Tourism Ministers of Costa Rica and Cameroon join the growing list of top level officials to come together at the 6th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) International Conference on Tourism Statistics slated from June 21 to 23.
Costa Rica’s Minister Mauricio Ventura Aragon and Cameroon’s Minister Bello Bouba Maigari will be joining the earlier confirmed counterparts, to wit: Sri Lanka’s Minister John Amaratunga, Fiji’s Minister Faiyaz Koya, Zimbabwe’s Minister Walter Mzembi, Thailand’s Minister Kobarn Wattanavrangkul and Seychelle’sMinister Anne Lafortune.
“The confirmation of more tourism ministers and foreign delegates is a strong sign of confidence in the country. We will push through with the event where we will arrive at meaningful agreements, showcase our sustainable tourism projects in Balesin and Puerto Princesa City and extend our warmest welcome,” Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo said.
UNWTO Secretary-General Dr. Taleb Rifai, who expressed confidence in the Philippines in an earlier statement, leads the 249-strong foreign delegation confirmed for the conference that will tackle policy initiatives on developing measurement and benchmarks for sustainable tourism.
Chief statisticians and deputy ministers are also set to partake in the conference in line with this year’s celebration of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development along with the earlier announced delegates from Belarus, Kenya, Malaysia, Oman, South Africa, and Indonesia.
International participants from 76 countries, representing tourism and statistical agencies, tourism associations and enterprises, and international organizations, will meet with 299 local delegates from national government agencies, local government units and the academe.