Thomas Cook Chief Executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa will address the annual United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Ministers' Summit at World Travel Market.

(TRAVPR.COM) London, UK - 30th October 2009 - This year's summit is poised to be the largest-ever with more than one hundred ministers attending, including the tourism ministers from Italy, South Africa, Russia and India.

The popular and well respected Fontenla-Novoa will share his thoughts on how the industry can respond to the challenges of the global economic crisis, in the first of three panel debates. Fontenla-Novoa will identify innovative solutions implemented by governments and the industry in response to these challenging times.

Panel One ‘Tourism: Tackling the Global Economic Crisis' speakers also include;

• Khélil Lajimi, Minister of Tourism for Tunisia
• Zoheir Garranah, Minister of Tourism for Egypt, with
• Geoffrey Lipman, Assistant Secretary-General of the UNWTO is moderating the session

World Travel and Tourism Council President Jean-Claude Baumgarten headlines the second panel session ‘Positioning Travel and Tourism in the Global Agenda', which will debate the role tourism can play to stimulate the global economy, support poor countries facing the crisis and prepare for a green economic transformation.

Other panellists include;

• Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism, Malaysia
• Predrag Nenezic, Minister for Tourism Montenegro
• Ahmed Abdulla Al-Nuaimi, Chairman, Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority Qatar, with
• José Luis Zoreda, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo, Exceltur is moderating the session

Caribbean Tourism Organization Secretary-General Hugh Riley leads the third panel session, ‘The Way Forward: Future Challenges and the Transformation to a Green Economy', which will focus on the need for the sector to begin its transformation towards being a green economy.

Other panellists include;

• Maha Khatib, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Jordan, and
• Jonathan Tourtellot, Director of the National Geographic Centre for Sustainable Development and Geotourism Editor, National Geographic Magazine will moderate the session

The high-level third annual UNWTO Ministers' Summit will be held on Tuesday 10^th November at ExCeL - London. Delegates will be able to follow the talks on giant screens in the Central Boulevard.

World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said: I'm am delighted that such a well respected senior industry professional as Manny Fontenla-Novoa will address the UNWTO Ministers Summit at World Travel Market.

"Manny heads a high profile, high-level line up of private sector speakers this shows the importance of the summit, which will help to secure a roadmap for the future of the industry."

About The Ministers' Summit

The Ministers' Summit is an annual event, part of the WTM Ministers' Programme. It provides the essential tourism leadership review and sets the direction for an economically sustainable and ecologically carbon neutral future. The Summit is hosted by World Travel Market at ExCeL - London.

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