Center for Advanced Tourism Studies (CATS) Officially Joins the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as an Affiliate Member

Research Press Release | October 26, 2015

At the 21st session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly held in Medellin, Columbia, it was unanimously approved that HU’s Center for Advanced Tourism Studies (CATS), would join the UNWTO as an affiliate member.

The UNWTO is a United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of tourism with headquarters in Madrid. It’s secretary-general is Dr. Taleb D. Rifai. Membership includes 158 countries worldwide. During the agency’s 21st General Assembly held in Medellin from September 12 (Sat) to 17 (Thu), a total of 26 institutions, including CATS, were approved to join the UNWTO as affiliate members. This resolution officially confirmed the UNWTO membership of CATS.
Background Hokkaido University, along with Wakayama University and Shoin University, is one of the first university institutions in Japan to become affiliate members of the UNWTO, and join previous affiliate members, the Japan National Tourism Organization, the Japan Association of Travel Agents, and the Japan Travel Bureau Foundation. As CATS engages in theoretical and practical tourism studies that span a variety of themes, international research and educational institutions have high expectations that CATS will share its findings for the benefit of all, and apply them to education in general. UNWTO membership will allow CATS to develop a deeper level of cooperation with international institutions for promoting tourism studies.
Inquiries

Yusuke ISHIGURO, Center for Advanced Tourism Studies (CATS)
TEL:011-706-5382

FAX:011-706-5362

E-mail: ishiguro[at]cats.hokudai.ac.jp

Japanese Link 観光学高等研究センター 国連世界観光機関(UNWTO)への賛助会員加盟正式決定について

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