European Tourism News is an informational blog destined to present information`s about European Council on Tourism and Trade activities.
European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) is the leading world and regional tourism organization representing a market of 800 millions costumers from all around Europe with members and delegations in 28 countries.
The Official Communique of the Press Office of the President of European Council on Tourism and Trade had made public the status of the candidatures for World Best Tourist Destination and for World Capital of Culture and Tourism competition for 2015.
We are presenting the main elements of the Press Release of European Council on Tourism and Trade.
WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD had become a center of international tourism recognition in the last span of time.
After obtaining the highest world tourism accolade in 2012, the nation island of Trinidad and Tobago becomes the only Caribbean nation that registered tourism increase in the region.
In 2013 People Democratic Republic of Laos registered a plus of over 1,5 million tourists in the first year and a 7% increase in GDP, due to mounting tourism revenues and Zimbabwe: the 2014 winner rose from zero to hero, in tourism statistics after snatching the world best tourism destination designation.
Band of mariachi interpreting Latin American songs for World Best Tourist Destination for 2015
This string of tourism success stories made 29 countries to start registering their candidatures for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD in 2015 more early than ever.
Already countries from Central and South America had put forward their touristic potential with a mind blowing extravaganza at Intercontinental Hotel in Bucharest where eight Latin American and Caribbean countries outlined their touristic, artistic and cultural potential for European Council on Tourism and Trade election committee.
ECTT President Anton Caragea highly praised their demonstration as a perfect display of Latin American cultural and touristic prowess that will be seriously regarded by the prize committee.
African countries fallow rapidly with: Nigeria, Congo DRC and Algeria taking the leading role in outlining their candidatures for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION in 2015.
Middle Eastern countries have outlined also their fantastic touristic and cultural potential with: Turkey, Egypt, Palestine and Jordan in the vanguard of outlining their powerful cultural asset and explaining their security measures put in place to make tourism feel safe and secure and enjoy a well deserve vacation on sandy beaches of Sharm El Sheik or Alexandria of Egypt, discovering ancient cities of Petra and Jerash in Jordan or the Cappadocia coast in Turkey.
The Central Asian countries tourism potential is expecting to be discovered by the Kazakhstan candidature that is bringing the potential of Caspian Sea, the beauty of Astana-the XXI century capital of the country and the impressive historical legacy of Turkestan-candidate city to WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM IN 2015.
In total an initial number of 29 country early bird registered their candidatures, appreciated Mrs. Teodora Nicolae-press officer ECTT and we are expecting that by the end of January 2015, when we will close the registration process we will have even more candidatures.
Many contenders for the title opted to register their capitals or other landmark cities or regions for WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM IN 2015, noted Mrs. Ioana Rosu, responsible for collecting the candidatures for WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM IN 2015 cities, which is a first.
In total 14 cities and region`s from across the globe, aspire for the world famous designation.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had stated that: the evaluation process is already started and it is an ongoing research and decision activity.
We will have also countries that will be approach by us, to take part in the selection process, in order to obtain a balanced geographical distribution of the winners of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and we will consider as always where we can have the biggest impact in promoting a new destination like in Trinidad, in promoting rural and social tourism, like in Lao PDR or rebranding a country and reasserting it in the world tourism field like in Zimbabwe case.
We hope that we will have the same global impact and weight in promoting new emerging destination`s and in asserting cultural tourism role and importance. Culture and social benefits of tourism are encapsulated in our attention, concluded President Dr. Anton Caragea his evaluation of 2015 candidatures for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.
On 6 December 2014, on the ceremony to present the Best European Wines and on the venue for unveiling the DIPLOMATIC WINE for 2015, Mr. Victor Deleanu-Chairman of the COTNARI-House of Wines, the author of the European wine`s ilk’s revolution, received in a festive ambiance the title for BEST WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR.
Chairman Victor Deleanu is recognized as the BEST WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR (2014).
Over 20 diplomats from three continents, plus European and Romanian officials and European parliamentarians where present on the venue in order to try out the wines created by the oenological specialists of COTNARI- House of Wines, wines crowned as the DIPLOMATIC WINE of 2015.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade has complimented the exertions of Chairman Victor Deleanu to promote the European wines, wines of exceptional quality thru the world and his decision to unleash the revolution of the European traditional wines assortments.
