Category: HONORARY ACADEMICIAN FOR CAMBODIA PRIME MINISTER SAMDECH AKKA MOHA SENA PADEI TECHO HUN SEN

ACAD. MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU: MAYOR. TAKELE UMA BENTI IS OUTLINING A CITY TOURISM SUCCESS STORY

1/28/2019

The Office of the President of European Council on Tourism and Trade announced that H.E. Takele Benti Uma, Mayor and Head of Local Government of Addis Ababa has being inducted as member in the EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY.

The decision come after the European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT), jointly with the European Tourism Academy and the Parliamentary Assembly for Sustainable Development Goals organized the First Academic and Mayors Forum for Culture and Tourism – ‘WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM: protecting heritage and promoting tourism’, between 16 to 19 January 2019.

The official letter emanating from European Council on Tourism and Trade encourages Addis Ababa city administration to continue on the road for development via tourism growth and for poverty reduction strategy:

With Your Excellency support, the Government of F.D.R Ethiopia lead by Academician SAHLE-WORK ZEWDE has recognized and abated the importance of culture and tourism as key facilitators for the country development and international promotion.

Your Excellency confidence in the bright future of Ethiopian nation and practical measures put in place, made your capital country to succeed in the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM competition and be accepted as FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION for your city incredible weight of culture, history prowess and contribution to humanity legacy.

This is a new momentous achievement for ADDIS ABABA, a moment that is due to your exertions.

In your new capacity, as the representative of ADDIS ABABA 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.

Eng. Takele Uma Benti was elected as a member of European Tourism Academy for creating a perfect development team with the nations President office and for his visionary policies that envisioned Addis Ababa as a melting pot not only for all citizens of Ethiopia regardless of region or social class but for all citizens of the world that want to come to invest and build a new Addis Ababa.

Addis Ababa is conceived by his administration as “a microcosm of our “rainbow” nation, bubbling with all kinds of diversity—ethnic, cultural, spiritual, and economy. A melting pot where Ethiopia’s many cultures meet and intersect.

It’s also our primary gateway to the world and Africa’s undisputed diplomatic capital” this is how Eng. Takele Uma Benti had envisioned Addis Ababa future.

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY EVENTS SCHEDULE FOR ADDIS ABABA

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

OFFICIAL ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF ACADEMICIAN ISMAIL OMAR GUELLEH ON HIS ADMISSION IN EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY

4/28/2018

OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF
H.E. ISMAIL OMAR GUELLEH

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF DJIBOUTI ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ELEVATION TO THE HONOUR OF ACADEMICIAN

Mr. President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea,

It is with great joy and pride that I welcome this distinction.

Through me, it is Djibouti and its population that you just honor. Therefore, first of all, Mr. President, on behalf of the people of Djibouti, I thank you personally as well as the academy that you are leading for this mark of trust and esteem that you show us.

This distinction, Mr. President, as meritorious as it may be, we take it neither as a consecration nor as a reward. But as an encouragement. An encouragement to persevere on the path that we have traced in the development of tourism.

It is always rewarding to be supported in its efforts, especially by an institution like yours that has always defended a vision of tourism and culture centered on the human.

Ladies and gentlemen

There are different ways to define and perceive Djibouti and its people.

Some speak of us as a pebble in the middle of the desert. Others, no doubt nostalgic of a colonial era yet gone, we reduce to a sign on which is written "Territory of the Afars and Issas".

The most innovative identify us with a geostrategic basis for the military powers.
But fortunately for us, ladies and gentlemen, there are still many people around the world who do not reduce us to these anachronistic clichés and labels.

For us and for all those citizens of the world who have had the opportunity to stay in our country, Djibouti, it is this land of meetings and exchanges at the confluence of all roads, maritime, land and air.

For us and for all these citizens of the world, Djibouti is a story and even a prehistory that geology, geography and archeology keep telling through times and ages.

Those who marveled at the pristine beauty of the Lac Abbé, those who accompanied a caravan on the ice floe of Lake Assal, those there have the feeling of what is Djibouti. And it is probably because they felt the magic of a captivating space that Tazief and Rimbaud spoke in their time of "a book of open geology" and "a lunar landscape".

