GLOBAL TOURISM INSTITUTIONS LEADERS GATHER FOR ADDIS ABABA (FINFINE) WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM DESIGNATION

The leaders of global tourism institution were united on the scene of celebrations for Addis Ababa-World Capital of Culture and Tourism among them where global tourism institution ECTT President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, the Director of European Tourism Academy, Academician Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director for Hospitality and Development Mr. Pavel Avramoiu, Mr. Vasile Vlasin-Head of Investment Division in European Council on Tourism and Trade and former Prime Minister of Albania Mr. Mark Doda, Chairman of Balkan Tourism Organization. 

The main reason for the presence of the tourism stalwarts was the crowning of Ethiopia`s capital with the coveted tittle of WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM. 

During an official visit to Ethiopia, ECTT President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea inaugurated the celebrations marking the inscription of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia`s capital on the WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM list and have a line of high level talks in order to address the advancement of tourism in Ethiopia and the key role of the sector in the country’s socio-economic development. (Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, 30 January-8 February 2019).

The Government of Ethiopia and the Government of Addis Ababa are currently implementing a number of strategic measures to further develop the country’s tourism sector, including investment in infrastructure and capacity building on destination management and product development, through the recently established Tourism Transformation Council.

Upon an invitation by H.E. Mrs. Sahle Work Zewde F.D.R Ethiopia President, European Council on Tourism and Trade President H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had visited Ethiopia at the head of a high level delegation.

These measures reflect how tourism is firmly established among the development drivers of the country, said Head of Government of Addis Ababa Takele Uma Benti in a meeting with President Dr. Anton Caragea, where he expressed his full support to the tourism sector, and the commitment of the Ethiopian government to make sustainability a priority in future tourism development.

European Council on Tourism and Trade President Dr. Anton Caragea commended Ethiopia for the political support awarded to the tourism sector and in particular for integrating tourism as part of its development policy.

In 2015 after the decision taken by the European Council on Tourism and Trade to select Ethiopia as the receiver of the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATIONaward the country registered an influx of over 1 million tourists and earned more than 2 billion dollars in 2015/2016 tourism year, numbers never achieved before and after in the Ethiopia`s tourism history.

The Head of Global Tourism Institution-ECTT H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea gives the start of Addis Ababa Culture and Tourism Festival and of Addis Ababa-WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM manifestations.

The decision to inscribe Addis Ababa as a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM will give a new impetus to the country and support is further development appreciated President Dr. Anton Caragea.

During his official visit, President Dr. Anton Caragea opened the cultural festival of Addis Ababa: Unity through Culture and officially entrusted  the certificate and award for Addis Ababa as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

The Ethiopia`s President received also the Official Letter for World Leaders in Tourism Development highlighting Ethiopian government responsibilities for protecting culture and heritage and using tourism as a tool for development of their nation.

The Official Letter for World Leaders in Tourism Development is calling on Heads of States and Government to “promote the value of the tourism sector in advancing sustainable tourism development”.

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MARKING ADDIS ABABA ROLE AS WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

CEREMONIES FOR ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY CONFERENCE FOR ADDIS ABABA

WORLD TOURISM DAY HOST ADDIS ABABA

NEW ACADEMY MEMBER PRESENTATION: H.E. PRESIDENT SAHLE WORK ZEWDE

NEW ACADEMY MEMBER PRESENTATION: ADDIS ABABA GOVERNMENT HEAD TAKLE BENTI UMA

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An extensive cultural programme was carved out for President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and his delegates  and destined to offer them an extensive Ethiopian experience.

European Council on Tourism and Trade delegates having in the center Mr. Mark Doda-Head of Balkan Tourism Organization are enjoying an interesting cultural show in Ethiopia`s capital: Addis Ababa.

The European Council on Tourism and Trade delegation visited the provinces of Kaffa and Jimma, the birth place of coffee and the famous Palace of Abba Jifar located in Jimma.

Jimma tourism potential and Abba Jiffar Museum as well as the city open markets left an indelible mark on the delegates who appreciated the city architecture and elegance and Islamic heritage potential and valued the impressive remains of the Abba Jifar palace towering over the city.

The ECTT delegation enjoyed also an exclusive tour of the tourism and cultural potential of Addis Ababa environs like the natural crater lakes of Bishoftu and the splendid religious and cultural complex of Debre Libanos.

Debre Libanos unique role in Ethiopian Church development and the rich museum collections of the Debre Libanos Monastery are powerful elements destined to make the area a hot tourism spot.

In the familiarization tour around Addis Ababa the delegation had explored the Addis Ababa City Museum, The Ethnographic Museum (hosted in former Imperial palace Genet Leul,  Haile Selassie Museum, National Museum etc.) the Saint George Cathedral and Holy Trinity and Entoto Heritage Area (encompassing the Palace of Emperor Menelik II, Churches Myriam Entoto and Saints Raguel and Elias).

President Dr. Anton Caragea emphasized the importance for future of Addis Ababa of better highlighting and package the impressive potential of the tourism and cultural preserve of the Entoto Area.

