TEHRAN – On Sunday, Iran’s tourism minister Ezzatollah Zarghami arrived in Uzbekistan to join the 25th session of the World Tourism Organization’s general assembly, which will be held in Samarkand on October 18 and 19.

During his five-day visit, Zarghami is set to hold talks with sector leaders from various countries to discuss issues, challenges, and opportunities related to tourism.

Along with high-level delegates and ministers from more than 150 countries, the UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili will also present his report to all members, highlighting how core priorities have been advanced over the past two years, with a special focus on tourism investments, education, and innovation.

Over the past couple of days, a number of international figures have made comments on the importance of tourism as a tool to cement cultures and the global economy.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, says: “Tourism brings progress. As one of the biggest sectors in the global economy, it has great power to bridge cultures, generate new opportunities, and promote sustainable development. But tourism is also impacted by interlinked global challenges. I know that we can count on the UN World Tourism Organization to carry this vision forward and together build a better future for people and the planet.”

Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said: “The significance of tourism as a tool for economic development cannot be overstated… The Member States of UNWTO are admirably working to transform tourism and build a more resilient and sustainable sector. (UNCTAD) will continue to work closely with UNWTO around our shared goals and vision.”

Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) says: “Thanks to new technologies and our shared commitments to innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship, UNWTO and ICAO will continue to leverage the full potential of global tourism growth to empower young people with high-value jobs and to lead other industry sectors by example, focused on people, planet and prosperity.”

European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, says: “Tourism in Europe and around the world has rebounded strongly from the devastating effects of COVID-19. However, amidst this discovery, we must not forget the lessons of the pandemic nor ignore the global challenges our economies and societies continue to face… there is no better place to do so than the uniquely diverse gathering of global tourism leaders across the public, private, non-profit, and academic sectors, that personify the UNWTO General Assembly.”

According to the latest United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer, foreign tourist arrivals in Iran reached some 2.93 million between January and July 2023.

AFM