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen

We are therefore looking forward today to this international recognition of our country as "World Capital of Culture and Tourism".

Our country contains sites that are well worth detours. I mentioned Lake Assal and Lac Abbé earlier, but I could have mentioned the prehistoric frescoes of Abourma or the primary Forest du Day.

I could also mention the extraordinary biodiversity of our flora and fauna which includes endemic species such as Djibouti Francolin or Beira gazelle.

I could also mention the extraordinary cultural richness of our communities. These nomads rooted in their territories. But also these citizens who are the fruits of a historic melting pot, and which makes Djibouti a haven of tolerance and living together.

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen,

In our development strategy for our country, we are very sensitive to the benefits of tourism, its impact on growth, and its role in the fight against poverty. In a decade and thanks to all the efforts made to increase its attractiveness, our country has more than quadrupled the proportion of tourists.

Naturally, the Government is encouraging this job-creating dynamic for our youth and generating foreign currency for our economy. So much so that we have not hesitated to build the tourism industry as one of the economic pillars of the 2035 vision.

In the frenzied global competition that drives the tourism sector, we want to remain lucid to avoid falling into certain pitfalls.

We do not want to sacrifice to all-tourism territories and ecosystems that we know as fragile.

We do not want to build this still burgeoning sector on an economic model that plunders and torpedoes the ecological balance of territories and populations.

Faced with the short-term and consumerist promises of a tourism industry that often degrades, pollutes and destroys, we want to get out of the Manichean trap of all-tourism or its opposite, for a responsible solution that integrates the tourism industry into a development plan sustainable.

Djibouti has chosen a niche tourism that connects individuals, cultures and civilizations.

The choice of a tourism that has an important role to play in the dialogue of cultures and in living together.

The choice of balance between our development objectives and the indispensable protection of our social, cultural and environmental heritages.

It is a difficult choice whose dividends, although promising, are still meager.

But a choice that my country assumes for the sake of fairness and justice for future generations of our country.

Thank you for your attention!

ACADEMICIAN MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU: PRESIDENT ISMAIL OMAR GUELLEH IS ONE OF THE GREATEST LEADERS THAT AFRICA IS HAVING TODAY!

4/28/2018

HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT OF DJIBOUTI
ACADEMICIAN ISMAIL OMAR GUELLEH,

LAUDATIO

Your Excellency Mr. Presidents Ismail Omar Gulleh and Dr. Anton Caragea,
Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

We are here for the induction ceremony of H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, the President of Djibouti as the newest member of European Tourism Academy and to confer upon His Excellency as in academic tradition the Medal of Honor of the European Academy.

As prescribed by the protocol the presentation of the new member of Academic community is made public for the benefit of a global audience.

Analyzing the curriculum vitae along with the activity of the President Ismail Omar Guelleh 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 Djibouti, dedicated to building a favorable image of Djibouti in the midst of the international community.

Serving his countries in many administrative capacities gave him access to a high level of knowledge and expertise, and was fundamental for building a solid education and experience in managing the country, giving him an European and international perspective upon the transfer of knowledge, expertise and technology.

We can say that Djibouti is not only a beautiful country. But is having a great president in his service!

H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh loves his country and the people of Djibouti. He learned how important the resources are for a country, how important the expert management of such vital resources is for the well being and the successful development of Djibouti.
But during the years of his presidency he wanted more…He wanted to acquire knowledge of scientific management of the country, of its human resources and natural resources as well.

We may say that during his years of Presidency, President Guelleh put again Djibouti on the world map. A wise internal, regional and international policy made Djibouti a point of balance, a strategic area, an extensive zone of stability and peace. During the last decade, President Guelleh carried extensive talks and negotiations with the leaders of the most powerful nations of the world (United States, France, the traditional partner, and China, the new dynamic financial, economical and strategic partner).

Using a diplomatic language we may say that under the Presidency of H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, Djibouti became a country exporter of security and stability at a local and global level.

