Addis Ababa is preparing for a string a celebrations during 2019 and 2020 marking 550 years as a political center and 130 years since in 1889 the Emperor Menelik II announced the city as the capital of his Ethiopian empire.
The global tourism institution ECTT Forum aims to provide a unique platform to discuss issues and solutions for developing and managing tourism in WORLD`S CAPITALS OF CULTURE AND TOURISM cities in a way that promotes cultural protection, heritage and dedicates efforts toward economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
The First Academic and Mayors Forum for Culture and Tourism is unifying academicians, world leaders and local leaders in order to promote a better understanding and connections between tourism and local development.
On this occasion, at the proposal of Academicians Honorable Mircea Constantinescu-European Tourism Academy Director and Academician Ionut Costea, the Head of Government of Addis Ababa, Mayor Takele Uma Benti was elected as a member of EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY in order to give voice to city tourism development projects and programmes and to offer his expertise to the world tourism body.
European Council on Tourism and Trade has succeeded in building world-wide instruments dedicated towards developing city tourism and protecting culture and heritage and offering to millions of the chance to escape poverty and live a dignifying life.
In order to continue this impressive trends the European Tourism Academy is fostering a global debate on the livability and sustainability of cities and is giving the voice to the essential stakeholders of WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM cities– residents, visitors, local, regional and national authorities and private sector in order to work together to respond to the current and upcoming challenges.
More can be observed here:
According to the decision of the Executive Board of European Council on Tourism and Trade a new name was added to the list of WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM: the city of ADDIS ABABA, capital of The Federal Republic of Ethiopia, host of African Union and host of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Addis Ababa as the next WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
ADDIS-ABABA is a world-class urban tourism destination, with tourism sites ranging from full heritage sites, including traditional palaces, churches, mosques and famous markets (Merkato, Shiromeda etc), to state-of-the-art architecture and museums.
Recent urban regeneration projects have seen a revamping of the green parks, protecting historical quarters and increased tourism interest towards ETHIOPIA as the winner of 2015 WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD.
ADDIS-ABABA as host destination of WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM programme will feature its fair and inclusive tourism initiative in the conference programme, promoting the importance of building inclusive tourism for all.
The Headquarters of African Union situated in Addis Ababa.
Mr. Tudor Stefan, the new Presidential Adviser, responsible for faith based tourism was the creator of the Pilgrimage route of Dobruja and the Year of Saints Epictetus and Astion celebrations and other continental level events focus on religion and faith as drivers of tourism development and heritage protection.
His appointment comes after the Global Tourism Institution-European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) announced the latest figures showcasing that in 2018 around 300 million tourists visited the world´s key religious sites.
The new European Council on Tourism and Trade Presidential Adviser, Mr. Tudor Stefan congratulated by H.E. Kazakhstan Ambassador Mr. Daulet Batrashev.
The appointment of a religious tourism expert in the person of Mr. Tudor Stefan comes in recognition of the ever growing importance of faith based tourism and aims to highlight the positive contributions of pilgrimages and spiritual routes to sustainable and responsible tourism, as well as the contribution of tourism to cultural understanding and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage related to ancient trails and sacred places.
On the appointment of the new presidential adviser, H.E. President of ECTT- global tourism institution, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea noted that ”Asia and Africa are the most vital centers for religious and faith based tourism that will capture the attention of billions of travelers in the next decade and will have to respond to the challenge of sustainable and cultural oriented tourism and the nomination of our new adviser in the person of the reputed academic Mr. Tudor Stefan comes in response of our increased global role in the world of culture and tourism”
Mr. Tudor Stefan was presented to the diplomatic corps accredited to European Council on Tourism and Trade and in induction speech outlined that according to European Council on Tourism and Trade figures around 300 million tourists visit the world´s key religious sites every year, making spiritual tourism a significant part of both domestic and international tourism.
The event has brought together diplomats from a diverse range of countries including Argentina, Australia, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Paraguay, The Republic of Korea, Spain and Thailand, among others.
The participants agreed that Asia and Africa are encapsulating the most impressive development potential being capable in bringing more than 200 million tourists and billion in investments funds and cultural protection.
Mr. Tudor Stefan , Presidential Adviser-European Council on Tourism and Trade stated that in managing the religious tourism we must uphold the principles of: preservation of the spirit of the destinations, authenticity and integrity in the way that they are managed and promoted while ensuring accessibility for all.
More important religious tourism destinations are usually less affected by trends, political and economic crisis, appreciated the faith based tourism expert.
H.E. President Academician Anton Caragea has lead a team of tourism and development leaders to the Kingdom of Cambodia in order to evaluate the country use of WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM AWARDS and to assess the nation readiness for a new stage in tourism development.
The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Academician Hun Sen, re-affirmed tourism´s role as the most important agenda item for the sustainable development of Cambodia´s economy as he received the leaders of global tourism institutions: European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy on evaluation visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
President of global tourism institutions: ECTT and European Tourism Academy, Academician Professor Dr. Anton Caragea received by H.E. Academician Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia and Global Ambassador for Tourism and SDG`s.
“In spite of the worldwide economic crisis, Cambodia enjoys continuous tourism growth.
