United Nations World Tourism Organization Leader to Speak at EHTEC 2010

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. February 12, 2010

AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (February 11, 2010) - United Nations World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) John Kester is scheduled to provide a tourism and travel update during the Closing Session of the 2010 European Hospitality Technology Educational Conference (EHTEC). As head of the Market Trends and Competitiveness Section of the World Tourism Organization — located in Madrid, Spain — Kester monitors short-term and long-term trends in tourism; marketing and promotional techniques; and competiveness as formulated in the General Programme of Work of UNWTO. EHTEC 2010, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), is February 14-16 at the Amsterdam Hilton in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

During his EHTEC session, Kester will evaluate the current trends in the tourism and travel industry. He will discuss the latest and upcoming trends within the travel sector, as well as how the recession truly is affecting the state of the travel and tourism industry.

“One of the main reasons EHTEC delegates are gathering next week is to exchange ideas and strategies, sharing real approaches that satisfy today's hotel guests,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP. “Kestor's insight offers a genuine look at the state of the industry, helping hoteliers match their business strategies with the current state of the travel sector.”

Kester is involved in the development of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer , a publication with the aim of monitoring the short-term evolution of tourism issued three times a year, and is currently involved in the forthcoming update of the long-term forecast Tourism Towards 2030 . On behalf of UNWTO, he participates in the development of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF) published yearly in The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report .

EHTEC 2010 offers two full days of focused technology education and various networking opportunities with peers and vendors. The EHTEC Advisory Council, a group of global hospitality experts, designed the conference education program to highlight tough technology issues like the recession's impact on technology, cloud computing, mobile distribution, green/sustainable technology and more. For more information about EHTEC 2010, visit www.ehtec.eu or send inquiries to [email protected] , call (800) 646-4387 or +1 (512) 249-5333.

About The World Tourism Organization
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO; www.unwto.org ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations and the leading international organization in the field of tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how and plays a central and decisive role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, paying particular attention to the interests of developing countries. Its membership includes 161 countries and territories and more than 390 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities. UNWTO is committed to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, geared toward reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development. hoteleros y los tour operadores).

About HFTP
HFTP, Austin, Texas, USA and Maastricht, The Netherlands, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP provides first class educational opportunities, research, and publications to more than 4,800 members globally including, the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC--founded in 1972. HFTP also awards the only hospitality specific certifications for accounting and technology --the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in the USA as the National Association of Hotel Accountants. For more information, visit www.hftp.org.