President Guelleh also addressed in a positive manner to global problems that adversely influence mainly countries of the world: poverty and hunger, persistent unemployment and armed violent conflicts and climate change.

With Djibouti firmly inscribed this year as the number five economy in the world in terms of economic growth rate we can appreciate that Djibouti is on the right track.

The complex ties and trade policies connecting Djibouti with Ethiopia are also an example of successful cooperation between neighboring countries.

We will not analyze here in extensor the political activity of H.E. President Ismail Omar Guelleh , but taking actively part in the political life of his country, it gave him the opportunity to work with people of Djibouti, to be in the middle of people of Djibouti, to efficiently communicate, and being able to implement at the highest level the management of the country activities, reflecting the reality of Djibouti and the wishes of Djibouti people.

The most valuable resource of a country are its people, the young generation as educated people imbeded in a local and international culture and education.

And specially in this real we must emphasize a strong line of achievements that will highlight Djibouti future for years and years to come.

The honorary titles received in this regard by the President Ismail Omar Guelleh in Turkey, from the University Yildirim Beyazit, along with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and in Ethiopia from the University Hararmayo represents only a tiny piece of recognition of the effort and the interest of the President in supporting the education and culture in Djibouti. For the interested we invite them to visit at least the 7000 students of the University of Djibouti (with Faculties of Law, Economics and Management, Science, Medicine, Engineering, Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences).

At last but not least, H.E. President Ismail Omar Guelleh carefully and efficiently supported many humanitarian initiatives developed in the projects coordinated by the First Lady Mrs. Kadra Mahamoud Haid, for the benefit of the health of many young women, for the empowerment of the new generation of women’s and opening the gates of education and responsibility for thousand of djiboutians.

His Excellency activity in the area of foreign affairs was indeed another work of impressive 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.

Today celebration when we crown Djibouti as a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM is the direct recognition of these years of diplomatic activities, of investments in promoting the image of the country, opening vast infrastructure programs that made the Djibouti the place where all the trades, tourism and diplomatic roads of the world start.

Transforming Djibouti in the last twenty years in an oasis of peace, obtaining for his country the global recognition and inscription on WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM list are historical achievements that need to be rewarded.

In recognition of his life-long contribution to the development of Djibouti, we are proud to hand over The Medal Of Honor to his Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti and to recognize him as the newest academician of the European Tourism Academy.

AMBASSADOR DHO YOUNG-SHIM LETTER PRESENTED TO EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE PRESIDENT - PROFESSOR DR. ANTON CARAGEA

4/30/2017

H.E. AMBASSADOR OF REPUBLIC OF KOREA MR. KIM EUN-JOONG RECEIVED BY ECTT PRESIDENT POFESSOR DR. ANTON CARAGEA

On the approaching UNWTO competition, H.E. Ambassador of Republic of Korea Mr. Kim Eun-joong had presented, in a special audience with H.E. ECTT President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, the program of Korean candidate for United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary general position.

H. E. President Dr. Anton Caragea perused the document and appreciated his context and his vision and wished all the future success to Korean candidate: Ambassador Dho Young Shim.

Professor Dr. Anton Caragea remarked that: This year race for UNWTO Secretary General top job is a special one, as candidates from all continents had submitted their candidatures and we wish them all success in bringing a new breath of life in the organization.

We have also being happy to see inscribed in the competition our member Academician Walter Mzembi, Africa`s candidate and a man that we value and hold dear.

Until now we did`not issued any recommendation for voting for our members in this election, announced President Dr. Anton Caragea.

I think is better if we leave all the countries to decide on the future leader of UNWTO on their own accord and taken under consideration the future of tourism interest and their national tourism development opportunities.

May the best one win! marked Professor Dr. Anton Caragea the end of his audience with Korean Ambassador .

Here is the vision of Republic of Korea candidate Ambassador Dho Young Shim regarding the future of tourism in the world:

Your Excellency

In just a matter of days, one of the most important decisions for the future of global tourism will be taken at the 105th session of the UNWTO Executive Council. May 12th, 2017 is when 33 Executive Council Members will propose a successor to Dr. Taleb Rifai as the next UNWTO Secretary General.

