Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) joins the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Board of Directors as an Affiliate Member for the 2022-2025 period. Representing Türkiye, TGA is expected to have a decisive role in the World Tourism Organization’s goals towards the development of sustainable and resilient tourism.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a United Nations agency and the leading international organization in the field of tourism, has completed appointments to its Board of Directors of Affiliate Members for the 2022-2025 period. Commissioned by UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) joins the Board of Directors of Affiliate Members.
In his commissioning letter, the Secretary-General noted that the TGA is a strong and important partner and will contribute significantly to UNWTO issues such as tourism management and the promotion of destinations in the post-Covid-19 period. Mr Pololikashvili also said that he expects that the TGA’s knowledge and experience will add value to the work of the Board of Directors of Affiliate Members.
TGA Will Be Represented by Deputy General Manager Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu
Dr Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu, Deputy General Manager responsible for Tourism Operations and Development, will represent the TGA on the Board during the 2022-2025 period. Dr Fisunoğlu has more than 25 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry and has served at TGA since January 2020.
In addition to the TGA, the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Japan Tourist Bureau (JTB), and the BASQUETOUR- Basque Tourism Agency (Spain) also join the Board of Directors of the Affiliate Members. The new Board will elect a chairperson and vice presidents during its first official meeting in January 2022.
Affiliate Members: A Global Information Exchange Platform
UNWTO Affiliate Members include more than 500 companies, educational institutions, destinations, and non-governmental organizations operating in the tourism sector.
UNWTO Affiliate Membership offers members an opportunity to engage in dialogue, share information and take further action. Its principal mission is to foster synergies among Affiliate Members and the Member States and to promote the exchange of knowledge among key stakeholders with the objective of contributing to the promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Affiliate Members gain enhanced visibility in the local, national and global sphere via the UNWTO network and channels.
Every two years, Affiliate Members elect a total of twenty members to the Board of Directors, eight in the “Global” and twelve in the “Regional” categories. In addition, the UNWTO Secretary-General appoints three members to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of Affiliate Members operates as the advisory board of the Secretary-General of the UNWTO and ensures that the Affiliate Members contribute to the UNWTO objectives, mission, and general work program.
In addition to institutions such as TripAdvisor, IATA and the World Association of Tourist Guides, there are a total of six members from Türkiye, including the Turkish Association of Tourism Investors (TTYD), the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TUROFED), the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Bosphorus University, and the Concorde De Luxe Resort Hotel.
