 The ECTT-European Council on Tourism and Trade Cultural Tourism Awards FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION is recognizing the best national practice in cultural and historical tourism within the world tourism globally, based upon the principles of protection of humanity cultural patrimony, cultural preservation, educational value of tourism; national support for the protection of cultural and natural heritage; and direct benefits to the social and economic well-being of local people in travel destinations around the world. Together with WORLD TOURISM DESTINATION status these annual awards are representing the highest accolades in the world cultural and tourism community and represent the desired standards in tourism development. On 12 June 2016 on the debate for the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD FOR 2016 saw Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) presenting the main report, encompassing the decision that emerged as the victorious candidate. The report was titled: CAMBODIA: THE LAND OF MAGIC- THE PLACE WHERE GOD`S AND KINGS BUILD THE WORLD! He proposed the Kingdom of CAMBODIA as the winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2016 and as receiver of the FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION distinction for 2016. The report noted the reasons for awarding WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2016 PRIZE to CAMBODIA: The excellent preservation of humanity landmarks such as: the Temple of Preah Vihear- the heart of ancient Indochina. The temple outstanding history can be traced to the 9th century, when the hermitage was founded. Today the site is particularly well-preserved and is offering to the visitors an outstanding vision of grandeur, thanks to his exceptional for the quality of its architecture, which is adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple, as well as for the exceptional quality of its carved stone ornamentation. The Siem Reap province is home to the majestically and unique Angkor Archaeological Park - the residence of the Khmers Kings from 9th to 15th century. Today this incredible humanity legacy, stretching over some 400 sq.km, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Watt and Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. All this sites were recognized as being of world significance and registered as UNESCO World heritage monuments. Angkor Thom a temple of world significance and registered as UNESCO World heritage monument The rich cultural and historical legacy of Cambodia is not limited to the previous presented list. In order to fully grasp the natural potential of Cambodia natural parks and natural reservations we must look at the potential of these regions designated in 1993 Royal Decree on the Protection of Natural Areas. They are encompassing 23 protected areas, which at the time covered more than 18% of the country’s total land area. The royal decree divides the areas into four distinct categories: natural parks (sometimes described as ‘national parks’), wildlife preserves, protected scenic view areas (sometimes described as ‘protected landscapes’) and multi-purpose areas. Cambodia is also home to rarely and valuable Ramsar sites rated accordingly to RAMSAR CONVENTION of June 1999: A stretch along the Mekong River approximately 37 km long and 14,600 hectares in Stung Treng Province. Boeng Chhmar and associated river system and floodplain, 28,000 hectares in Kampong Thom and Siem Reap provinces (part of a designated multiple use area) Koh Kapik and associated islets, 12,000 hectares in Koh Kong province (part of a designated wildlife sanctuary). Giving tourists access to outstanding and pristine nature and the opportunity to explore nature, to contribute to ecological preservation, and the opportunity to visit extraordinary places. All these regions and national parks are a model of achieving ecological and green tourism that must be recognized throughout the world. New prominent landmarks are to be added to UNESCO list such as: Angkor Borei and Phnom Da, the former celebrated as the ancient capital of Kingdom of Cambodia under the name of Vyadhapura and pace at the confluence of Mekong and Stun Sla Ku. This is now home to perfect archaeological treasures like sculptures and stones star-shaped called stela. Phnom Da is famous for his caves, the mud tower and the all sought Ashram Maha Rosei, made in long standing stone and celebrated as a model of architectural ingenuity made out of interior monk housing units blending in the exterior wall. Udong is the former capital of Royal Cambodia in 17th century from 1740 to 1746. Udong is now a perfect example of a sprawling royal city, but also a royal necropolis gathering the funerary temples of kings that offered to Cambodia a chance of survival in the country darkest times. Udong is the proof of the resilience and endurance of Khmer spirit in time of peril and dangers. The project ONE VILLAGE/ONE PRODUCT designed to promote social fair tourism, to sustain rural production and to bring about the rebirth of traditional craftsmanship created and promoted by H.E. