2010 is expected to be a year of transformation. The challenges facing the tourism sector in a post-crisis scenario set the framework for the activities and events organized by UNWTO during this year’s ITB Travel Trade Show (Berlin, Germany, 10-14 March 2010).

South Africa as host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup set the ideal stage for UNWTO/South Africa inaugural Summit on Tourism, Sport and Mega Events (Johannesburg, 24-26 February). The summit, attended by some 450 delegates, from 35 countries, provided a first-of-its-kind platform for best practice and knowledge sharing towards mega-events excellence.

In a letter to the Chilean tourism authorities, the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, conveyed the Organization’s “solidarity with the people of Chile” after the earthquake that hit Chile on 27 February.

UNWTO welcomes the outcome of the First T.20 Ministers’ Meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa (22-24 February) to debate the contribution of tourism to the global agenda, in particular to the ongoing process of supporting economic recovery and the transformation towards a greener and more sustainable economy.