This wine revolution hopes to place in the first rank of the wine making process the assortment of the grape, the aroma and the persistence naturally present in the Europe and Romanian wipe grapes.
One of the creations of Mr. Victor Deleanu-Grasa de Cotnari (Fat Lady of Cotnari) is universally recognized as a perfect wine.
Based on this grapes, exceptional wines can be carved out, this is the manifest credo of the owner and wine creator of Cotnari-House of Wines-Mr. Victor Deleanu, creed validated by the election of his wines as the BEST EUROPEAN WINE for 2015-DIPLOMATIC WINE.
COTNARI-HOUSE OF WINES is an ambitious project that is encompassing a plantation with total of 350 hectares, out of which 100 hectares are cultivated with the famous Romanian grape variety: Feteasca Neagra(Black Girl), the Busuioaca de Bohotin(Bohotin Basil) , world celebrated for his unique flavour is cultivated on 75 hectares, the Tamaioasa Romaneasca (Romanian Incense Flavour) favoured by the connoisseurs for his strong taste, unique palates, can be found on other 75 hectares, Feteasca Alba(White Girl) is produced on 50 hectares and the Grasa de Cotnari ( Fat Lady of Cotnari) assortment , which is on good reason named as the Romania treasure and is comprised in natural patrimony, is cultivated on 50 hectares.
In order to properly recognize this serious, constant and sustained line of achievements, it was normal that the BEST WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR title to be awarded to oenological team from COTNARI-House of Wines lead by Chairman Victor Deleanu.
In the thunderous applause’s of the diplomats and official`s present at the venue, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade had conferred the designation of BEST WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR to the Chairman of COTNARI House of Wines, for his exertion in promoting wine culture and the specificity of European wines.
The unveiling of the title for WINEMAKER of THE YEAR for 2014 and the public presentation of best European wines had succeeded in gathering in the same spot the wine connoisseur’s community of Europe, Romania and the entire world on the venue of the International Wine Fair.
George Malutan is the official WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR
Diplomats from Europe, Asia and Africa, members of European Council on Tourism and Trade, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and countless personalities had convened on the spot, eager to know the names of 2014 best of wines and their makers.
The organizers decided that: the name of the BEST WINEMAKERS should be accompanied by the tasting of their prized creations.
The award ceremony and the tasting session had commenced by a Feteasca Neagra (Black Girl) from Dominium series of Cotnari House of Wine, a perfect red wine that encompassed with distinction the work of the wining George Malutan, the winner of WINEMAKER of THE YEAR designation.
Feteasca Neagra-one of the award wining creation of world fame of Mr. George Malutan.
Mr. George Malutan had proven himself by long term and successful efforts in creating COTNARI-Hose of Wine products.
Wines such as the Feteasca Neagra, had conquered the hearts and mind of diplomats at the DIPLOMATIC WINE contest for 2015, but also Mr. Malutan creations won many gold and silver medals, in the last span of time in International Wine Contests and tasting ceremonies. All this achievements bestow a perfect international recognition for his wines created for the portfolio of COTNARI House of Wines.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European council on Tourism and Trade had eulogized the wines created by Mr. George Malutan as perfectly capturing the terroirs specificity of Moldavia-region of Romania and european traditions and respecting the long lasting tradition of wine making of the areas.
His creations are garnering the art of wine production together with the latest technologies specific to the New World wines.
The result is a perfect calibrated wine, this is a living proof that old European wineries can be still seductive created with the new technologies and can lead in the world top of wines.
European wines did not said their final word on the world stage, concluded Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.
The wine maker for COTNARI Hose of Wines-THE BEST WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR, Mr. George Malutan had inscribed in his wall of trophy’s the promotion of specific Romanian wines such as: White Girl (Feteasca Albă) and Black Girl (Feteasca Neagră), Fat Lady of Cotnari (Grasa de Cotnari) benefiting by a unique aroma and taste and aromatized assortments such as: Romanian Incense (Tamaioasa Romaneasca) and Bohotin Basil (Busuioaca de Bohotin).