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of Cambodia , is a perfect way of sharing revenue, growing income and supporting marginal and rural communities development. The way in which social-tourism has become the base for local economic development, for empowerment of remote community and supporting educational and vocational projects benefiting the communities, makes social-fair tourism, the lesson that today-the KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA is offering to the world. The Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations had brought Cambodia on the list of WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATIONS The ongoing development and protection of cultural, religious and historical shrines of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the transformation of Angkor Region into a historical and spiritual center, offering to the visitors a glimpse into rich culture and heritage of peoples of Cambodia. Angkor must be the world center of religious pilgrimage and cultural tourism offering to world tourists the complex healing experience of cultural legacy, religious special atmosphere and faith imbued air. The preservation of outstanding historical and cultural heritage in the form of the former capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Angkor cultural complex, an ample palatial complex from the 9th Century, offering an incredible sense of magnificence of one of the Asia greatest empire. Today, Cambodia offers tourists bound for the country a rich and perfect open air collection with a rare presence of historical and archaeological treasures that educate and enrich the world. The KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA is also a perfect center for river trips and adventure tourism, offering large areas suitable for this special kind of tourism, and the necessary infrastructure to welcome the adventure seeker, its safety and peace, makes the country, one of the world’s top adventure river destinations that make the KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA as a perfect cultural class destination. Concluding the World Tourism Institution debates, President Dr. Anton Caragea asked for a final vote and European Council on Tourism and Trade Assembly unanimously, agreed to bestow the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION STATUS FOR 2016 TO KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA and to declare CAMBODIA- THE FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION in 2016.  Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple and Udong Mountain-landmark monuments of world significance and registered as UNESCO World heritage monument ECTT President Dr. Anton Caragea receives the European Academy final evaluation of candidatures for 2016- WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD. The competition is now closed. Promoting the importance of cultural tourism as the driving force in high quality and material significant tourism will be o particular relevance at the 9th session of the European Council on Tourism and Trade General Assembly. The Council will also table the latest international tourism trends, the European impact in the nomination process of the new leaders of world tourism and an action plan for development of sustainable tourism for the next years. In order to promote and foster the closer cooperation between tourism and culture, it was decided that: European tourism gathering will select WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2016 according to the candidates countries cultural significance and prominence. As always WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION nomination is destined to advance the sustainable development of cultural tourism. Other issues raised during the thematic discussion on tourism and culture included congestion management, financing, public-private sector cooperation, the role of local communities in tourism development and cultural preservation, as well as the promotion of events, creative industries and contemporary culture and history in enriching the visitor experience. Assessing the significance of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION in carving the latest international tourism trends, ECTT President , Anton Caragea, highlighted the resilience and the positive results of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION winners in recent years and underlined that: “Despite geopolitical and economic challenges, the winners of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION Award and WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM registered a growth 15% a year on average since 2010, a trend that has translated into more economic growth, more exports and more jobs” he said in the opening invitation for the European Council on Tourism and Trade Assembly. The winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION have the obligation to continue to raise tourism´s prominence, to ensure the sustainable growth and its positive benefits for all people,”Prof.Dr.Anton Caragea added. Romanian Parliament is preparing to receive European and world tourism delegates for EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE General Assembly 2016. PR Information: The yearly General Assembly is European Council on Tourism and Trade governing board, responsible for carving the institution plans and budgets and enjoys the high support of the world tourism specialists of European Tourism Academy. ETHIOPIA was the winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2015. The country registered a plus of 1 million visitors and more than 200.000 articles in international press, promoting this incredible African destination.    The World Ambassadors Meeting and Working Lunch on Tourism and Hospitality has taken place on 9th of February 2016 at the world tourism institution headquarters of European Council on Tourism and Trade. European Council on Tourism and Trade President-Dr. Anton Caragea receives accredited ambassadors for World Ambassadors Meeting and Working Lunch on 9 February 2016. The first ambassadorial meeting on tourism reunited European members states parliamentarians, representatives of European tourism organizations and members of the diplomatic corps. The World Ambassadors Working Lunch on Tourism was generously hosted by the European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) and has benefited the presence of the ECTT President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea. The Diplomatic corps gathering, is taken place on an annual basis and is representing a great opportunity for networking and also for keeping the Embassies informed on what the