Business Reporter
United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s Executive Council, the organisation’s highest decision-making body, has adopted a resolution expressing its satisfaction with the signing of the Trilateral Agreement for the hosting of the 20th session of its General Assembly scheduled for August 24 to 29 2013 at the Victoria Falls.

The Trilateral Agreement was signed by the President of Zimbabwe, Cde Robert Mugabe; the President of Zambia, Mr Michael Sata; and the UNWTO Secretary-General, Dr Taleb Rifai.
“The Executive Council . . . expresses its satisfaction with the signature of the Trilateral Agreement for this session of the General Assembly on 29 May, on the occasion of the visit of the Secretary-General to the area of the Victoria Falls and congratulates both countries on their excellent co-ordination and efficient progress towards an extremely successful session of the General Assembly in this region of Africa,” said the council in one of its resolutions.

Earlier on, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Engineer Walter Mzembi, had thanked the UNWTO for showing much trust in Zambia and Zimbabwe by supporting their bid.

Minister Mzembi paid special tribute to Dr Rifai for giving the two countries and Africa the grand opportunity of hosting the event, which had greatly excited the populations of the two countries.
“Never in the history of independent Zimbabwe has an event so united the people around a vision of hope and singularity of purpose,” added Minister Mzembi.

Meanwhile, both the UNWTO Secretary-General and members of the organisation’s Commission for Africa have come out strongly urging all members to attend the Victoria Falls General Assembly.

In his report to the council, Dr Rifai noted that the mission by the Secretariat’s officials to the venue of the General Assembly had found both countries’ preparations on track.
The Mozambican Minister of Tourism, Mr Fernando Sumbana, reiterated that although it is Zimbabwe and Zambia who will actually host the General Assembly, the event was, for all intents and purposes, an African affair.

He urged all African countries to turn out in full force and make this General Assembly a landmark event in the development of African tourism.
At a brief Commission for Africa (CAF) meeting following the council session — convened by the Nigerian Minister of Tourism to urge members to attend the commission’s next session set for Calabar, Nigeria — Kenya’s Minister of Tourism and chairperson of the Executive Council, Mr Danson Mwazo, urged African countries to proceed with a greater sense of purpose, if Africa is to increase its share of global tourism earnings.

He emphasised the need for African tourism ministers to articulate African concerns and issues with a single voice to ensure that the continent influences the global tourism agenda.

Minister Mzembi, who will lead a delegation to Nigeria, promised to use the occasion to update members on preparations for the General Assembly and to receive inputs by fellow ministers on how to ensure that this will be a uniquely African General Assembly.

The meeting is set for June 25 to 27.