Indonesia President becomes member of Global Leaders for Tourism

The President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has become the first Asian head of state to join the ongoing World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global L

The President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has become the first Asian head of state to join the ongoing World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign.

โ€œToday, tourism plays a significant role not only in the preservation of cultural values, but also in increasing peopleโ€™s welfare,โ€ said President Yudhoyono, โ€œTourism has provided job opportunities for millions of people across the globe; is one of leading exports of developing countries; and is a key stimulus in the transformation to a green economy.โ€

As part of the Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign, UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai presented the Indonesian President with an open letter setting out the economic, development, and environmental opportunities offered by tourism.

โ€œWe are delighted that Indonesia has joined this important campaign to raise international awareness of the relevance of travel and tourism,โ€ said Mr. Rifai, โ€œIn doing so, Indonesia is sending out a strong message that it recognizes tourismโ€™s potential as a force for development.โ€

Accepting the letter, President Yudhoyono expressed the willingness of Indonesia โ€“ with 7 million international tourists and US$7 billion in receipts in 2010 โ€“ to capitalize on the โ€œincreasingly important role of tourism.โ€

โ€œThe importance of travel and tourism as a driver of Indonesiaโ€™s economy is clear. Over the next ten years, travel and tourismโ€™s contribution to the countryโ€™s GDP is expected to grow by nearly 6% per year,โ€ said David Scowsill, President and CEO, WTTC.

โ€œThe strong message of support for the industry embodied in todayโ€™s acceptance of the open letter shows the governmentโ€™s commitment to realizing travel and tourismโ€™s potential to create jobs, generate exports, and stimulate investment.โ€

Through the Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign, UNWTO and WTTC are jointly presenting heads of state and government around the world an open letter, which calls on them to acknowledge tourismโ€™s key role in delivering on sustained and balanced growth and to prioritize the sector high in national policies in order to maximize its potential. The open letter outlines travel and tourismโ€™s value as one of the worldโ€™s largest generators of sustainable enterprises and decent jobs, a powerful driver of socio-economic growth and development, and a key player in the transformation to the green economy.

The campaign has already received the support of the Presidents of Mexico, South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Hungary.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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