Azerbaijan has been elected as chair of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) at its meeting held in Luxor, Egypt.

Zambia and Serbia were elected first and second deputy chairs respectively.

The Meeting discussed the three priorities of the Organization for 2016-2017: safe, secure and seamless travel; the impact of technology in the tourism sector and sustainability.

Speaking to the event on behalf of Azerbaijan, Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev said the contributions would be made to the development of the tourism and people’s welfare by the World Tourism Organization'. He said all initiatives related to these issues will be supported as 2017 is an International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

The Minister noted that the country’s election as the chair was a result of the reforms carried out in this sphere via the support and initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, and the country’s prestige on the international tourism arena, as well as a sign of confidence put in Azerbaijan by the member states of the World Tourism Organization and the Executive Council.