On 11th of August 2014 President Dr. Anton Caragea had offered an interview regarding his recent trip to Zimbabwe and stated that:
Our familiarization trip has in his core to express our support for the incredible development of tourism in Zimbabwe under the care and benevolent support of H.E President Robert Mugabe, the celebrated African hero and with the efficient and lofty supervision of Minister Walter Mzembi and Tourism authority of Zimbabwe chairman- Karikoga Kaseke declared H.E. President Anton Caragea.
Our fact finding tourism mission must also mark the start of rebuilding European-Zimbabwe relations, the end of the futile and unnecessary sanctions and to mark the fact that tourism in Zimbabwe is the perfect, safe, luxury and ideal vacation spot for all the world tourists.
After our visit and after receiving the world highest tourism honor the tourism in Zimbabwe has become world recognized, perfect placed in the world spotlight and all the tourism agency has already started or will soon start to include in their travel program the perfect scenic destination of Zimbabwe.
We succeded in ending the separation between tourism community and in a few years Zimbabwe, if continues the policy of President Robert Mugabe and Academician Walter Mzembi will surpass all the tourism competitors in the region.
The days of betterment and perfect development of tourism in Zimbabwe are right ahead concluded European Council on Tourism and Trade`s President his report over his visit to Zimbabwe-the gem of Africa- WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2014.
The European Council on Tourism and Trade high level delegation has toured Zimbabwe-WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2014 in order to express the European support for the development of tourism industry in Zimbabwe and clearly mark the fact that Zimbabwe has developed into the epitome of high class tourism in Africa.
The visit made between 28 May-6 June 2014 by an European delegation headed by H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade was destined to restart the bilateral relation between Europe and the Republic of Zimbabwe and the southern region of Africa, a region in full economic development and with a long tradition of partnership with our country.
H.E. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe-a true African hero and President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.
During the visit Professor Dr. Anton Caragea was welcomed by H.E. President of Republic of Zimbabwe-Robert Gabriel Mugabe who stated that: is exuding with love and gratitude for the visit of Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.
President Robert Mugabe express his gratitude for Professor Dr. Anton Caragea continuous support in promoting Zimbabwe integration in international tourism arena and stated than: when others where plotting to punish us you think at rewarding us and make us friends. From the profundity of our heart: Tank you Professor !
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea at his turn praised president Mugabe stating that: the world did not forget the ten years spent in the dungeons of the colonial rule, the world did not forget the 20 years of revolutionary activity at the risk of the life and personal peace, spent in the opposition to the absurd regime of apartheid and segregation of Old time Rhodesia.
As we do not forget the word of reconciliation spoken after this years of struggle, ten years before Nelson Mandela similar example: “If yesterday I fought you as an enemy, today you have become a friend,” “If yesterday you hated me, today you cannot avoid the love that binds me to you.”
We will never forget that 35 years ago from Harare you have called all nations of Africa to wake up from the long colonial sleep to a new and rich life of fulfillment`s.
Your name is and will be forever inscribed for me and for all the honest people of the world along the names of the fathers of free Africa:Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Jomo Kenyatta etc. as a giant of liberation and freedom fight in Africa and the world.
President Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Professor Dr. Anton Caragea leading WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD ceremony.
Other meeting where held by H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea with Hon. J.T.R Majuru- Vice-President of Republic of Zimbabwe, S.K.Moyo-Senior Minister (Prime Minister) of Zimbabwe, Hon. N. Goche-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism Walter Mzembi etc.
During the discussion, foreign policy cooperation, opening of honorary consulates and economic cooperation councils as well as economic and investment opportunities where tabled offering opportunity for European countries to take part in the business boom and bonanza of southern region of Africa and specially the Republic of Zimbabwe buoyant economic environment.
The European delegation enjoyed a sophisticated cultural program with visit to the History Museum of Harare, National Heroes Acre and to the wonderful UNESCO heritage site of Great Zimbabwe-the largest African palatial complex dating from XII century and covering 700 hectares and a chance to discover the world greatest cascade: Victoria waterfall.
In sign of honor Professor Dr. Anton Caragea occupied the Winston Churchill apartment in the famous Victorian hotel of Victoria Falls.
The high level visit, the first after a 25 year hiatus in bilateral relation offered to the parties the opportunity to table concrete cultural, tourism and cooperation projects and to highlight the bilateral support for the development of the social and political cooperation.
