UNWTO Expresses Solidarity With Mauritania
MADRID, Spain, January 12, 2008. UNWTO's Secretary-General, Francesco Frangialli, expressed his solidarity with the people of Mauritania in the face of the recent events leading to the cancellation of the Dakar Rally and its consequent effect on tourism. Eight stages of the race were scheduled to be held in Mauritania.
The Secretary-General confirmed that UNWTO is currently advising the Government of Mauritania and will continue to support the Ministry of Tourism in its efforts to develop its nascent tourism sector which has seen a steady growth in recent years.
Tourism, with its strong ecological and cultural potential, is of strategic importance to Mauritania enabling it to diversify its economy and at the same time to promote its culture through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) classified World Heritage sites of Chinguetti, Oudane, Tichit and Oualata. These sites are now made accessible enriching the popular ?desert tourism?.
UNWTO is currently finalizing in close cooperation with the United Nations Development Fund a new national plan for tourism development of the country. The basic concept of the plan is in complete harmony with the UN Millennium Development Goals of poverty alleviation, climate change, promotion of gender equality and sustainable development.
UNWTO expresses its confidence in the capacity of the Government of Mauritania to overcome in the very short term the difficulties it is currently facing and looks forward to closer collaboration with its Members and the international community to assist Mauritania to achieve these goals.
For further information please contact:
Media Section
Tel: (34) 91-567-8194 / (34) 91-567-8100 /
Email: comm@unwto.org
Web: www.unwto.org
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