Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara, said that the selection of Mexico as the venue for this important event is an honor for Mexico amongst the UNWTO member countries.

Secretary Guevara noted that amid the global financial crisis, the tourism industry remains a lever of economic development and so the work of the UNWTO in Campeche is to identify mechanisms to boost tourism.

The proceedings of the 94th Session of the Executive Council of the UNWTO will be chaired by Secretary General, Taleb Rifai, who has praised the warmth and professionalism of Mexico following international events such as the 4th Meeting of Tourism Ministers (T20) and the World Travel and Tourism Council’s 1st Regional Summit of the Americas which took place in Mexico last May.

In securing the opportunity to host this meeting, Mexico competed with countries such as Serbia and Egypt. Representatives from the UNWTO agreed that Campeche is an excellent place to hold the event, because it showcases the attractions and cultural richness of Mexico’s Mayan World. This year marks a special moment in the Mayan calendar when one era comes to an end and another begins.

Since October 2011, Mexico has held a place on the Executive Council, which is the highest decision-making body of the UNWTO, which identifies measures necessary for the implementation of decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly.

Mexico’s position in the UNWTO will help promote a multi-destination policy in the Americas thereby increasing the number of visitors to the region.

In parallel, the XIV National Congress and VIII International Congress of Tourism Research and the Americas Regional Meeting of the UNWTO Knowledge Network, will take place in Campeche. These events will be attended by researchers and scholars from around the world.