The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Ministry of Tourism of Greece and the Region of Central Macedonia have partnered together and arranged the organization of the 8th UNWTO International Meeting on Silk Road Tourism in the Northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki, on October 10-12 2018.

After joining the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) (22nd UNWTO General Assembly, September 2017, in Chengdu, China) along with Lithuania, Russia, Romania and Azerbaijan, for the 2018 – 2021 four-year term, and becoming its member (of the board) for the first time, Greece will host this International meeting dedicated to tourism on the Silk Road also for the first time.

It was decided that Greece would host the event after the competent Tourism Minister, Elena Kountoura and the General Secretary of the Organisation, Zurab Pololikashvili, signed the relevant agreement in May 2018.

After being elected in the UNWTO’s Executive Council, Greece’s Kountoura had said in an announcement:

“Greece is a leading global tourist destination and our participation for the first time in the Executive Board of the World Tourism Organization symbolizes the recognition of our country’s strengthened image internationally”, also thanking the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias for his support to the cause as well as all other member countries of the UNWTO that showcased their faith in Greece by supporting its candidacy.

“The Tourism Ministry”, Mrs Kountoura had then added, “is promoting a series of targeted actions that fulfill our goal of making Greece even more active and to have an essential role in international institutions and associations of tourism and to have a strong presence and representation abroad.”

The Member States of the Silk Road, the co-operating WCO members and the international bodies representing the public and private sectors that will participate in the upcoming International Meeting, will also have the chance to attend a Round Table organised with the participation of ministers of member-states as well as targeted sessions on the role and interconnectivity of historical silk paths in the international scene.

Source: Lida Filippakis/balkaneu