Speaking at the Tourism Investment Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR), UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai encouraged companies to continue investing in Africa and its growing tourism markets (Madrid, Spain, 19 January).

International tourist arrivals grew by over 4% in 2011 to 980 million, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. With growth expected to continue in 2012, at a somewhat slower rate, international tourist arrivals are on track to reach the milestone one billion mark later this year.

Signalling the beginning of the international tourism calendar for 2012, UNWTO will hold a number of activities at the International Tourism Trade Fair, FITUR, addressing key issues facing the sector in times of uncertainty (Madrid, Spain, 18-22 January, 2012).

Despite the downward revision of the countries' economic growth forecast, US tour operators predict US travelers will return to Europe in growing numbers. This is the main finding of a new World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)/European Travel Commission (ETC) report on US outbound travel presented at the World Travel Market with the support of the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) (London, ...

"The on-going changes in the Middle East and North Africa bring enormous opportunities," said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, opening the event. "Rule of law and democracy will empower local communities, opening the door for these to be better engaged in the process of tourism development. There will surely be a more transparent business environment, increased support for smaller businesses...

A full agenda of UNWTO activities will be taking place at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM), ranging from the annual Ministers’ Summit to a seminar on the future of tourism in the Middle East and North Africa (London, United Kingdom, 7-10 October 2011).

"Over the last two years UNWTO has embarked on a gradual but determined reform process" said Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General, presenting the White Paper to the Assembly.

International tourist arrivals are forecast to reach 1.8 billion by 2030 according to the newly released UNWTO long-term forecast, Tourism Towards 2030. The report, presented on the occasion of the 19th session of the UNWTO General Assembly, confirms that international tourism will continue to grow in a sustained manner in the next two decades (8-14 October 2011, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea).

Ten years since the adoption of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism by the United Nations General Assembly, the first International Congress on Ethics and Tourism has opened with calls to intensify efforts to place ethics at the core of tourism development (Madrid, Spain, 15-16, September).

Following three years of testing and extensive research, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and its partners have launched an online tool to help hotels evaluate their energy consumption and assist in improving their energy management and cutting costs.