President Dr. Anton Caragea emphasized as urgency the enacted as a special tourism and cultural preserve of the Entoto Area, in order to ensure its better protection and tourism role in development of Addis Ababa and highly valued the decision taken by the new dispensation of the Head of Government of Adds Ababa Takele Uma Benti to promote a safe and cultural oriented tourism in the city.

President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea receives an Ethiopian art work from Head of Addis Ababa City Government Eng. Takele Uma Benti. 

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You can read more about the letter for tourism and development leaders on:

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR CAMBODIA

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR ETHIOPIA

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM: ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN

PHNOM PENH-WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

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President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea delegation included: the Director of European Tourism Academy, Academician Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director for Hospitality and Development Mr. Pavel Avramoiu, Mr. Vasile Vlasin-Head of Investment Division in European Council on Tourism and Trade and former Prime Minister of Albania Mr. Mark Doda, Chairman of Balkan Tourism Organization.

ECTT and Ethiopia have agreed to reinforce their collaboration in the areas of cultural protection, historical promotion, sustainable tourism development, public-private partnerships and marketing strategies etc.The province of Kratie, in the country’s east, is poised to become a priority tourist destination and a national heritage site.

The Photo Album of the Addis Ababa-World Capital of Culture and Tourism is accessible here

The Photo Dossier of the Global Tourism Institution visit to Addis Ababa is available here

EUROPEAN ACADEMY RESEARCH GROUP HEADED BY THE EU EXPERT GABRIEL RASVAN TOADER

European Council on Tourism and Trade announced on December 28, 2016 the reinforcement of his team of research and trade development with the appointment of Mr. Gabriel Rasvan Toader as special adviser on trade and industry related issues.

Mr. Gabriel Rasvan Toader (photo right) is one of the leading European Union experts in trade and investment.  

Mr. Gabriel Rasvan Toader is a specialist in the field of trade, industrial policies and business development, former director general in Romanian Government.

During a 15 years career he was responsible for international trade and developing law and research in the field of business growth, he is also a specialist in medium and small business development and has being member of the special governmental panel responsable for european law and for supporting free movement of work force and measures for combating european un-employment.

He is also a recognized expert in policies for fisheries, customs and management of public institutions.

He received the Special Diploma for Cooperation in Balkan Region (Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia etc.).

He developed projects in Austria (Vienna), Belgium (Brussels), France (Paris) and Bonn-Germany and (Geneva) Switzerland.

Mr. Gabriel Rasvan will bring his international expertise and business environment connection to the benefit of a world-wide and european wide agenda for trade development.

His expertise must support the research groups of European Academy and the activities of European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) in the field of international trade and banking, underlined during the appointment ceremony Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, ECTT President.

Trade must be developed along side tourism, trade must bring his contribution to the european development and to world growth and to sustainable development goals completion concluded Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.

The expertise of the new special adviser on trade, Mr Gabriel Rasvan Toader it is  hope to aid the development of research and practice on european scale and will shape international trade and investment growth.

DIRECTOR OF EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY PRESENT`S LAUDATIO FOR PRIME MINISTER HAILEMARIAM DESALEGN

On 10^th July 2015, in an official ceremony, Academician Mircea Constantinescu-Director of European Tourism Academy, had presented H.E. Prime Minister of Ethiopia-Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn with the insignia of honor and the certificate of honorary member of the academy.

H.E. Prime Minister of Ethiopia-Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn presented with the insignia of honor and the certificate of honorary member of the academy.

The decision was taken on 25 June 2015 by the Academic Board of European Council on Tourism and Trade and announced in an official letter as a result of: Government of Ethiopia recognizing the importance of tourism as a key facilitator for the country development and international promotion, creating exemplary structures like Tourism Transformation Council, investing in infrastructure and capacity building, creating a special team under Your Excellency leadership for destination promotion and management and protecting the cultural, natural and historical patrimony of the country.

The full text of the admission in an academic institution is called laudation (from latin word-presentation) and we have the pleasure of presenting you with the text of laudation by Academician Mircea Constantinescu for H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn-Prime Minister of F.D.R of Ethiopia.

Mr. Prime Minister,

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

               

We are here to award to H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia the title of Honorary Member of European Tourism Academy.

Analyzing the curriculum vitae along with the activity of the Prime Minister Hailemariam we discover a complex person, a man of many talents, entirely dedicated to the development of his country, to the well being of the people of Ethiopia, dedicated to building a favorable image of Ethiopia in the midst of the international community.

His bachelor's degree in civil engineering, from Addis Ababa University, was fundamental for building a solid scientific education, giving him access to a high level knowledge and expertise. The master degree, with Tampere University of Technology in Finland, gave him an European and international perspective upon the transfer of knowledge, expertise and technology.

Upon his return to Ethiopia, he served in different academic and administrative capacities, including the dean of the Water Technology Institute, for 13 years. 

H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn loves his country and the people of Ethiopia. He learned how important the water resources are for a country, how important the expert management of such a vital resource is for the well being and the successful development of Ethiopia.

But for him it was not enough. He wanted more…He wanted to acquire knowledge of scientific management of the country, of its human resources and natural resources as well.