This recommendation cannot be taken lightly – there is too much at stake.

Starting from day 1 of taking office, the new Secretary General must build on the invaluable work of Dr Rifai, maintaining and enhancing the support and cooperation achieved with governments, businesses, academia, the UN system, other International Organisations, NGOs, and travellers worldwide.

As you yourself know, the role of tourism in global development – poverty alleviation, sustainability, unity, inclusivity, peace and stability – is too important for leadership risk-taking. Making the right choice demands focus on candidate vision, credentials and character. The world of tourism depends on it.

From the outset of our candidacy, we are very grateful to you for having listened to our approach to the next leadership of the Organisation, which offers a combination of stability and renovation. Together, we will respectfully and responsibly build on the legacy received, injecting an enhanced level of energy and strategic mobilisation to take the Organisation to new heights.

Our candidacy as a team “ticket”, a woman and a man of different, yet complementary professional paths and accomplishments in the tourism sector, and from two regions of the world distant from each other, yet clearly determined to work together, is unique. Our combination is a perfect fit as a team, and our experience with UNWTO will ensure our effectiveness from day one. Over the past twenty years we both have been intimately associated to the Organisation, both externally and internally.

By choosing us the Secretariat of the UNWTO will be headed for the first time by a woman, and by someone from Asia, the second region of the world by its tourist activity after Europe, which has held the post of Secretary-General on three out of five occasions.

Importantly, the fact that we both come from the G20 and the OECD economically advanced countries – the Republic of Korea and Spain – enhances our ability to strengthen UNWTO membership, bringing back to the UNWTO the industrialized countries that are currently distant from the organisation or even those that were never with us.

Our partnership reflects our vision: one of a strong, delivery-focused UNWTO, championing global Tourism as a key enabler to fulfilment of the greater global growth agenda. Our immediate priorities will be:

Structure:

To establish a lean, agile & delivery-focused structure with the necessary transparency of internal processes and resource allocation, together with sound financial management and effective generation of voluntary contributions.
To increase and strengthen the membership body, using our network of high-level connections as OECD countries and also within the UN System.
To adopt a customer relationship policy for members to reach high satisfaction levels and loyalty, and instil a sense of pride in being a UNWTO Member.

Strategy:

To define priority projects / themes, especially with regard to new marketing trends, as well as new tourism markets and tourist profiles, with a special focus on the main outbound markets
To amplify efforts toward an increased facilitation of travel in a safe, secure and seamless manner. We will propose to use the privilege UNWTO possesses as a specialized agency of the UN, to put the two issues of tourism visas and travel advisories to the ECOSOC, in accordance with the agreement linking the two institutions.
To assist Small Islands States as well as coastal States, to apply sustainable development models to their fragile environments and to the low level of diversification of their economies
To promote women empowerment and gender equality in tourism
To pay a special attention to social tourism, promoting universal access to travel and leisure for vulnerable groups: seniors, disabled people, indigenous communities or disadvantaged groups
To encourage the development of Public Private Partnership initiatives among members
To make UNWTO an exemplary organization for sustainable development solutions and environmental and societal practices, and develop partnerships around climate change, green growth, etc.
To advance in the use of technology for smart destinations and the new concepts of digitalization applied to Tourism, identifying opportunities for members, including analysing, processing and application of big data, virtual reality, augmented reality for better understanding, planning and optimizing the visitors´ experiences.
To assist members in destination management and improving competitiveness and attractiveness, and defining standards, in terms of environment and quality of services at the destination level

Intelligence:

To strengthen the research capacity of the Organisation producing a wealth of studies for advocacy purposes, including:

accurate measure of the economic and social effects of sustainable tourism with a methodology that cannot be questioned and all the necessary indicators
resources allocated by countries and destinations to marketing, branding and promotion activities to be able to design a global marketing model for measuring the impact and the efficiency of promotional campaigns on foreign markets
domestic tourism to better understand its nature and measure its impact
issues and impacts related to “private services on digital platforms”, inaccurately identified as “collaborative/sharing economy” incl. consequences on more traditional components of the travel industry
evolution of some niche markets including business tourism / MICE, cultural tourism, shopping tourism, urban tourism, cruises, adventure tourism, youth tourism, health & wellness tourism, religious tourism, gastronomy and wine tourism, as well as rural tourism and mountain tourism and evaluate the tourism impact of major sports and cultural events.

