The Secretary-General (SG) of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, met the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, on Tuesday afternoon, in Port Louis.
In a statement after the meeting, the Secretary-General indicated that he was honoured and eager to meet the Prime Minister in particular with the events that are currently happening in Mauritius such as the celebrations of the 15th Anniversary of the inclusion of Le Morne Cultural Landscape on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage List and the hosting of the 66th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa.
He highlighted that this meeting is one of the most important of the region as regards tourism post COVID-19. “More than 20 Ministers of different part of the African Continent will be attending this conference,” the SG stated.
On this note, he thanked the Government of Mauritius for its excellent leadership, especially after the COVID-19. Mauritius has a good management and was used as a showcase to other countries during these hard times, Mr Pololikashvili pointed out.
The SG further added that during his visit to Mauritius, he will be going to the two villages included among the 72 best villages to visit around the world by the UNWTO, namely, Le Morne Brabant and Vieux Grand Port.
Speaking of the 66th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa, Mr Pololikashvili observed that the aim of this meeting is to promote Mauritius on the Tourism agenda as an ideal place to invest.
About the Secretary-General of the UNWTO
Mr Zurab Pololikashvili has been Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since January 2018. Prior to this, he worked in a number of high-level roles in both private and public sectors.
After a year as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, he was appointed the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Spain, Andorra, Algeria, and Morocco in 2006, and was then his country’s Minister of Economic Development between 2009 and 2010.
At the 23rd General Assembly of the UNWTO, Member States unanimously approved his plan of action for global tourism, including the landmark Agenda for Africa and his focus on promoting tourism as a driver of gender equality, job creation, and rural development.
At the end of the year 2021, Member States met in Madrid for the 24th UNWTO General Assembly and voted for Mr Pololikashvili to serve a second term as Secretary-General.
