Dr. Taleb Rifai the Secretary General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has portrayed the commitment of UNWTO to support the development of tourism within Sudan. he made this declaration during his visit recently in Sudan. His visit corresponded with a 3-day executive training in the region. This training organized by the World Tourism organization (UNWTO) was about crisis communication within tourism and this training started on 15th November to 17th November, 2016 in Khartoum within Sudan.
The UNWTO Secretary General met with H.E. Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir the President of Sudan to present an ‘Open Letter on Travel & Tourism’, a new campaign promoted by UNWTO together with the World Travel & Tourism Council – WTTC to increase awareness of the necessity and worth of tourism development. During the meeting, Dr. Rifai pointed out the importance of the tourism industry especially in creating several opportunities as well as jobs for Sudan people.
President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir in return expressed the great appreciation of his country for the promised support from UNWTO and presented the Secretary General of UNWTO with the Order of the Two Niles-Grand-Cross.
This official visit included as well meetings with the media (press) to address the challenges of perception within Africa, as well as a trip to Port Sudan and Sanganeb Island a not too long ago nominated World Heritage site. During his visit, Dr. Rifai stressed the necessity to construct and have the appropriate infrastructure set up and be in a position to communicate helpful and good messages about Sudan to the rest of the world.
Challenges concerning the Perception and generalization of the effect of crises within particular locations to the entire region are among the major obstacles that tourism development on the African continent is facing. To handle this, UNWTO together with the UNWTO.Themis Foundation arranged this 3-days crisis communication training in Sudan. To build strength in Africa, Crisis communication readiness is crucial as it enables destinations to reduce the effect of crisis situations on the overall tourism sector and therefore on its socio-economic gains.
This training brought together approximately sixty communications professionals coming from eleven different African countries. Participants In the course of these three days increased their capabilities on crisis communications readiness as well as management and even had an opportunity to exchange experiences when managing a crisis.
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