The Executive Council’s choice identification and proposal of the next Secretary General of the UNWTO needs to focus on competence in Tourism, for Tourism. The future of the UNWTO and wider UN system’s ability to utilise Tourism as a critical tool for development of nations, as well as fulfilment of the SDGs, depends on the Executive Council Members choosing carefully and responsibly the most capable and experienced leadership.

Together we must ensure it is a future defined by leadership before leaders.

We thank you.

The list of candidates for UNWTO secretary position:

Brazil:

Mr. Márcio Favilla submitted with the support of the Government of Brazil and received on 6 March 2017;
Colombia:

Mr. Jaime Alberto Cabal Sanclemente submitted with the support of the Government of Colombia and received on 6 March 2017;
Georgia:

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili submitted with the support of the Government of Georgia and received on 2 December 2016;
Republic of Korea:
Mrs. Young-shim Dho submitted with the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea and received on 24 February 2017;
Seychelles:

Mr. Alain St. Ange submitted with the support of the Government of Seychelles and received on 18 January 2017;

Zimbabwe:

Mr. Walter Mzembi submitted with the support of the Government of Zimbabwe and received on 4 March 2017;

Korean UNWTO candidate
Ambassador Dho Young SHIM

EUROPE HOSTS CONGRESS ON ETHICS AND TOURISM-EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE ANNOUNCES

4/24/2017

European Tourism and Academy and World Tourism Institute - European Council on Tourism and Trade are proudly announcing the hosting in Europe of the Congress on Ethics and Tourism.

This gathering is aiming at highlighting the necessity to foster an ethic and development oriented tourism is more relevant as this year we are marking The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development to be celebrated throughout 2017.

The main target of the event will focus on the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in promoting a more sustainable tourism sector.

The tourism and ethics experts gathering will discuss the global sustainability agenda, particularly issues of governance and corporate social responsibility (CSR), responsible tourism consumption patterns, universal accessibility and effective management models for natural and cultural resources in line with tourism ethic manual.

On the agenda of the conclave must be also included tourism practices that contribute to socio-economic empowerment of local communities and individuals and spread the benefits of tourism development, notably to women, youth, indigenous people and persons with disabilities.

The assembly will further highlight the competitive advantages of investing in a more inclusive and diverse tourism sector.

The meeting is more important as it is ascribed to the necessity of creating a large current of opinion in respecting the value of travel advisories, in creating a safe environment for tourism and placing the safety and well being of tourism always at the fore, stated European Council on Tourism and Trade President.

The instructions to amalgamate in this year European Tourism Academy decision regarding WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM the issues of ethics and safeness with even more scrutiny than usual will be carried out to the fullest stated Academician Ionut Costea.

The GLOBAL TOURISM ETHIC COVENANT can be read out here.

EUROPEAN GUIDE FOR TOURISM PRACTICES can be assessed via this link.

EUROPE`S NEW ACADEMICIAN: PRIME MINISTER OF KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA SAMDECH HUN SEN GIVES HIS INAUGURAL LECTURE

7/11/2016

Academician Dr. HUN SEN, Prime Minister of Cambodia, surrounded with love and respect on the platform of WORD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION CEREMONY for 2016.

Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN is entrusted with CRISTAL TROPHY, signal of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD for 2016 by H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, European Council on Tourism and Trade President.

Academician Dr. HUN SEN raises the HONORARY ACADEMICIAN CERTIFICATEto be observed by the audience of WORLD TOURISM AWARDS ceremonies.

Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN delivers the enlighten declaration for WORLD TOURISM AWARDS ceremony in 2016.

Business community pay attention, with pleasure, to the speech of Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN.Cambodia economy is booming and they are requested to add their intake.

The proud army of Kingdom of Cambodia attending a peaceful victory ceremony: Cambodia triumph of World Tourism Competition.