World Lectures on Sustainable Development Goals Programs of European Tourism Academy will try to achieve during the year and also to provide an outlook for the coming year 2016 in terms of tourism in Europe and the world. The event received a very high representation of accredited diplomatic corps, parliament representatives, European Tourism Academy, European Council on Tourism and Trade. On this occasion Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had officially entrusted insignias and diplomas for the representative of the hospitality industry of Europe and recognized ROYAL HOTELS in Bucharest and Constanta as official diplomatic partners and entrusted the HIGH QUALITY PRIZES for the two hotels. Other points of discussions included an update on International and European Tourism trends in 2015 and a presentation of a list of most successfully tourism driven economies in the last year (Ethiopia, Laos) and the latest publications emanating from European Tourism Academy members. Academician Walter Mzembi-Minister of Tourism of Zimbabwe took the limelight, with his articles and interviews series on combating tourism and mass media manipulation in tourism industry. Ambassadors from United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Syria, Macedonia, Albania, South Africa, Venezuela, Nigeria, Danemark, Sweden had taken the floor highlighting their countries plans for tourism development and hopes pinned on winning World Best Tourist Destination Award or World Capital of Culture and Tourism designations. The names of the ambassadors who will be invited for Spring 2016 DISCOVER EUROPE PROGRAM will be announced in March 2016 and the trip will start in April and will showcase Republic of Moldavia beauties announcedEuropean Council on Tourism and Trade President, Dr. Anton Caragea. The meeting concluded with an introduction of the main activities of the diplomatic calendar for the first quarter of 2016, a presentation on the upcoming February 2016 Tourism Fair and International food and Beverage Exhibition-Goodwine April 2016. The photos from World Ambassadors Meeting and Working Lunch on Tourism can be observed here:   LAOS-World Best Tourist Destination for 2013. Ceremony held in Vientiane. After being elected WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2013 and Favorite Cultural Destination in 2013 Laos has become a beacon of tourism in the Indochina region. Already 40 hotels, including five international chains, are scheduled to open in Laos over the next five years as the country becomes a more popular tourist destination. Yang Fu Ning, general manager of Don Chan Palace, a luxury hotel in Vientiane, said international brands Ramada, InterContinental, Crown Plaza, Sofitel and Marriott were set to open hotels in the capital by 2019. Three global brands - Mercure, Ibis and Best Western - have already opened their doors in Vientiane, and one regional brand has entered the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang to cash in the World Best Tourist Destination status of the country. Furthermore, 25-30 three- and four-star hotels are set to open in the capital, with some in other tourist cities. In the first year after receiving World`s Favorite Cultural Destination " we registered 3.7 million arrivals last year, generating income of US$600 million. The government aims for 3.9 million tourists this year. The number of arrivals should reach 10 million within five years but we need another success in WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION competition to consolidate our status. The number of American and European tourists has significantly increased in recent years, after the European Council on Tourism and Trade accolade according to informations from Minister of Culture, Informations and Tourism leaded by European Academician Bosengkham Vongdara. Currently, seven foreign airlines, including Thai Airways International, AirAsia and Bangkok Airways, and two local carriers are operating in and out Laos. Some of these airlines run charter flights during high season. European Council on Tourism and Trade named Laos the "World's Best Tourist Destination for 2013", which put the country on the global tourism map especially for its rich history, culture, traditions and natural beauty. ACADEMICIAN MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU ATTENDS ADDIS ABABA CEREMONIES FOR FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION8/17/2015
 Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn was recognized by European Tourism Academy as a World Leader of Tourism and a member of honour of European Tourism Academy by Academician Mircea Constantinescu and in the presence of European Council on Tourism and Trade President. The Premier received the insignias of European Council on Tourism and Trade from European President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea at a public function held at the National Palace yesterday. ECTT declared Ethiopia as the most obvious World Best Tourist Destination and Favorite Cultural DestinationDistinction for 2015. “This grant further motivates Ethiopia to offer more noteworthy social and vacation destinations and administrations to sightseers over the world,” PM Hailemariam said subsequent to accepting the grant. The legislature of Ethiopia is resolved to ensure and safeguard authentic and social legacies and “we trust it is in this acknowledgment of this one of a kind game plan in addition to other things that ECTT chose to stretch out to Ethiopia the world best traveler destination recompense.” The stream of vacationers to Ethiopia has developed altogether amid the most recent decade as the nation had the capacity give better administrations that urged travelers to invest longer energy and investigate Ethiopia’s surprising and wonderful attractions, he said. Ethiopia will keep on developping the tourism area and utilization it as a methods for