Spain tightens tourism spend

Posted: Tue 27 Jul, 2010 12:00 AM

In a big to tighten its belt regarding spend, Spain has decided to cut back on a separate secretariat for tourism. However, as the country is a leading tourism destination, ranking second in international tourism receipts and third in tourist arrivals, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) feels this would be sending out the wrong message to the market, especially coming at the beginning of the high tourist season.

Said Taleb Rifai, secretary-general, UNWTO: “UNWTO strongly advocates the importance of building strong national tourism administrations which can fully maximise the potential of tourism to generate wealth and create jobs. Countries such as Argentina, Greece and Italy have all upgraded tourism to a full ministerial portfolio. It is not understandable that Spain, a leading tourism destination, would do the reverse.”