Eighth International Tourism Exhibition opened in Shiraz

The 8th International Tourism Exhibition was opened in Shiraz here Wednesday in the presence of ambassadors to Iran from 30 countries, tourism officials, mangers, and activists in this industry.

According to IRNA Cultural Desk, the lectures at the opening ceremony of the 8th Shiraz International Tourism Exhibition were given simultaneous with the addresses on the birthday anniversary of the 12th Imam, Mahdi, at Hafez Cultural and Artistic Complex.

Tourism Deputy of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, Manouchehr Jahanian, Fars Province Governor General Hossein Sadeq-Abedin, Provisional Friday Prayers Imam of Shiraz Hojjatoleslam Mohammad-Hassan Moradi, and Managing Director of Fras Province Cultural Affairs, Handicrafts and Tourism Fereidoun Fa’ali were among the keynote lecturers at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Managing Director of the Asian and Oceania Region of the World Tourism Organization Harry Hwang, too, read the message of that organization’s Managing Director Talib Rifaie, issued on the occasion of the 8th Shiraz International Tourism Exhibition.

The audience at Hafez Hall where then transferred to the Permanent Ground of Fars Province Exhibitions in Golestan Township to visit the Shiraz Tourism Exhibition.

The 8th International Shiraz Tourism Exhibition participated by activists in various parts of tourism industry from Iran and nine foreign countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Thailand, Oman, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates would be open for enthusiastic of Iran tours and world tourism for four days.

The exhibition has various sections, such as booths of travel and tourism agencies, recreational and leisure centers, air travel and transportation companies’ offices, special tourism periodicals’ booths, handicrafts’ cooperatives, etc. which would offer services to the visitors.

Shiraz International Tourism Exhibition is the only special exhibition of the country which is registered in the calendar of the World Tourism Organization.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.

UNWTO encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, to maximize tourism’s socio-economic contribution while minimizing its possible negative impacts, and is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), geared towards reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development.

UNWTO generates market knowledge, promotes competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for development through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries around the world.

UNWTO’s membership includes 155 countries, 7 territories and over 400 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

Source: IRNA