Iran hosting International Tour Operator Convention Nov. 24-27, 2008

The Convention is being organized by Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and tourism Organization (ICHTO) in close cooperation with Iranian Tour Operators Association (ITOA) which is the main private sector association in Iran inbound tourism.

ITOC , which will devote two full days (November 24 and 27) ,the first day presentation on Iran Tourism and Iranian Tour Operators and the last day considered for a workshop with the members of ITOA.

Source: ITOA; find information here>>.

Austria: Vienna convention tourism sets a record

Vienna convention tourism set a new record in 2007. The number of conventions and similar events increased by 19 per cent to 2,764 last year. Overnights linked to them rose by 23 per cent to 1,419,044, and value added to the city economy went up by 30 per cent to 760 million Euros.
Overnights by convention attendees constituted 14.7 per cent of all overnights in the city last year, and city officials hope that the percentage will rise to 15 per cent by 2010.
The largest convention last year was that of the cardiologists in September, which attracted 33,000 visitors to the city.

Source: wienerzeitung.at; read full article here>>.

Bahamas To Ratify Sustainable Tourism Convention

The Bahamas is set to ratify the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) Sustainable Tourism Convention, and Chairman of the ACS Special Committee on Sustained Tourism, Bahamas Tourism Minister Neko Grant, has urged other regional leaders to follow suit.
The Director of Sustainable Tourism of the ACS, Jasmin Garraway, who addressed the meeting on b ehalf of the secretary general expressed her satisfaction at the news of the impending ratification of the Tourism Convention by The Bahamas. She also congratulated the Minister both the decisive step and on his new role as Chairman of the Special Committee on Tourism.
The Bahamas was elected Chairman of the Special Committee on Sustainable Tourism at the 12th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Council Meeting in Guatemala, after having served as Vice Chairman of that Committee for 2 consecutive years.

Source: The Bahama Journal; full article here.