The Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), citizen of Jordan, Taleb Rifai is to make an official visit to Mongolia on July 20-24, 2012. 

The former Minister for Nature, Environment and Tourism of Mongolia L.Gansukh had invited the Secretary-General to Mongolia during Mongolia’s participation as “Convention and Culture Partner” in the “ITB-2011” International Tourism Trade and Fair held in Berlin, Germany, on March 09-13, 2012. 

During his visit, Mr. Taleb Rifai will meet the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj, where he will exchange thoughts of the development issues of Mongolian tourism and UNWTO-Mongolia partnership matters. Furthermore, he will hand the “Open Letter” to the Mongolian President, where there are notes regarding the significance of the tourism sector in social and economic development. Also, the UNTWO delegates will make a speech at the seminar on Mongolian tourism marketing. 

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. 

UNWTO’s membership includes 155 countries, 7 territories and over 400 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

Mongolia was admitted by the World Tourism Organization as a member state in 1990.