The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), an apex body of tourism, having more than 200 countries as its member has unanimously elected India as the member of its Executive Council.

In view of its emerging status in world tourism, India was elected in the Council to represent South Asia in the recently concluded UNWTO meeting at Senegal, Ministry of Tourism said in a statement on December 5.

'Incredible India' campaign and recent initiatives of Indian Government in the area of tourism were appreciated and India was declared an important tourism player during the discussions, it said.

Indian official representative at the Conference, Amitabh Kant, has been elected member of core working group of the organisation to chalk out programmes and allot specific projects to a particular country for the promotion of tourism.

UNWTO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, is the leading international organisation in the field of tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and practical source of tourism know-how.

With its headquarter in Madrid, Spain, the UNWTO plays a central and decisive role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, with the aim of contributing to economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In 2005, its membership is comprised of 145 countries, seven territories and more than 300 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities. (ANI)

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