Terror no deterrent to tourism, says UNWTO SG
Global tourism destinations like France could be impacted in the short term due to the recent terror attacks but not in the medium and long term, a top international tourism official said on Friday. Addressing the media after a UNWTO Conference in Sri Lanka, the organisation’s Secretary General Taleb Rifai said that international terror attacks did not affect global tourism because it has been growing and people will continue to travel.
He noted that it could have an impact on the destinations in the short term but would not impact in the medium and long term and referred to recent attacks by terrorists groups like the ISIS as a “global disease” and a “global challenge.”
“A problem anywhere is a problem for everyone (all) of us,” he said. Mr. Rifai was also saddened by the break in the regional cooperation with the UK pulling out of the European Union which he said would not prevent the British or anyone from travelling. Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said that the North should be transformed into an economic success story and hotel profits should be used for the welfare of the communities. He also noted that engagement of the local communities was vital at every stage of development.