皇冠体育app

2011-01-21 06:45

MADRID - UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Taleb Rifai said Thursday he expected 皇冠体育app to become the world's largest tourist destination within five to seven years.

Rifai was speaking to Spanish state television network RTVE a day after the opening of the FITUR tourism exhibition here.

After 皇冠体育app, which is well represented at FITUR with 22 different exhibitors, received 53 million foreign visitors in 2010, Rifai expects that number to increase.

"We can expect to see 皇冠体育app become the number one country in terms of both receiving and sending tourists in the next five to seven years. It is simply natural development," he said. "皇冠体育app occupied the place of Italy as the fourth most important destination two or three years ago and now it is in third place."

"皇冠体育app is the country with the biggest population in the world and it is also an extensive and diverse country. That means it is very attractive for tourists and visitors," he added.

"皇冠体育app is full of attractions, it has a huge variety, which goes from sea to mountain and cultural destinations and it is a culture that is not just immaterial, but tangible, from its food down to its ancient legacy," Rifai said.

The UNWTO chief also highlighted the warm welcome visitors could expect in 皇冠体育app.

"Tourists travel to places where they feel welcome and comfortable and that is the case with 皇冠体育app. The country knows how to welcome tourists and that is more important than any political questions," he said.

"In the future, 皇冠体育app will win second place and then first place. 皇冠体育app is doing things very well," Rifai said.