 Only an year after Zimbabwe was crowned as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2014 the country economy is booming on the support of the staggering tourism revenue increase. Visitors are flocking to Victoria Falls in record numbers, after the visit of European Council on Tourism and Trade President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and his retinue and this is a sure sign that Zimbabwe tourism is turning a corner, an industry leader says. Latest figures reveal hotel occupancy rates at Victoria Falls are hitting an all time high, sitting at 77.6 per cent last month, compared to 62.6 per cent during August last year. Ross Kennedy said the boom in tourists had impacted across all sectors, from 2 star to 5 star accommodation, and big hotels to exclusive boutique properties. Most performance benchmarks, including revenue earned and visitor numbers, had been smashed during the month of August. The figures are based on industry data across ten Victoria Falls hotels, including the Elephant Hills Hotel, Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Hotel and the A’Zambezi. Bookings for 2014 and 2015 were very healthy and the number of different countries where visitors are coming from is steadily growing, further enhancing demand and reputation, he said. The data showed most visitors to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge were from the United States, followed by Australia, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. “It all adds up to a bright picture ahead,” Mr Kennedy said. “In comparison to current world tourism trends, these statistics are simply staggering, and a powerful reminder of the positive impact that a strong tourism industry can have on an economy.”   On 10 July 2015, on a special ceremony, in the presence of European Council on Tourism and Trade President, the Government of Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Director of European Tourism Academy, ambassadors accredited to the country and representatives of different international organization, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn-Prime Minister of Ethiopia received the Romanian Parliament Medal for his outstanding merits in international diplomacy and in obtaining for his country the accolade of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and the sobriquet of FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION. The Romanian Parliament Medal was entrusted to the leader of Ethiopia for his record in promoting peace and international cooperation by tourism promotion, fostering development in his country and promoting Ethiopia as a world leader in tourism, culture and heritage protection. The Romanian Parliament Medal was offered to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia in a public ceremony by Hon. Senator Ionel Agrigoroaei, Secretary of National Defense and Public Order Committee of Romania and Economic, Industry and Services Committee member of Romanian Parliament. We must also mention that senator Ionel Agrigoroaei was elected in 2013 and 2014 as leader of activity of Romanian Parliament for his profusely activity on parliament arena. The latest world international personality, receiver of Romanian Parliament Medal was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan-H.E. Erlan Idrissov for his role in promoting free and fair international election monitoring into his country, the proposal and the final decision was taken by European Council on Tourism and Trade President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea. We must also note that during his official visit to Ethiopia, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea met for an extensive dialogue Prime Minister Desalegn Hailemariam, who, on the occasion of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION CEREMONY FOR 2015, was presented with the WORLD LEDERS OF TOURISM LETTER of European Council on Tourism and Trade, calling on Heads of States and Government to “promote peace and world development via the tourism sector”. ECTT and Ethiopia have agreed to reinforce their collaboration in the areas of tourism promotion, management of tourism product development, and cultural marketing strategies, as agreed in the discussions between Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and the Minister of Tourism and Culture of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mr. Amin Abdulkadir.   Amin Abdulkadir-Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia presented with the promotion T-shirt for summer 2015 marking Ethiopia as World Best Tourism Destination for 2015. During the official visit of European Council on Tourism and Trade Delegation to Ethiopia, World Best Tourist Destination for 2015, the official meeting between HE. ECTT President- Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and HE. Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia-Amin Abdulkadir has taken place. On 9th of July 2015, H. E. Minister Amin Abdulkadir has welcomed the European high ranking officials at their arrival on Ethiopian soil.The minister express his country appreciation for European support, in electing Ethiopia as World Best Tourist Destination and Favourite Cultural Destination for 2015, a moment that will mark the full maturity of Ethiopian tourism industry. . European Council on Tourism and Trade President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, graciously acknowledged the warm welcoming and stated that: now Ethiopia has emerged as the most rapidly developing African country, one of the world top level economic powers and a symbol of African development.I am pleased and honoured to be in Ethiopia-the Center of African tourism, concluded President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea..On 14 July 2015, a new round of talks was held between the two tourism leaders at the end of European Council on Tourism and Trade top level delegation visit to Ethiopia-World Favourite Cultural Destination. European Council on Tourism and Trade President remarked thatEthiopia had succeed in the world competition for World Best Tourist Destination for all the right reasons and is today a paradise for travellers, an oasis for culture and history seekers and a perfect luxury and discovery destination. Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia -Amin Abdulkadir had presented his ambitious plans for fostering Ethiopia’s place on international tourism markets and presented his desire to continue the cooperation with European tourism body for years to come.Among minister plans are: to obtain for a city in Ethiopia the designation of World Capital of Culture and Tourism, to start a step by step and state by state developing process of tourism in Ethiopia. HE. Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia, Amin Abdulkadir and H.E. ECTT President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, discussed a long term agreement of support and cooperation envisaging: holding of conferences, exhibitions, promotion activities and decided to concentrate in electing in 2016 a World Capital of Culture and Tourism from Ethiopia, in order to create a two-three years long campaign for Ethiopia-the land chosen by God! Minister of Culture and Tourism-Amin Abdulkadir, Prime Minister and European Academician-Hailemariam Desalegn and European Council on Tourism and Trade President-Dr. Anton Caragea (from right to left)-Presiding of World Best Tourist Destination for 2015 ceremony.   