The Republic of Zimbabwe becomes now the main political and strategic partner in the region of southern Africa, offering innumerable opportunities for developing friendly ties.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and his delegation take a helicopter tour over Victoria Fall bordering Zimbabwe and Zambia
Victoria Water Fall observed from helicopter (3.000 meters).
Victoria Falls-the world largest cascade.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea touring Great Zimbabwe(the biggest African palatial complex dating from XII century)
In the heart of Great Zimbabwe historical complex
Elephant safari in the desert heart of Zimbabwe
President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea gives an interview to Zimbabwe National Television.
H.E. President of the Republic of Zimbabwe-Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the african liberation lofty personality, has presented the official acceptance speech on behalf of people and government of Zimbabwe for the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AND FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION awards for the country.
This is the text of this inspiring speech presented by the most famous leader of Africa of today:
I want I thank for this event to: The Honorable Vice-President Joice Mujuru
The Speaker of the House of Assembly and advocate Jacob Mudenda,
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry comrade Walter Mzembi and all ministers here present,
Foremost to The President of European Council on Tourism and Trade, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and all members of his delegation,
Minister of Culture Andrew Langa , traditional leaders, all minister here presence,
Members of the diplomatic core,
Ladies and gentlemen`s, dear comrades,
I'm pleased though not surprised at all that the European Council on Tourism and Trade had seen fit to give the awards for the BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for 2014 and the distinction for FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINTION for 2014 to Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe's is indeed endowed with bountiful natural resources and rich cultural history
In addition our country is adjudged by relevant experts to poses the best climate in the word making it: an attracting tourism destination all year around
All thou like anyone else we can experience dramatic climate conditions, the impact on us is not that devastating , Zimbabwe can conform his reputation as an ideal tourism destination, but destinations might be mere geographical entities, it have to be destinations with people, and it is the people that are making destination to worth the talk, and is therefore the people of Zimbabwe we should be praised for the destination to be as warm as is proofed to be, Zimbabwe together with many other countries in southern Africa has succeeded to preserved much of his natural biodiversity in both flora and fauna, indeed we are home to some of the
Of the most sought after and rare animals in the world, including the big five: the elephant- huge, the lion- feroces, the rhino-quiet, but harmful, the leopard-there is stealthy but also blood thirsty and buffalo.
Of all this, the one we say is the most friendly maybe the buffalo, it is the only one of them but it is just one but the others do not provide the thing that we want to eat. I don’t know if the lion is eatable, less still do I know if the rhino or leopard are eatable anywhere but the elephant is, I did not tasted before I was in the prison where they serve us with elephant meet, it but I can tell you that I never like it I never tasted it after prison. I was afraid and who could not be afraid to eat the elephant ?
Who would obviously not be frighten to eat the elephant?
I am indeed proud that the iconic physical tourist attraction that we have in the country that include: Victoria Falls, the Eastern Highlands, the Mana Pools and off course the Exfoliated Hills in Manicaland, all must have influence the European Council on Tourism and Trade to select out of 27 nominated country to select Zimbabwe as the winner of the BEST DESTINATION AWARD.
It is our capacity to give tourists from all the corners of the world access to all our country natural features, the opportunity for tourists to explore nature in his ecological environment, must have strongly contributed to ECTT decision to grant us the awards that we just received today.
Ladies and Gentleman’s
While our country rich historical and cultural legacy has caught the et ye of ECTT, the venerable Great Zimbabwe, a fortified palatial complex that must have being build in 12 century, must played his part , the Great Zimbabwe from whom our great country is deriving his name is offering a rare insight into one of the greatest pre-colonial civilization of Africa and indeed a rare window into centuries of traditions.
Indeed countrymen, the winning of this award should must be a wakeup call to many, to realize the many historical treasures that we own.
How many of us are aware of the many historical treasure that we own ?
How many are aware that our national monuments in Manicaland are dating back from stone age period ?
Many of this natural sites, that are now on the list of UNESCO human heritage site, can and should be leveraged, to attract international visitors to Zimbabwe
I believe is equally important for our people both children and adults to know and visit this site, yes we can share them with world and can be said that that we hold them entrust for humanity , but they remain first and foremost our own, they defined our zimbabweness cultural diversity.
Cultural diversity in way of life and way of life showing itself in our interaction, marriages but much, much more pleasantly in song and dance and you heard today that diversity coming out from Reverend Damasani poetic rendering.
A gifted man indeed!
O gifted musician, but a gifted moralist, man of prayer, man of God,
We need to be thoroughly familiar with them and be proud with them. Some time I think that Zimbabweans are not knowing their country endowment, beside mineral gold, and precious stones, perhaps Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality should launch a know your Zimbabwe! , know yourself campaign!
To facilitate, to know our country.
I must pay a tribute to this young person they call Minister Mzembi, now the only surviving minister of tourism in Africa, or in the world, so he says
I rate him as one of my best ministers.
Foresight, full of brilliant ideas that are not remaining just in the mind, they take the form of action and practice.
Yes, he has gallivanted the world: East, West, North South, but every step he took, was to make better know Zimbabwe, two make the people better know, to make the reaches of Zimbabwe better known.
We still have so many not unknown, some of them where known and dig out, but thanks God we still have them and we start to discovering them for ourselves.
Let the world to know us and to know us fully: that we are a peaceful people but a proud people as well, and when it comes about natural resources s committed to be their owners, jealous of them.
Fighters against imperialism and colonialism because it wants to displace us, as in deed they have displaced us for nearly a century, and we are owners and in possession of our wealth.
A wealth that we discovered !
Even our past was sometime ugly, difficult for our ancestors, but let it be know our immediate past even as well as our contemporary history.
Is in this context that we emphasize the importance of our history of liberating Zimbabwe from colonial bondage and it is in this context that we want to emphasize the importance of writing the history because was not just the liberation of the people but the liberation of a people and their resources and their the tourist attraction as well.
Must people commemorate the major historical wars going back to centuries, our war of liberation was, only yesterday, comparatively specking, we should not risk erase it from our memories
But we should preserved our pride history
We won a great war the often pitted poorly armed, often shoeless peasants against experienced, well armed, ruffles mercenaries, but we won it, against all odds.
It was a people war, not just a ZANU ZAPU ZAMPLA ZIBRA war. No!
Those where fronts, fronts of the people of Zimbabwe in their diversity and thus where fronts of determined people, determined to fight for our people, their people, our people.
We should never forget our people together, whatever their cultural believes religious, cultural, political, they are our people and hence the need for the unity of our people, unity in diversity,
We need to enshrined all location of majors battles indeed and grow them into iconic attractions, that our visitors and our posterity will visit and value them for all time.
They become visiting places, tourist attraction.
They will naturally evoke memories, but they should never, even if they made us angry sometimes, they should never make us to want to fight again, but should make us to be always ready against the enemy, against thus who want to pull the same trick already that they put against us in 1890 lasting up to 1980 we say No. Never again!
Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade.
Let me conclude by saying:
Thank you to you to European Council on Tourism and Trade-ECTT for these awards
We should thank you for your magnanimity, I say magnanimity because at this juncture, during this time, at this time.
When others are thinking at punishing us more, you are thinking of making us more a friend than enemy. We are thanking you; we are exuding with friendship and love for others who equally may exude with love and friendship to us.
It is that interaction of love, love of nations, and love of people that we in Zimbabwe we want to work for.
Let me conclude by saying that I ‘am greatly enthusiastic and appreciative and full of pride for all the decision taken by European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) to give this awards to Zimbabwe.
If the countries that have win these awards in the past are anything to go by, the European Council on Tourism and Trade has a very powerful and transparent desire to draw all the world's attention to the tourism potential in developing countries
Thank you for that
This award is having the effect of putting the winner under the global limelight and I want to say that we have this limelight, thanks to the European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) and thanks to you the Zimbabweans for demonstrating that you love others in the world.
We are now in the global limelight!
I want to promise to the European Council on Tourism and Trade that we shall continue to increase our efforts to leverage the potential that you have identified in us and always make Zimbabwe a preferred tourist destination in the world, a people loving people’s destination.
And I want to assure you that this is what are we working for: peace and harmony in Zimbabwe, peace and harmony in the region, and peace and harmony in the world
I want to say once again thank you to European Council on Tourism and Trade for these awards, we shell treasure them for all time.
