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Commonwealth Tourism Centre Proposal to be Discussed by Ministers in Nigeria

28 April 2005

The second Commonwealth Tourism Ministers Meeting (CTMM), taking place from 27 to 29 April 2005 in Abuja, Nigeria, will consider an offer by Malaysia to host a new Commonwealth Tourism Centre.

"The Commonwealth already plays a strong role in development and the war on poverty but we must do more through tourism..."
Winston Cox
Commonwealth countries are seeking to realise the full potential of tourism for growth, sustainable development and poverty reduction. The new Centre would seek to boost information flows and tourism promotion initiatives for the benefit of all members of the association.

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Winston Cox said at the opening of the CTMM that the Commonwealth Tourism Centre will help to "boost two-way trade in tourism and encourage a greater flow of tourists from non-Commonwealth countries to Commonwealth countries. The Centre can be very effective if it focuses on three important areas -- joint promotion; ways of increasing linkages and reducing leakages; and the provision of accurate information for travel advisories."

Mr Cox stressed the need for the Centre to develop close collaboration and co-ordination with other organisations such as the UN World Tourism Organisation to improve efficiency. Enhancing security, including providing funds to assist poor countries upgrade security measures, is essential to support tourism. He added that clear and targeted travel advisories, which are reviewed and updated against changing realities, are useful to ensure public safety.  

The 53 members of the Commonwealth include countries with a strong demand for holidays abroad as well as those with potential to attract more tourism.

The parallel Commonwealth Tourism Business Forum (27-28 April), organised by the Commonwealth Business Council, will focus on investment in tourism. An interactive session between ministers and business leaders is expected to examine how the outstanding potential of member states in this sector can be showcased to investors.

 

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 232 27 April 2005

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