political participation with different nations, he said. ECTT President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea on his part said Ethiopia has rich social, chronicled and common fascination locales that draw in different visitors from different parts of the nation. The superb mankind and points of interest, the rich social and recorded legacy of Ethiopia are among different explanations behind recompensing Ethiopia the world best traveler destination for 2015 prize, he said. “We trust the acknowledgment presented on us today can be one of the confirmations of the achievement we accomplished as the consequence of the endeavors made in the first Growth and Transformation Plan GTP),” Culture and Tourism Minister, Amin Abdulkadir, said. It’s likewise an extraordinary motivation and extra vitality for us in the execution of the second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), he expressed. Academician Mircea Constantinescu had attended the official functions of European Tourism Academy and European Council on Tourism and Trade and, at the indication of H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, participated in the familiarization trip organized by Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Tourism-H.E. Amin Abdulkadir. From right: Academician Mircea Constantinescu-European Tourism Academy Director, in the center President Anton Caragea, Senator Ionel Agrigoroaei, Trade Chairman-Mihai Prundianu and H.E. European Academician and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Minister of Culture and Tourism Ato Amin Abdulkadir   28 countries representatives analyzed the candidatures for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2015 On June 25, 2015 the General Assembly of the European Council on Tourism and Trade(ECTT), has taken under consideration the list of candidates for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for 2015. Academician Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director of European Tourism Academy presented the list of candidates and the list of reports and accompanying reports for each of the 31 countries registered candidatures. Professor Dr. Mircea Constantinescu presented also the figures regarding previous award winner for 2014-The Republic of Zimbabwe who become the most sought after destination and the number one country in Africa, in term of tourism growth for last year. Lao PDR- 2013 winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION- also crossed the 3 million tourist bench mark, surpassing all the countries in the region in terms of tourism, concluded Academician Mircea Constantinescu. Afterword, the debate on the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 started at the indication of ECTT President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea. On the front the voting urne while Professor Dr. Anton Caragea MA, FINS, ETA present the report: ETHIOPIA: THE LAND CHOSEN BY GOD!   Palestine, Russian and Malaysian Ambassadors flanking President Anton Caragea and Senator Florin Constantinescu On the debate for the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD FOR 2015, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) presented a report titled: ETHIOPIA : THE PERFECT CULTURAL DESTINATION; THE LAND CHOSEN BY GOD ! He proposed ETHIOPIA as the winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 and as receiver of the FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION distinction for 2015. The report noted the reasons for awarding WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 PRIZE to ETHIOPIA: • The excellent preservation of humanity landmarks such as: ruins of the city of Aksum- the heart of ancient Ethiopia, Fasil Ghebbi- the residence of the Ethiopian emperors during the 16th and 17th century, Harar Jugol- 82 mosques, 102 shrines, and unique interior design in the townhouses, Lalibela- holy site encompassing eleven medieval stone carved churches from the 13th century, Konso Cultural Landscape (containing 55 kilometers of stonewalled terraces and fortified settlements), Lower Valley of the Awash-where humanity made his first steps and where was found the Eva of all mankind-Lucy fossil’s, Lower Valley of the Omo also containing fragments pertaining to early humanity development and the fossils of Homo Gracilis. All this sites where recognized as being of world significance and registered as UNESCO World heritage monuments. • The rich cultural and historical legacy of Ethiopia is not confined to the previous presented list: new prominent landmarks are added such as: Sheik Hussein Religious, Cultural and Historical Site, Melka Kunture- Paleolithic site in the upper Awash Valley, Gedeo Cultural and Natural Landscape, Bale Mountains National Park, Sof Omar Cave- the longest cave in Ethiopia at 15.1 kilometres long; and the longest system of caves in Africa-sacred for Islam and for local Oromo population. In order to fully grasp the natural potential of Ethiopia natural parks and natural reservations we must look at the potential of Simien National Park garnering mountain peaks, deep valleys, and sharp precipices dropping about 1,500 m. • The ambitious plan drafted by the Government of Ethiopia under the name of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). Tourism as a tool for poverty eradication, for local community development and for economic independence is a successful strategy carved byH.E. