• Commonwealth:
• Improving the quality and efficiency of the tourism industry

Improving the quality and efficiency of the tourism industry

6 August 2008

Secretary-General says the Commonwealth Tourism Centre can play a complementary role in enhancing the development prospects of Commonwealth countries

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said the Commonwealth Tourism Centre (CTC) is a valued part of people-centred Commonwealth activities. He was commenting following his visit to the CTC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 6 August 2008.

The Secretary-General said the CTC can play a contributory and complementary role in enhancing the development prospects and capacity of Commonwealth countries through stronger tourism sectors.

“We appreciate the lead taken by the Malaysian government in providing considerable support to the CTC since its establishment in 2006. This centre can help facilitate travel and tourism within the Commonwealth. There is potential for the CTC to co-ordinate information-sharing, best practices, marketing and promotions, training and investments in the tourism sector,” the Secretary-General said.

Mr Sharma noted that tourism, which accounts for a significant proportion of GDP in some Commonwealth member states, can benefit from CTC’s initiatives, aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of tourism services.

The Secretary-General added that the launch of the 1st Commonwealth Conference on Sport Tourism in Sabah, East Malaysia, in May this year was a commendable effort in promoting leisure sport, eco-tourism and sustainable tourism development.

CTC Director-General Abdul Rahman Shaari briefed the Secretary-General on recent and future activities which will include a Commonwealth destination guide, a tourism journal, a photo contest and exhibition, tourism seminars and training workshops. He said the CTC also plans to develop its website into a portal for networking through information exchange and dissemination among Commonwealth tourism boards.

Mr Sharma said the internet portal can attract tourism sector representatives and interested individuals through interactivity and the provision of relevant information that can sharpen the attraction and competitiveness of Commonwealth destinations. The Secretary-General encouraged the CTC to leverage from international trade fairs and conferences, as well as ministerial meetings to promote the Commonwealth as a culturally rich and diverse destination of choice. He also encouraged the centre to continue examining its core business to ensure that its activities add value and meet the specific needs of Commonwealth countries.