At the 18th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) held at Astana, Kazakhstan, Datuk Dr. Victor Wee was reappointed Chairman of the UNWTO Programme Committee. Members of the Programme Committee consist of representatives from six regional commissions of the world. The appointment is for the term of four years from 2010-2013. He served as Chairman of the committee previously from 2008 to 2009, and is currently the Chairman of Tourism Malaysia.

The Programme Committee will be responsible for the preparation of UNWTO’s work programme for the next four years, as well as monitoring programme implementation and systematic evaluation of its outputs and results. The committee will set priorities in terms of programmes and resource allocation undertaken by UNWTO in different parts of the world. These efforts are to guarantee that the vision and strategic objectives of UNWTO are met for the benefit of member states.

Wee’s appointment is on the basis of his expertise in the tourism industry as well as experience in tourism policy, regulation, product development and marketing while serving as Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism from 2004 to 2008. In addition, he has ample experience as an economist during his 29-year tenure at the Economic Planning Unit and the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) during the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997/98.

During the General Assembly, Malaysia was elected as Vice Chairman of the Commission of East Asia and Pacific as well as a full member of the Budget and Finance Committee. This is in recognition of Malaysia’s strong performance in tourism development and the country’s active participation in UNWTO.

These appointments will heighten Malaysia’s participation in the international arena and contribute to tourism development within the country and globally.

Foreign Diplomats From Uzbekistan Visit Malaysia

A group of ambassadors and diplomats based in Uzbekistan are on a tourism social visit to Malaysia, accompanied by the His Excellency Abdul Aziz Haron, Ambassador of Malaysia to Uzbekistan.

The group of twenty-two comprising ambassadors, diplomats and their spouses, are in Malaysia for a week to visit the various tourist attractions in the country including Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Langkawi.

The initiative by the Malaysian embassy is an effort to help Malaysia as a tourist destination to the people of Uzbekistan especially to the foreign diplomats based in Tashkent. His Excellency Abdul Aziz Haron said that the trip was “a great opportunity to share the spirit of Malaysia and Malaysian hospitality” with the diplomatic corps, and thanked Tourism Malaysia for its assistance in making some of the logistics arrangements.

At a luncheon hosted by Tourism Malaysia, Dato’ Amirrudin Abu, Deputy Director General, complimented the effort to help Malaysia saying that “the presence of the foreign ambassadors and diplomats is an opportunity to not only introduce Malaysia as a tourist destination, but also to forge cultural understanding and strengthen friendship ties. “

Besides highlighting the various popular destinations in Malaysia, Dato’ Amirrudin also explained about the Malaysia My Second Home programme and Malaysia’s MICE facilities.

He finally urged the audience to promote Malaysia, saying “You are the ideal living testimony to tell the world that Malaysia is actually a peaceful and wonderful country that offers a truly diversified travel experience to visitors.” (Tourism Malaysia)

Source: http://www.theblogcatalog.com/2009/12/malaysian-named-chairperson-of-committee-for-united-nations-world-tourism-organization-2010-2013/

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