Taleb Rifai

Jamaica Cares is a ground-breaking traveller protection and emergency services programme set to launch next month

Following a lack of a unified approach to health protocols and rapid testing, Rifai acknowledges that the private sector is under tremendous pressure and calls for governments to think out…

With the spread of coronavirus under control and domestic leisure travel growing, Middle East travel professionals are now looking to China to initiate international tourism. A joint…

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) has roped in Taleb Rifai, former secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) as a special advisor. Rifai, a…

Asian countries trump some of the well-known culinary destinations like France and Italy, according to westerners and fellow Asians.  

International tourism continued to strengthen in the first quarter of 2017, as travellers shrugged off security and economic concerns to cross borders in increasing numbers. According…

The UNWTO has held an event in Kazakhstan to discuss ways the tourism industry can help combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Industry leaders and policy-makers convened…

Spending by Chinese tourists in international destinations continued to rise sharply in 2016, as the world's most valuable outbound tourism market further strengthened its position.…

The secretary-general of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai, met with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently, to discuss the country's tourism development…

South Korea's Young-shim Dho is one of seven candidates in line to become the UN World Tourism Organization’s new secretary-general. Ms Dho is currently the chair of the UNWTO's…

2017 has been designated the "International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development" by the United Nations. First unveiled by the UN General Assembly, the initiative aims to drive…

The world welcomed 561 million international travellers in the first half of 2016, up 4% from the same period last year. According to the latest data from the UN’s World Tourism…

The ribbon was cut in Tokyo on Thursday to mark the opening of the Japan Association of Travel Agents' (JATA) T-Expo. Dignitaries from all over the world came together for the opening…

Indonesia has joined the UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). The move follows the launch of the country's first three "sustainable tourism…

Wine and tourism experts from around the world will gather in Georgia next month for the inaugural UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism. The event, which is being organised in…

Global visitor arrivals increased 4.4% in 2015 to reach a total of 1.18 billion, according to the latest data from the UNWTO. The result means that the world's destinations welcomed an…

The United Nations has approved plans to make 2017 the 'International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development'. The resolution, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 4 December,…

The total number of global tourist arrivals increased 4.3% in the first eight months of 2015, according to the latest data from the UNWTO. In its World Tourism Barometer, the UNWTO…

The UN World Tourism Organization has said it welcomes the adoption of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are aimed at alleviating global poverty and protecting the…

A new global agreement has been reached aimed at aligning the policies and goals of the tourism and aviation sectors. The new joint statement on "Tourism and Air Transport for…

The global number of international tourists increased 4% in the first half of 2015, to 538 million travellers. According to the latest data from UNWTO, this means that 21m more people…

The UN World Tourism Organization says it welcomes the recent tourism reforms outlined by the Chinese government. The country has committed to developing tourism in rural areas,…

The UN has called for greater investment in tourism projects in developing countries. Speaking at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, which was held in…

Global tourism arrivals continued to increase between January and April 2015, rising 4% to 332 million overnight visitors. According to the UNWTO, this marks a 16m increase in…

The high-profile UNWTO Ministerial Forum will once again take place at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2015. The event will also once again play host to ministers of tourism from…

The global travel and tourism industry was worth US$1.5 trillion in 2014, according to new figures released by the UNWTO. International tourism receipts reached a record US$1.25…

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Aviareps recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement will see both organisations join forces to…

Countries along the ancient Silk Road should improve visa processes if they are to maximise their combined tourism potential, the UN has urged. At the Silk Road Ministers’ Meeting, which…

The advance of new technology is driving a need for greater responsibility and accountability among travel and tourism companies, the UNWTO has warned. In his opening address at the…

The UNWTO has released a new report designed to formally establish the criteria for four- and five-star hotels. At present, different countries have their own classification criteria…

Global travellers are less restricted by visa regulations now than in previous years, a new study has found. According to the UNWTO's latest 'Visa Openness Report', 62% of the world’s…

International tourist arrivals reached 1.14 billion in 2014, according to the latest figures from the UNWTO. This marks an increase of 51 million travellers, or +4.7%, compared to…

The UNWTO has hailed a "milestone resolution" on sustainable tourism by the UN General Assembly. The resolution, which was reached in New York, "recognises the contribution of…

The global tourism industry is on track to set a new record in 2014, in terms of international visitor numbers. The latest data from the UNWTO shows that approximately 1.1 billion…

The global tourism industry remains on track for another record-breaking year, following a rise in international visitor numbers during the key summer months. The three northern…

Climate change needs to be at the "heart of the tourism agenda" in Southeast Asia, the UNWTO has said. The organisation recently hosted a major event in the Philippines that outlined…

