Why wait for the UNWTO General Assembly? New secretary General already put in place?

It’s the most talked about and most contested election by an executive committee of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Many leaders of the global travel and tourism industry and governments have shown serious doubts if the next UNWTO General Assembly will confirm the recommendation by the Executive Council this time.

This confirmation is needed for the winning candidate  Ambassador Zurab Pololikashvili. This process will take place during the full UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu, China in September 2017.

Once confirmed the term for the news UNWTO Secretary General will start January 1, 2018

The time from September to the end of the year could easily be used for the current Secretary General to show the Secretary General-Elect how the system works.

According to information received by eTN, this process has already started early and before the new nominee was even confirmed. Some within the Organization are surprised and concerned, others find it commandable for the new possible commander in chief for tourism to participate in top meetings.

Mr. Pololikasvili attended two top level management discussions in Madrid, usually only open to the Secretary General and his close inner circle and directors.

“Secretary General UNWTO” is the title ambassador Pololikashvili published for himself on  awards-tourism.com . The awards are known as the “Oscar” for Georgian tourism recognition. The National Tourism Awards proudly appointed Zurab also as a juror.

The award enjoys big support from the Georgian government and from the private sector. National Tourism Administration of Georgia is a co-organizer of this project, The Ministry of Economics and Sustainable Development of Georgia and Tbilisi City Hall are Official Supporters.

The main mission of the project is to encourage tourism and hospitality industry in Georgia and promote the awareness of the high-achieving tourism business and brands that create a positive image of the country worldwide.

The award Ceremony is an opportunity to bring together national and local authorities, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, travel agencies, wine companies and more.

Of course, people in the Georgia travel and tourism industry are excited to have someone from their country to be nominated for the top job in tourism. It may explain one could have overlooked the position has not yet been confirmed.

Another surprise move was for Pololikashvili to meet the Bulgarian Tourism Minister Angelkova and discussed issues only relevant to UNWTO and not anything only relevant for bilateral issues between Georgia and Bulgaria.

A report in the Bulgarian media said: “The Bulgarian Tourism Minister Angelkova met with UNWTO Secretary-General Nominee Pololikashvili held a working meeting in Belgrad at a Conference on Sustainable Tourism in the Danube Region.”

“The two considered the opportunities for cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and the UNWTO, as well as future joint initiatives for sustainable development of the sector. Angelkova familiarized Pololikashvili with the steps taken by Bulgaria for sustainable development of tourism and assured him that the country will continue to be one of the most active UNWTO members."

The Bulgarian minister told journalist at a press conference Bulgaria had supported the Georgian candidate with their vote. Bulgaria is a member of the UNWTO Majalisar Zartaswa.

It could have been a good move for Zurab to actually face the media and answer some questions about this meeting and other issues. This transparency has not happened.