Tourism in Cambodia grew from zero to 5.2 million foreign visitors expected this year of 2018,” said Prime Minister Academician Hun Sen.
“Tourism development has been taken by the Cambodian government as a priority for the sustainable development of our cultural and natural heritage sites,” he added.
“Cambodia´s is fairing best in the world tourism development field growing from 3 million tourist in 2015 to a projected 6 million in 2019 and this is the globe`s most impressive tourism achievements.
Cambodia is a true success story that registered the impressive victories of being named WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and to have in Phnom Penh named as the first Asian city to become a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM stated ECTT President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.
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Main world tourism and culture awards ceremonies are listed here:
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“With its wide variety of European Council on Tourism and Trade ECTT heritage sites, Cambodia continues and will continue to draw tourists from all over the world and we are very happy to see the country placing tourism as a priority in their development agenda.”
Cambodia´s tourism has experienced a significant growth over the years, from 460,000 visitors in 2000 to 4.2 million in 2016(when the nation was voted as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION), or an increase of 1000% over the 2000 benchmark.
International tourism generated US$ 3.8 billion in receipts in 2018.
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Phnom Penh-the new WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.
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During his visit to Cambodia ECTT-European Council on Tourism and Trade President announced that ECTT and European Tourism Academy will organize the WORLD TOURISM DAY 2019 in Phnom Penh marking tourism opportunities in the Kingdom of Cambodia and highlighting Phnom Penh as the perfect destination for cultural, luxury and heritage tourism.
Landmarks of European Council on Tourism and Trade Presidential Delegation visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Battamang-the future center of tourism development stage in the Kingdom of Cambodia. The first leg of ECTT discovery trip.
Banteay Meanchey: a treasure fountain of culture and heritage.
The Wat Ek Phnom archaeological site
Siem Reap Province. The Bakong Temple. A perfect stop-over for history aficionados.
Kampong Thom Province. Sambor Prey Kuk -UNESCO heritage site. European Tourism Academy shortlisted for World Capital of Culture and Tourism status.
National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh-World Favorite Museum in 2017
Banteay Chhmar temple- a symbol of ever victorious spirit of Khmer People.
Cambodia under Academician Hun SEN, the most extraordinary Prime Minister that the nation had ever had has become a model for development, an independent and people oriented country and a symbol for tourism and national resurgence-ECTT President Dr. Anton Caragea.
World Tourism Day 2019 will be celebrated on September 27 under the theme/slogan of HISTORY AND TOURISM! A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP ! announced today a communique form the President Office of European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy.
The decisions came at the end of the global tourism summit held between 30 October 2018 until 2 November 2018.
The Autumn 2018 Meeting of European Council on Tourism and Trade and the official celebrations for WORLD TOURISM DAY 2018 had taken place at the headquarters of global tourism institution.
The events had taken place under the leadership of Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, European Council on Tourism and Trade President and a string of key decisions for tourism and culture future in 2019 had been taken.
The main issues debated where the selection of the 2019 host cities for World Tourism Day, and the announcement of official theme of the next year tourism celebration for European Tourism Academy and European Council on Tourism and Trade.
This theme will be instrumental also in the selection of new candidates for hosting world tourism awards ceremonies in 2019.
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Main world tourism and culture awards ceremonies slated for 2019:
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Phnom Penh, the capital of Kingdom of Cambodia and Djibouti city, the capital of The Republic of Djibouti were selected as the official model cities for World Tourism Day celebrations and official hosts of global tourism events.
Both Djibouti and Phnom Penh where in previous years selected as World`s Capital of Culture and Tourism and globally recognized as centers of heritage, tourism and culture.
The city of Phnom Penh has also obtained WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION status in 2016 and hosted the World Tourism Awards ceremonies the same year establishing himself as a powerful tourism and cultural center of Indochina.
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Phnom Penh-the new WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.
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Cambodia and Djibouti have won the honor to be global examples in the tourism and cultural world for 2019.
On the venue of the same event, the WORLD TOURISM DAY 2019 theme was decided to be History and Tourism: A symbiotic relation!
The theme is destined not only to enliven tourism during 2019, but also to emphasize that tourism is inextricably linked with historical legacy.
History is the main attraction that is creating tourism demand and visitors expectation is linked with the existence of historical and cultural heritage.
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More information on Djibouti tourism potential and strategy can be extracted from these sources:
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Tourism must also be organized in such a manner to not impede conservation efforts, to support raising awareness on historical monuments and to help to acquire the financial support necessary for historical preservation activities.
Tourism and history are inseparable, are growing from the same tree: the sapling of culture and civilization.
History is the root of tourism development and tourism must feed and nurture historical preservation as leaves are feeding the tree said Professor Dr. Anton Caragea-global tourism president.
The next year celebration for World Tourism Day will take place in 27 September 2019, placing under the spotlight the culture and civilization as an integral part of tourism growth and role in the sustainable development goals agenda.
The European Council on Tourism and Trade was established as the voice of global tourism and culture for European nations and has gradually evolved since 2005 in the main driver of world tourism development.
It is focused on member countries’ politics and statal agenda in terms of tourism and trade and produces strategies, research and studies on tourism and cultural development implemented worldwide.
Its membership includes state actors, private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities
