recalling his own work on tourist projects in his native Ghana, Mr Annan said: 'We really need to get them to not only interact with the people but also to offer them authentic culture.'
He added that tourist developers should be encouraged as they often bring basic amenities such as electricity and clean water to communities.
UNWTO secretary-general Francesco Frangialli said as one of the biggest categories of international trade, tourism had 'the capacity to contribute decisively in the fight against poverty'.
© Adfero Ltd
