“Tourism is today the third largest export industry in the world after chemicals and fuels,” Taleb Rifai said on Tuesday in a video message to the opening ceremony of an event held in Tehran to mark World Tourism Day, September 27. "Last year alone, 1.235 million travelers crossed international borders in one single year. By 2030, this 1.2 billion will become 1.8 billion,” Rifai added.

Aziz Boolani, CEO Serena hotels, in his introductory remarks, spoke of the initiatives taken by Serena hotels over the past few years and their contribution to the society. The focus was on adventure diplomacy, sports diplomacy and public diplomacy and how Serena has managed to bring these sectors of the corporate and diplomatic community together for a cause.

VisitBritain has announced the appointment of Gavin Landry as its Executive Vice President for the Americas, with a focus on driving new and repeat visitor growth to Britain from Canada, the U.S., and Brazil. Landry joins VisitBritain from New York State where he was Executive Director of Tourism, having led the iconic I LOVE NEW YORK (NY) program, and where he developed and implemented strategies to support growth of the tourism industry. With tourism as a critical part of the UK Government’s agenda ahead of future trade deals, Landry will continue to develop and strengthen strategic partn

In 2016, over 1.3 billion international tourists spent an estimated US$1.4 trillion. That’s the equivalent of Australia’s gross domestic product, dispersed around the world. [...] Governments can reduce leakage by thinking strategically about procurement, emphasizing local business development, integrating supply chains and investing in education and training to prepare workers for tourism jobs.

Three countries can now jointly market their tourism products online with the launch of the first joint East African destination portal, visiteastafrica.org. Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO Betty Radier joined top tourism officials from Uganda and Rwanda in unveiling the platform at the Pearl of Africa Trade Expo held in Uganda at the weekend, a KTB statement issued on Sunday said. 

Myanmar's hope of becoming a travel hub in Asia would be far from a reality if the nation fails to rebrand itself as a destination for international visitors, according to a panel discussion held on Friday. Tint Thwin, director-general of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism, said now is time to focus on rebranding so that foreigners choose Myanmar as a place for leisure.

A stroll around the UAE section at the recent World Travel Market (WTM) in London confirms the country’s tourism industry is in rude health. Every booth, table and VIP area of each opulent stand was occupied, with Emirati representatives in deep discussions with tourism professionals from all over the world. [...] While Dubai and, more recently Abu Dhabi, have both become firmly placed on the international tourism map, the country’s smaller emirates are also pushing to attract more overseas visitors, as evidenced by their presence at the WTM.

For years Kayan women and girls have been driven across the border by poverty and conflict to earn money posing in holidaymakers' pictures in purpose-built Thai villages decried by rights campaigners as "human zoos". Now several have returned to their remote native Panpet area in Kayah state, Myanmar, with an entrepreneurial plan to reverse the flow of departures [...] from decades of solitude.