“Global challenges such as the recent economic crisis and the climate imperatives can only be addressed in a global cooperative manner and in fora such as the UN or the G-20”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai , in his opening remarks at the Tourism Ministers’ Meeting (T20) “Travel and tourism: stimuli for the global economy” (22-24 February, Johannesburg).

The Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of South Africa, with the support of UNWTO, is hosting a Tourism Ministers’ Meeting (T20) under the theme “Travel and tourism: stimuli for the global economy” from 22 to 24 February 2010 in Johannesburg.

Tourism ministers meeting at the UNWTO General Assembly (October 2009, Astana, Kazakhstan) expressed a strong sentiment that tourism should be further mainstreamed in global economic decision making.

Travel and tourism can make a valuable contribution to the economic recovery, and can be an important pillar of the global efforts to unlock enhanced economic growth, infrastructure development, trade promotion, poverty eradication and particularly job creation.

The T20 is a members-driven initiative with the support of UNWTO. The full speech can be read in http://www.unwto.org/pdf/TR_T20.pdf