The win -win policy of Academician Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN is regarded as a world model of diplomacy by all international diplomats present on the venue of WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATION ceremony.

Hundreds of international diplomats are witnessing the crowning of Cambodia as a world symbol: WOLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATION and FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION in 2016.

The youth of Cambodia are at the center of Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN policies and vision.WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATION status is an achievement for their future.

Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, World Tourism and Development Leader, is marking the opening of WORLD TOURISM AWARDS ceremonies for 2016.

On the international platform of WORLD TOURISM AWARDS for 2016 and on the occasion of Kingdom of Cambodia scoring two impressive victories as 2016 WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and FAVOURITE CULTURAL DESTINATION H.E. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia presented his Inaugural Lecture as the member of EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY.
In his first academic lecture, the new member of WORLD TOURISM INSTITUTE-EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY outlined his vision for world tourism in an outstanding declaration.

INAUGURAL LECTURE

PRESENTED
By
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia
At the Celebration of Cambodia’s winning of World Best Tourist Destination Award for 2016 and the Declaration of Cambodia as “a Favorite Cultural Destination in 2016”

Peace Palace, June 22, 2016

– H.E. Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade

– Distinguished National and International Guests!

Today, I am delighted to participate in the ceremony to celebrate Cambodia being awarded “World Best Tourist Destination 2016 Award”and the Inauguration of “Cambodia as a Favorite Cultural Destination in 2016”, along with the first Competition on “First Good Hospitality”.

At the outset, I would like to extend a very warm welcome the delegation of the European Council on Tourism and Trade to this event.

I would like to also express my gratitude and appreciation to H.E. Dr. Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade and his colleagues for creating this highly important award which will help promote Cambodia tourism.

I also thank the European Council on Tourism and Trade for electing me as an honorary member of the European Tourism Academy.

On behalf of the Royal Government and People of Cambodia, I am really proud that the Kingdom of Cambodia has been awarded the World Best Tourist Destination 2016 Award along with the declaration of “Cambodia as a Popular Cultural Destination in 2016”.

This result indeed attests to real situation of Cambodia and the wonder of Cambodia as “Culture and Nature” tourist destination which is now a major tourist destination in Asia and Southeast Asia, a region that is enjoying high tourism growth thanks to richness of culture, history and nature.

Cambodia has indeed been playing a key role in connecting this regional and highly attractive tourism network.

Overall, the temple of Angkor which is the heritage of humanity and the wonder of the world, the temple of Preah Vihear which is of outstanding universal value, the temple of Sambor Prei Kuk and thousands of other temples within the country and vast natural resources along Cambodia’s Beaches that have been awarded the world most beautiful beaches, Mekong River which has freshwater dolphins, eco-tourism region in the northeastern and southeastern Cambodia, Tonle Sap Lake, traditions and customs and the friendliness of the people, couples with security and safety factors within the country are the great magnet for tourists.

Those factors help Cambodia live up to its international recognition as “Kingdom of Wonder”.

As raised by H.E. Dr. Anton Caragea that Cambodia deserves the reputation of “The Kingdom of Wonder” and this reputation has noticeably contributed to the development of tourism sector in Cambodia within this last two decades. In fact, the revenue that comes from tourism sector is a significant contribution to Cambodia’s macroeconomic stability andsocio-economic progress and help promote the growth of some supporting sectors such as agriculture, trade, infrastructure and SMEs.

Furthermore, the development of tourism sector has generated revenue that support culture conservation and protection of environment and natural resource in effective and responsible way.

With this, I would like to thank the European Council on Tourism and Trade for considering “Cambodia: A Global Role Model of Equitable Distribution of Income from Tourism Development”.

With this spirit, Cambodia is committed to developing its tourism sector in a sustainable, responsible and equitable manner that contributes to economic growth and poverty reduction and responds to climate change.

This “Green Gold” will pay an important role in accomplishing the UN’s sustainable development goals 2030.

On its part, Cambodia will be active and pro-active in grabbing opportunities arising from its wonder as the world tourist destination.