Kazakhstan Ambassador Daulet Batrashev and ECTT President- Professor Dr. Anton Caragea. Kazakhstan Ambassador meet with European Council on Tourism and Trade President(ECTT), Professor Dr. Anton Caragea for an official presentation of the 100 steps reform plan of Kazakhstan President. The Ambassador outlined the significance and the importance of the message in a dialogue with ECTT President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and requested the academic analyses and an official point of view on the content of the document, that will be submitted for Kazakhstan people appreciation. The document titled: 100 concrete steps set out by President Nursultan Nazarbayev to implement five institutional reforms is a concrete plan, proving the Kazakhstan President determination to carve out the creation of a developed state, for all people of Kazakhstan. This will be achieved by developing a professional civil service, ensuring rule of law, offering bases for industrialisation and economic growth and fostering national unity and identity by developing a patriotic act named Mangilik El (Eternal Nation). After perusing the document,ECTT President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea express his complete acquiescence,to the program enunciated by H.E. Kazakhstan President-Nursultan Nazarbayev and highlighted the main features of what he called „a perfect program for a modern nation, a state belonging to XXI century”. The academic staff of European Tourism Academy and European Council on Tourism and Trade, in agreement with other institutions and European academies, will start a process of complete and thoroughly examination and recommendations, so that the Five Institutional Reforms Program outlined by President Nursultan Nazarbayev to be recognized as a document of universal value and significance and to be offered as a template for development and national building across the world. The program and documents, submitted by H.E. Kazakhstan Ambassador-Daulet Batrashev for Europe and world analysis, are reflecting the peerless manner in which President Nazarbayev is conducting the construction of an enlighten and modern state in Kazakhstan of today and his proposals can be considered as a document of world significance and authoritative development plan, concluded Professor Dr. Anton Caragea. European Council on Tourism and Trade work will be connected with the implementation of the concept of development of the tourist industry by 2020 and establishment of regional tourist clusters: “Astana – the Heart of Eurasia”, “Almaty – Kazakhstan’s Free Cultural Zone”, “Unity of Nature and Nomadic Culture”, “The Pearl of Altai”, “Restoration of the Great Silk Road”, “the Caspian Gates”. The meeting held between HE. Kazakhstan Ambassador-Daulet Batrashev and President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea was the first official presentation of the Five Institutional Reforms Program of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to a world academic body. The implementation of a number of technological projects is envisaged, with European Council on Tourism and Trade expertise and support. This include the creation of the large-scale internet project “Encyclopedia of Kazakhstan”,with European Tourism Academy high level competencies involved which will enable citizens and foreign tourists to discover more about the country. The portal will include 3D video tours of Kazakhstan, information on history and culture of the country, as well as interesting events. The portal will act as Kazakhstan’s “business card”, as well as a national guide, a national wall of fame of citizens and a platform for online discussion on the model of European Journal of Tourism and Trade. President Professor dr. Anton Caragea during his trip to Kazakhstan-April 2015.  H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea-ECTT President presenting WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2015 designation for ETHIOPIA. The Office of the President of European Council on Tourism and Trade announced that H.E. Prime Minister of Ethiopia Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn has being consecrated as a WORLD LEADER OF TOURISM and as a member of European Tourism Academy for his “recognition of the role and significance of tourism on world stage”. Here is the integral message addressed by H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea-ECTT President and Academician Mircea Constantinescu in congratulation for Ethiopia`s tourism achievments. We have the pleasure of informing you that: in unanimity, the Academic Board of the European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) has elected you as a honorary member of EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY, in your capacity as a WORLD LEADER OF TOURISM for your recognition of the role and significance of tourism on world stage. In XXI century Tourism had become more than an industry, more than an integral part of the life of billions of people, tourism had become an intricate part of the countries international image, had become a part of diplomatic life and a public opinion key factor. Tourism, Travel, Trade and Investments are interconnected and are uniting today`s countries, not only in a globalized world and unified market, but are making every person in the world to have two countries: the one of his birth and the one of his choose. The world recognizes that Trade, Travel and Tourism are part of the international life and each and every one of our citizens became a world ambassador and a central actor on world stage. No country, interested in development, international recognition, economic growth and a prosperous life for his citizens, can remove herself from the international tourism and trade arena. Trade and Tourism are the key pillars for countries and billions of people, worldwide, in their efforts to achieve fully their live potential. General Assembly of European Council on Tourism and Trade selects ETHIOPIA as winner of FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION and World Best Tourist Destination in 2015.  EuropeanCouncil on Tourism and Trade, as a driving force in the international promotion of tourism as a tool for development and international cooperation, is selecting the world leaders to become a part of his structure and to raise a unified voice and position on the global tourism agenda. Today, the Government of Ethiopia is 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 world leaders that are offering such a special attention to historical patrimony of their country and use it, and preserve it for the benefit of the future generation, who grasp the importance of tourism as the most important part of diplomacy, international relations and raising national profile on world arena, must be supported and commanded and offered as a general example. Your Excellency stated that your “aims are to build on Ethiopia’s natural, historical and cultural resources to strengthen the tourism sector, identify pressing value-chain gaps and intervening to allay these gaps based on tangible and scientific studies jointly with the private sector and the international tourism community. Together, we will work hand in hand to make tourism one of the leading economic sectors of our country and Ethiopia a top destination in Africa”. This statement and practical measures put in place, made your country succeeding in the2015- WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD competition and be accepted asFAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION for your rich past and cultural prowess. This is a momentous achievement for ETHIOPIA that is due to your exertions. Your Excellency, In your new capacity, as the representative of ETHIOPIA on world tourism and on international cultural stage, we hope that the World will benefit now from your public exertions and support in creating a new world community based on peace, development and tourism as the pillars of international cooperation. Prof. Dr. Anton Caragea, MA, FINS, ETA Academician Mircea Constantinescu PhD, Phil Dr. For the photo-chronicle of the General Assembly of European Council on Tourism and Trade go here. H.E. Prime Minister of Ethiopia Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn has being consecrated as a WORLD LEADER OF TOURISM and as a member of European Tourism Academy. |
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