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New tourism book provides insight and inspiration into building tourism economies

A new book on the importance of global tourism in the social, economic, and diplomatic development of nations was launched this week at the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Tourism Forum in Principality of Andorra, in advance of ITB Berlin.

Ranked as one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the world, tourism has become a powerful force of international understanding, accessibility, opportunity, and unity. With businesses vigorously expanding into new markets and tourists excitedly exploring new cultures, the 21st century is set to be the century of travel.

"COME CLOSER: How Tourism Is Shaping the Future of Nations" by Anita Mendiratta offers travel professionals a current demonstration of how tourism is shaping the future of nations economically, socially, philosophically, and competitively; how people and nations are coming together through tourism in ways previously unimagined.

Created with tourism leaders around the world in mind, from governments to global corporations, diplomats to business decision-makers, media to marketing authorities - this examination of the tourism sector from purpose to impact offers valuable insight for people playing a part in the global tourism economy.

Using emotive anecdotes to bring readers closer to the heartbeats of the people who inspire and direct industry growth, Mendiratta’s collection of topics helps introduce critical aspects of tourism sector development. The book includes valuable direction for managing the fine balance of government and private industry in tourism to create shared, sustainable destination growth. The book poses valuable questions that every tourism executive should be asking of him/herself, as well as his/her stakeholders.

Covering topics from the role of government, diplomacy, tourism investment, and destination branding to niche tourism development, media, tourism safety, and green tourism, the book offers a framework for strategic and practical tourism economy management and competitiveness. Ultimately, Mendiratta’s style illustrates the passion that destinations can share with the world while asking the questions that can help impact tourism’s effectiveness.

Incorporated in Mendiratta’s book are contributions from various leaders in global tourism offering perspectives from across the globe. Contributors include UNWTO, WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council), The Travel Corporation, CNN International, Visit Britain, Singapore Tourist Board, Ministry of Tourism of Tahiti, Ministry of Tourism of India, US Travel, and others.

According to Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO): "Come Closer is an invaluable resource for tourism leaders, policy makers, and stakeholders as they drive the global tourism economy forward. The balance of content, between the hands-on and the theoretical, provides both the public and private tourism sectors with a complete understanding of the workings of tourism, both on the ground and at the global level. Anita Mendiratta’s ability to convey the importance of tourism in terms of its economic value comes second only to her capacity to reveal the very human side of tourism." 14.03.2011

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