This helps ensure not only socio-economic
benefits, high income for the people and sustainable development, but also the protection of cultural and natural resources, in short “Cambodia’s wonder serves tourism, tourism serves Cambodia’s wonder”.

Excellencies, Ladies, Gentlemen!

It is undeniable that although the government has strived hard as stated above, the success of tourism sector would have never been achieved without active participation from private sector and Cambodian people. In this regards, we can say that this positive result is mainly attributed to our concerted effort, unity and ownership.

Hence, to continue promoting tourism sector in Cambodia to become the “World Best Tourist Destination” and “Tourist Destination with Warm Hospitality”, on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, I would like to give some recommendations as follows:

1st. I am of the view that today’s success in tourism development, especially Cambodia’s attractiveness proclaimed as the world‘s best tourist destination rely on smiling and friendly faces of those at the front ranging from flight services, international border checkpoints, accommodation, food, entertainment and so on.

Therefore, the contest “Good Hospitality” is a new national agenda, and we need to understand that “Hospitality is our obligation” and hospitality is what we can do immediately with our requiring any means.

Furthermore, to make Cambodia the world tourist destination that welcomes 7 million international tourists by 2020 and hosts SEA Game in 2023, I wish to urge all the relevant parties to participate actively in the contest “Good Hospitality”, including (1). Good hospitality in tourism services, (2). Good hospitality in public service in clean city and (3). Good hospitality of migration official at international border checkpoints.

2nd. At this moment, I would like to announce the campaign “Cambodia: Kingdom of Wonder” along with slogan “providing warmth to tourists” to become a highly attractive advertisement to the world as well as an important message to increase the number of returning tourists to Cambodia.

3rd. The Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to further conserving natural and cultural resources as well as developing better tourist products and services in response to the context of regional and global integration.

In this regards, I request that relevant ministries and institutions pay attention to protecting invaluable cultural and natural resources.

Furthermore, they also have to ensure that every tourism-relateddevelopment and construction in the conservation, heritage and protected areas as well as coastal areas must comply with the principles of sustainability, culture and tradition, and certain regulation while responding to environmental and climate change issues.

4th. On top of the protection of natural and cultural resources together with this friendliness, I suggest all relevant parties to continue their active participation in the campaign “Clean Cambodia, Green Cambodia” by actively supporting the movement contest “Clean City, Clean Resort, Good Service, Good Hospitality”.

5th. To contribute to the promotion of tourism competitiveness in Cambodia, the Ministry of Tourism must strive to cooperate with relevant institutions to further develop creative and innovative tourist products and create more package tours to make Cambodia become the “center of regional tourism”.

In this regard, I would like to request the European Council on Tourism and Trade and private partners to continue supporting Cambodia in the advertisement of tourism development and attract more European and international investors and tourists to Cambodia.

6th. To transform Cambodia into the world’s tourist destination, it is required to take into account the quality of tourism services and green standard of each service, coupled with sufficient and skilled human resources.

In this sense, I would like to request H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and H.E. Mircea Constantinescu, Head of European Tourism Academy, to cooperate and support Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism to further study and develop tourism standards, strengthen and develop human resources in tourism sector, as well as to conduct tourism study and research more comprehensively while the sector rapidly develops in globalization context.

Once again, I strongly believe that Cambodia, with this invaluable award, would become a warm and attractive tourist destination with good welfare provided to tourists and people.

Moreover, it would also become an attractive green tourist destination with friendly and smiling faces, which can be named as “Cambodia: the Kingdom of Smiles”, and this helps raise Cambodia’s reputation and prestige as “Cambodia: Kingdom of Wonder” in international arena.
Finally, along with the award celebration of “Cambodia: the World’s Best Tourist Destination for 2016”, coupled with the announcement of “Cambodia: Favorite Cultural Destination for 2016” and the movement contest of “First Good Hospitality”, I wish H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and senior delegation of the European Council on Tourism and Trade happiness, prosperity and success in every undertaking.

At the same time, I also wish Excellencies, ladies, gentlemen and all participants the four gems of Buddha’s blessings: Longevity, Nobility, Health and Strength.

