EU – Baltic States, Forum, Lithuania, Tourism

Travel and Tourism generates one in twelve jobs worldwide and accounts for 30% of the global exports of services. Through its direct, indirect and induced impacts, Travel and Tourism contributes 9% of global GDP. This makes Travel and Tourism a vital contributor to the global development agenda, affording it a unique role in building strong, sustainable and balanced global growth.

This is the main message Taleb Rifai, secretary general of UN WTO, organization of 156 members, will bring to Lithuania leaders – President, Parliament Speaker, Minister of Economy.

Rifai will participate in 85 European Travel Commission General Meeting and 12 European Tourism Forum in 15-18, October. These main European tourism events are included in the official experts meeting calendar of Lithuanian Presidency to the European Union Council.

50 representatives of European tourism ministers and heads of administrations will take part in European Travel Commission General Meeting. In its agenda – approval of annual report 2012 and balance sheet, activity report 2013. ETC president Manuel Butler will present Action Programme 2014. Approval of new ETC Statutes is also in the agenda of the meeting.

ETC, established in 1948, unites 28 European countries, as well as Iceland, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey. Lithuania became member of ETC in 2002.