The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) have conveyed their strong support of Thailand and its tourism industry as the country returns to normalcy following political unrest earlier in the year. Attending a Special Meeting on International Solidarity with Thai Tourism, both parties commended the recovery measures undertaken by the Thai Government and the collaboration of the Thai private sector to support tourism in the country and expressed the unwavering solidarity of the international tourism community.

UNWTO welcomes that several countries have recently placed tourism higher on their national political and economic agendas. Argentina is the most recent example with the establishment of the first Argentinean Ministry of Tourism. The move represents a further step towards mainstreaming tourism as an industry that delivers on economic growth, job creation and sustainable development.

International tourist arrivals grew by 7% in the first four months of 2010 according to the latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This growth confirms the recovery trend beginning in the last quarter of 2009 and comes despite the challenging conditions of recent months. While April’s results were affected by the week-long closure of European airspace, globally the pace of recovery is faster than initially expected, driven largely by emerging markets. For the full year 2010, UNWTO forecasts international tourist arrivals to grow by 3% to 4%.

Since the last meeting of the UNWTO Executive Council, in October 2009, global economic prospects have improved steadily, with tourism demand also regaining momentum. Held directly following the UNWTO Commission for the Americas, the 88th Session of the Executive Council was an opportunity for UNWTO Members to reflect on the future challenges facing the tourism industry and how the Organization can more effectively address them (Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, 6-8 June 2010).

The President of Uruguay, H.E. José Mujica, has highlighted the enormous potential of the tourism sector to stimulate growth and development. Meeting during an official visit to the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, the UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai stressed that Uruguay is a leading example in the sector.