OFFICIAL ACCEPTANCE ALLOCUTION OF DR. HUN SEN IN EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY DELIVERED BY ACADEMICIAN MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU

6/30/2016

A congratulatory acolade between European Tourism Academy leader, MIRCEA CONSTATINESCU and Academician Dr. HUN SEN leader of the Cambodian people and World Leader for Tourism and Development.

Laudatio for H.E. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo

Hun Sen,Prime Minister of Royal Government of Cambodia

EUROPEAN ACADEMICIAN

Your Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo- Hun Sen,Prime Minister of Royal Government of Cambodia,

Members of the Cambodian Parliament and members of the Cambodian Government,

Honorable audience,

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

We traveled for almost 24 hours, flying more than 10.000 km in order to bring to you, the people of the Cambodia, our message of friendship, peace, tolerance and mutual understanding, a message from the very heart of the Europe.

We are here to award to His Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo- Hun Sen, the title of HONORARY MEMBER of European Tourism Academy, member of theUnited Nations Academic Initiative.

For me this laudatio is a very special and heartfelt occasion.

We are talking here about the life and the activity of a great national and international personality that mark indelibly the past and present of Cambodia and will continue to give an impetus to the future of Cambodia and the global world destiny.

The life and the activity of your extraordinary Prime Minister spans for almost the last five decades and is closely connected to the history of the Cambodian nation and to the fight, existence and hopes of the Cambodian people.

During this period of time Prime Minister Hun Sen was one by one: strong fighter, versatile diplomat, powerful and visionary leader, playing on the internal and international arena an ever-growing role.

So it was clear from the beginning that an award for such an outstanding personality should encompass his entire activity.

On the other side, some remarkable points in His Excellency biography should be revealed:

At the age of 18, when other future leaders-to-be where still in their infancy, he was already fighting for his country and for a better future of the Cambodian people. He realized that military victory, especially in a civil war, is only the beginning of a much difficult struggle to restore a peaceful and prosperous life to Cambodian people.

This made him to be a MAN OF ACTION

His diplomatic intuition was extremely helpful in the domestic and international arena.

His strong belief in the win-win strategy as the best strategy in most situations, was keeping the country away from conflict, and in the middle of productive dialogs.

These traits made him to be a MAN OF DIALOGUE.

A perfectly balanced and well documented PHD in Politics from National Political Academy, had splendidly anchored the political activities and first hand governmental experience with the knowledge and the sobriety of the research necessary to carry out an PhD Thesis.

This succesful coronation of the prescribed curriculum made him a MAN OF REFLECTION.

Finally, he also had the intuition and the knowledge that the economic development, the fight against poverty might be closely linked to the tourism and to the preservation of the cultural heritage.

We must note here a long and painstaking activity of coordinating culture, tourism and development for more than 40 years, activity reflected not only in more than 200 of speeches, works and allocutions but also in achievements that are speaking for themselves: from the ashes of civil war Cambodia is proclaimed today by the international community as a WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION.

From a country ravaged by the conflicts and hunger, the glory of Cambodia`s past was resurrected, ancient temples like Preah Vihear restored to the nation and the country crowned today as a FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION in the world .

What a road, what a journey, made possible by the efforts of His Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo- Hun Sen.

We may tell you many remarkable things about the complex personality and the successful activity of your beloved and remarkable Prime Minister, but we wanted to keep this Laudatio focus on the main points that shaped the life and the career of Academician Dr. HUN SEN.

To give the complete story of such a brilliant life will take us weeks and months.

I will just ask our newest academician to uphold, as he did his entire life, the fundamental principles of United Nations Academic Initiative and of European Tourism Academy: to support education, to foster education, to encourage global action and citizenship via education development, to uphold the system of higher education, to advance peace, sustainability and development on world arena.

These are Your Excellency noble obligations as a member of European Academy.

May they always guide your actions!

These procedures being concluded, according to the centuries old academic protocol, I have the distinct pleasure to award the Title of MEMBER OF HONOR and the Medal of Honor of EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY to His Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo- Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Royal Government of Cambodia.

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY