Secretary-General Message

Mr. Taleb Rifai

UNWTO Secretary-General

The World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism offers an invaluable opportunity for experts and tourism players with a special interest in this major market to meet, analyze developments and discuss challenges and opportunities for the future.

The Congress also serves as a platform for representatives from both the world’s traditional and emerging snow and mountain destinations to exchange best practices on issues of product development, marketing and human resources.

Against this background, the 2012 edition of the World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism – to be held in La Massana, Andorra – will place particular emphasis on how new technologies are transforming the tourism sector and providing a powerful tool in the promotion and development of destinations. Topics for debate, including how tourists book and rate their stays and the importance of online promotion, will surely prove timely in our increasingly competitive marketplace. 

Co-organized by UNWTO and the Government of Andorra, the 7^th edition will no doubt confirm the World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism as the principal forum for addressing the major issues facing mountain tourism in all its forms and seasons.

Mr. Taleb Rifai

UNWTO Secretary-General