EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE are the backbone for the growing of the tourism sectorOn a three-day official visit of Macedonia, from 27.07. 2014 to 30.07.2014 was the Secretary Generally of the World Tourism Organization Mr. Taleb Rifai, who visited the University of Tourism and management in Skopje.

The head of the World Tourism Organization, which was carried by his closest associates, the Regional Director for Europe of the World Tourism Organization, Mrs. Isabel Garanja and political advisor for the Regional Programme of the organization, Mr. Peter Janech, gave a lecture on which discusses for the modern trends in tourism development.

The lecture which was attended by representatives from the executive and local government, including the diplomatic corps, and representatives of chambers of commerce, travel and hotel companies, attendees had the opportunity to hear about the work of the World Tourism Organization, the fastest growing economy in the world today overall process of globalization, which is undoubtedly seriously enter into the sphere of tourism.

Warm Welcome for Mr Taleb Rifai

Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization Mr. Taleb Rifai was welcomed by the Rector of the University of Tourism and Management in Skopje Ace Milenkovski PhD, vice-rectors for international cooperation, education and science, Zoran Ivanovski PhD, Saso Kozhuharov PhD and Mijalce Georgirvski PhD and the Deans of all seven faculties that operate within UTMS, Saso Popovski Assoc. Dr., Daliborka Blazeska Assoc. Dr., Valentina Palevski-Mucunska Assoc. Dr., Natasha Ristevska Assoc. Dr., Alexandra Stoilkovska PhD and Dean of the Faculty of Tourism Sasko Gramatnikovski. Assoc. Dr.

In welcoming of the highly respected guests from the World Tourism Organization also attended the students from the University of Tourism and Management, and have the opportunity to familiarize with the head of the World Tourism Organization, and to be present on his lecture in the Amphitheatre of the University tourism and Management in Skopje.

Speech of the Rector of University of tourism and management

"Today the University of Tourism and Management, has reason to celebrating. Today the University of Tourism and Management has reason to be proud. Today the University of Tourism and Management can be completely sure, the path which steps for several years. The confirmation of all that has just today because it has the ability in her home, in her temple dedicated to our educators, St. Clement and Naum of knowledge, to receive the head of tourism in the world.

Opportunity, which belongs only to those who painstakingly worked to get where they are now located UTMS. In the accompanying family member of the World Tourism Organization, where we managed to send the message of our University and the Republic of Macedonia. To mark the tourist postcard from our University and our country and send to all addresses in the world. If beauty is the eye of the observer, then we of UTMS, not humble you say are the painters of that beauty. The messenger of the beautiful news of bridge bonding and friendship, "said in his address at the Rector of University and Tourism Management Ace Milenkovski PhD.

In his speech Rector Milenkovski emphasized the engagement between UMTS World Tourism Organization, thereby highlighting the two projects that have UTMS works in cooperation with the City of Skopje, under the supervision of the World Tourism Organization, and that soon the Republic of Macedonia should be put on the tourist map as state with development sport and adventure tourism.

Lecture of the General Secretary of the World Tourism Organization of UNWTO Mr Taleb Rifai

"Education and knowledge are the backbone of a growing tourism sector and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome UTMS to maintain the tradition of high quality education that produces professionals and future leaders in the field of travel and tourism," said in his speech in the crowded amphitheater of the University of Tourism and Management the Secretary General of the World Tourism organization Mr. Taleb Rifai.

Mr. Rifai in his speech spoke of tourism as a major factor contributing to the national economy, while emphasizing that he is one of the most important economic activities in our time, that sector worth a trillion dollars, which takes 9 per cent of the global GDP, as 30 per cent of the world exports of services.

"Tourism is the hallmark of the story for the continued development of globalization, shaped by complex interlocking and interdependent networks where goods, capital, ideas, information and people are now moving faster than ever before," said Mr. Rifai emphasized that the process of globalization behind a large number of forces that are not only the result of globalized world, but its instigators.

Proclaming of Taleb Rifai of PROFESSOR HONORIS CAUSA

The guest Taleb Rifai was very suprised, when the Rector of the University of Tourism and Management awarded him with the title PROFESSOR HONORIS CAUSA on the solemn session and the Ceremonuy.

Promotional gifts for the Honorable Guests from the World Tourism Organization

Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization Mr. Taleb Rifai, Regional Director for Europe of the World Tourism Organization Ms.Isabel Garanja and Policy advisor for the regional program for Europe Mr. Peter Janech, from University of Tourism and Management received appropriate gifts that are sowing the tradition and ultimate precision and grace of traditional Macedonian art.

The guests walk around the University of Tourism and Management

The head of the World Tourism Organization Mr. Taleb Rifai, together with their associates toured through the University of Tourism and Management, which had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the conditions for study and course work of the teaching staff of UTMS.

Visit of the Monuments MACEDONIAN CULTURE IN SKOPJE

The visitors from Madrid, and Secretary General of UNWTO Mr. Taleb Rifai and his associates, together from with the Rector and the representatives from University of Tourism and Management had a visit of a several important cultural monuments.

First visited the church of Holy Salvation where Olivera Cekic MSc explaining to the guests the significance of the iconostasis, or ultimate art of famous Macedonian

At the same time, was visited Mustafa Pasha Mosque, where guests had the opportunity to learn about this importance of this monumental building of the fifteenth century.