The international tourism industry's total export earnings totalled US$1.4 trillion in 2013, or US$3.8 billion per day. According to the latest data from the UNWTO, revenues earned by…

Grand Hyatt Doha recently signed an agreement with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA). The partnership was for launch of the second phase of QTA's co-operation agreement with the United…

Routes and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently inked an agreement to work together to advance understanding of all matters that concern air connectivity and travel facilitation.…

Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is all set to launch the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030. The ceremony was held at the Katara Cultural Village and attended by secretary general…

The UNWTO has urged countries to remove restrictions on travel, to enable the tourism industry to reach its full potential. Addressing the Royal Aeronautical Society at the…

International cross-border tourism arrivals increased 5% in the first nine months of the year. According to the latest data from the UNWTO, 845 million international trips were taking…

Improving air connectivity through a closer coordination of tourism and aviation policies to ensure the sustained growth of the tourism sector and of air transport was the commitment…

The UN has called for a single tourist visa for countries in Central Asia, to boost tourism development along the ancient Silk Road. At the UNESCO and UNWTO-led 'Silk Roads Heritage…

The easing of visa regulations could create up to 2.6 million new jobs in the Asia Pacific region by 2016, a new study has found. The joint report the UN World Tourism Organization…

The important relationship between recreational travel and the world’s water resources is the focus of this years’ United Nations observance of World Tourism Day. The aim is to raise…

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s recommendations for accessible tourism have been approved by the general council. The issues, which were published in its ‘Accessible…

The head of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Jordanian national Taleb Rifai, has been re-elected for a second term as secretary-general of the body. The announcement was…

The 20th General Assembly of the UNWTO got underway at Victoria Fall, Zambia/Zimbabwe. The event addressed the global tourism community aiming to advance tourism´s sustainable growth. Key…

International tourist arrivals increased 5% during the first half of 2013, reaching almost 500 million, according the latest data from the UNWTO. This level of growth exceeded the…

The number of people travelling internationally continued to increase in the four months of 2013. With tourist numbers having broken the one billion-tourist barrier for the first time…

Aligned with Qatar's new tourism strategy, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) signed a 17-month agreement with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to develop policies, regulations and…

Asia Pacific and the Americas are the most "open" regions in terms of tourist visa requirements, a new UNWTO study has found. Based on a global evaluation of visa requirements, including…

International tourist arrivals grew by 4% in the first eight months of 2012, as the record year for the world's tourism industry continues. According to the latest data from the UNWTO, a…

The issue of visas will be top of the agenda this month when the world's tourism ministers gather at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London. Following the G20 Leaders’ declaration earlier…

The UNWTO has opened two more Sustainable Tourism Observatories in China. The new centres, located at the Kanas Lake Nature Reserve in the northwest region of Xinjiang, and the city of…

International tourism arrivals remain on track to reach the one billion mark by the end of year, according to the UNWTO. According to its half-year results, a record 467m tourists travelled…

The number of visitors to Japan has rebounded to a level higher than before the 11 March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. According to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO),…

Tourism is providing income for the conservation of the world’s wetlands, according to a new publication by the UNWTO. The 'Destination Wetlands: Supporting Sustainable Tourism'…

International tourist arrivals increased 5% to 285 million in the first four months of 2012, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Between January and April 2012, 15m more…

As the UNWTO prepares for World Tourism Day (WTD), the body has called on all tourism stakeholders to “play their part in reaching the United Nations goal of achieving sustainable energy for…

The G20 world leaders have recognised the importance of travel and tourism for the first time and pledged to work towards easing visa regulations. The Leaders’ Declaration from the annual…

Ahead of the G20 world leaders’ meeting in Mexico this week, the UNWTO and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) have called on the world leaders to ease visa restrictions and use…

Marking World Environment Day, the UNWTO has launched a new biodiversity project in Georgia. The project will aim to develop tourism products in mountain and freshwater ecosystems in four…

The UNWTO has said it welcomes the decision by the world's most developed countries to put visa processes at the top of their tourism agenda. A declaration by the Tourism Ministers…

The UNWTO has told G20 countries that easing visa processes could play a major role in stimulating economic growth and creating new jobs. According to research by the UNWTO and the World…

Myanmar has announced plan to rejoin the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The country's President, U Thein Sein, announced the move during an official visit to Myanmar by the UNWTO's…

Global international tourist arrivals increased 5.7% in the first two months of 2012. According to the latest results from the UNWTO, a total of 131 million international trips were taken…

In 2011, international tourism receipts exceeded US$1 trillion for the first time, up from US$928 billion in 2010. According to the latest UNWTO Tourism Barometer, receipts grew 3.8% last…