And he acquired all this, earning a MA in Organizational Leadership in California, from the best…

Academician Mircea Constantinescu, Minister of Culture and Tourism-Amin Abdulkadir,President Dr. Anton Caragea and European Senator Ionel Agrigoroaei proudly presents ETHIOPIA-WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION logo

We will not analyze here the political activity of H.E., but taking actively part in the political life of his country, it gave him the opportunity to work with people of Ethiopia, to be in the middle of Ethiopia’s people, to efficiently communicate, and being able to implement at the high level management of the country activities, reflecting the reality of Ethiopia and the wishes of Ethiopian people.

His activity as Minister of foreign affairs was indeed a success. As a diplomat he presented to the world the image of a peaceful country, of many resources and beauties, with people that praise hospitality, open in a friendly manner to the international community.

There is no wonder that with all these credentials H.E. was able to excellently perform as Prime Minister, running an activity at the top level, for the benefit of Ethiopia and Ethiopian people.

In the country’s general framework, tourism is a complex activity, and H.E. understood that tourism is not only for tourists to enjoy the natural beauties and the cultural heritage of Ethiopia. Tourism is for also the people of Ethiopia, is for the development of the local communities, so that everyone will be able to enjoy all that a beautiful and resourceful country may offer.

As a final remark, H.E. working for many years at the highest level of the African Union, was able to have a general overview, as well as a personal contribution, to the most important African institution, bringing together people and countries, managing the trend for ever growing development and international recognition of the African continent.

In recognition of his contribution to the development of Ethiopian tourism, we are proud to hand over The Medal Of Honor to his Excellency Hailemariam, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and to recognize him as the newest academician member of the European Tourism Academy.

WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD GOES TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

On 9th of October 2011 in a public séance of the European Union Council on Tourism and Trade gathering representatives of tourism organizations from EU members country it was debated the list of candidates for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for 2012.



Professor Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director of European Tourism Academy

Professor Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director of Tourism Academy had presented a report on the last year situation of the Award for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION that was dedicated to United Arab Emirates and it was used accordingly with rules and regulations and have being proving highly efficient in attracting new tourists and investor attentions as United Arab Emirates was the ONLY country in the region that registered an increase in number of visitors despite tensions in the region.

 



Prof.Dr. Anton Caragea - President of European Union Council on Tourism and Trade and H.E. President of Tajikistan - Emomali Rahmon

On the debate for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD FOR 2012 professor dr. Anton Caragea , President of European Union Council on Tourism and Trade ( ECTT) presented the report titled : TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO : A SUCCESS STORY IN TOURISM proposing TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO as the winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2012.

Among the reasons for awarding WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2012 to TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO the report outlined:

- Respecting cultural patrimony and traditions in offering to tourists a possibility to participate in impressive paraphernalia festivals such as: Holi, Hosay, Divali, Corpus Christi, Eid Al Fitr and special Tobago Heritage Festival Tobago Fest and Trinidad GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH etc.

Keeping alive spiritual traditions , integrating tourist and visitors in the atmosphere of the islands , offering possibility of an enriching cultural experience are achievements that transform Trinidad and Tobago in a spiritual destination of first hand.

- Promoting Trinidad and Tobago environmental protection, especially East Coast natural patrimony of wetlands, beaches and ecological and geographical biodiversity that make Trinidad and Tobago unique in the region. Supporting a new concept of tourism friendly to nature, with low nature impact and preservation of natural biodiversity and protection of endangered species and areas, especially rainforest eco-climate.

- Offering to tourists not only cultural experience or relaxation opportunities but also the possibility to explore nature , to contribute to ecological preservation and the opportunity to observed in Tobago the impressive Forest Reserve are model achievements in ecological tourism that must be world appreciated.

- The continuous development and protection of cultural and historical patrimony of Trinidad and Tobago, the transformation of Port of Spain in an historical center offering to the visitor a glimpse into rich culture of Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean heritage.

- Offering to the tourist a large area of cultural and ecological impressive programs such as: Wildlife Photography in places such El Tucuche Reserve, Valencia Wildlife Sanctuary, Caroni Bird Sanctuary. Cave exploration (in splendid places such as Gasparee Caves).Cycling, Hiking (Argyle Waterfall –a special destination), Kayaking (Paria bay and Tobago area).



Voting for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD

For all this reasons European Union Council on Tourism and Trade decided, unanimously, to award WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2012 TITLE TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO and to declare TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO- FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATIONS in 2012.

It was also presented the Official Invitation, on behalf of Ministry of Tourism of TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO for a delegation of European high ranking official of European Union Council on Tourism and Trade, to present the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD in Port of Spain, in person, to His Excellency Minister of Tourism DR. RUPERT GRIFFITH.

Awarding the highest tourism distinction of European Union Council on Tourism and Trade, the invitation for an working visit of high ranking members of European Union Council on Tourism and Trade in TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO are estimated by European tourism experts as a good example of close tourism relations and mutual appreciation between European Union and Trinidad and Tobago, said at the end of the meeting Professor Anton Caragea, President of European Union Council on Tourism and Trade.