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Community based, social oriented tourism, promoted by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, is a perfect way of sharing revenue, growing income and supporting marginal and rural communities development. The way in which social-tourism has become the base for local economic development, providing benefits to communities, makes social-friendly tourism, the lesson that today-the REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA is offering to the world. • Giving tourists access to outstanding and pristine nature and the opportunity to explore nature, to contribute to ecological preservation, and the opportunity to visit extraordinary places. All these regions and national parks, are a model of achieving ecological and green tourism that must be recognized throughout the world. • The ongoing development and protection of cultural, religious and historical shrines of the Republic of ETHIOPIA , the transformation of Lalibela into a historical and spiritual centre, offering to the visitors a glimpse into rich culture and heritage of peoples of ETHIOPIA. Shaking and smiles on the venue of European Council on Tourism and Trade: tourism is going well is the motto!   President Dr. Anton Caragea declared REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015. Lalibela is the land of faith and miracles that must be presented to the world as a center of religious and faith significance equal to Jerusalem only in the world. Lalibela must be the center of religious pilgrimage and cultural tourism offering to world tourists the complex healing experience of cultural legacy, religious special atmosphere and faith imbued air. • The preservation of outstanding historical and cultural heritage in the form of the former capital of the Kingdom of Ethiopia, the Gondar cultural complex , an ample palatial complex from the 13th Century, offering a pungent presence of one of the African greatest empire. • Today, Gondar castle complex offers tourists bound for Ethiopia an open air museum with a rare collection of historical and archaeological treasures that educate and enrich the world. • The REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA is also a perfect center for safari and adventure tourism, offering large areas suitable for this special kind of tourism, and the necessary infrastructure to welcome the adventure seeker, its safety and peace, makes the country, one of the world’s top adventure destinations. • Keeping alive community blending traditions, allows tourists and visitors to be part of the ETHIOPIA unique people’s ethnic fabric, which offers the possibility for an enriching cultural experience, are all achievements that make the REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA a perfect cultural class destination. Mr. Mihai Prundianu, Chairman of the Trade Mission of the ECTT, marked the necessity that, out of the regular order, to have another African country declared as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION in sign of continuity for last year and as appreciation mark for President Robert Gabriel Mugabe , the current President of African Union and Zimbabwe Tourism Minister-Walter Mzembi. This year we have to select another African country to mark Europe and world solidarity with Africa and Africa`s Union President Robert Mugabe. It is appropriate for Europe to express its commitment to, and appreciation for, Africa by crowning ETHIOPIA as THE FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION AND WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 stated Chairman Mihai Prundianu. Senator Ionel Agrigoroaiei, Director of European Parliamentary Committee in the European Council on Tourism and Trade and Senator of Romanian Parliament stated the opinion of all present at ECTT conference and declared that the REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA is the deserving candidate, with a perfect record of promoting social-friendly tourism, ecological and poverty reduction strategy based on tourism, and asking for a unanimous vote in favor of the REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA. President Dr. Anton Caragea asked for a vote and European Council on Tourism and Trade decided, unanimously, to award WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 TITLE TO REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA and to declare REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA- THE FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION in 2015. The meeting was also presented with the Official Invitation, from the Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of the REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA via the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mr. Amin Abdulkadir, for a delegation of high ranking officials of the European Council on Tourism and Trade, to present the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD in Addis Ababa, in person, to His Excellency Prime Minister of REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA- HAILEMARIAM DESALEGN, European Academician and outstanding personality in world tourism, today. Concluding the debate, Professor Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade marked the importance of the moment the most impressive world tourism prize was entrusted to ETHIOPIA. The safety of the country and the huge hospitality potential of Ethiopia is revealed by the acceptance of the invitation for a familiarization visit of high ranking members of European Council on Tourism and Trade to the ETHIOPIA. Ethiopia is from today a perfect, safe and outstanding place to visit, the countries gates are opened and all world tourism experts expressed their confidence in the potential and future of tourism in ETHIOPIA, concluded Professor Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade. |
EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMYFavorite Cultural Destination is carved by
European Council on Tourism and Trade for destinations who promote their
cultural and historical patrimony, who put their unique community and
environment at the center of memorable tourism experiences; countries that put
in place policies to use tourism to make them better places for people to live
in and better places for people to visit. Archives
November 2018
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