Skip to main content
  • MY AUS
  • Library
  • Strategic Plan 2020–2025
  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty / Staff
  • Parents
  • Alumni
S
Home
  • About
    • AUS at a Glance
    • Vision of the Founder
    • Mission
    • Leadership
    • AUS Strategic Plan 2020–2025
    • Partners and Community
    • Employment
    • Visit and Explore
  • Admissions
    • Study at AUS
    • Bachelor's Degrees
    • Master's Degrees
    • Doctoral Degrees
    • Forms and Publications
    • International Students
    • Grants and Scholarships
    • Contact Admissions
    • Executive Education
    • Apply Now
  • Academics
    • Colleges and Schools
    • Programs and Departments
    • Achievement Academy
    • General Education Program
    • Accelerated Master’s Program
    • International Study and Exchange
    • Registrar's Services
    • Services and Resources
    • Library
    • Meet the Faculty
  • Life at AUS
    • Around Campus
    • Housing and Dining
    • Health and Wellness
    • Sustainability
    • Athletics and Recreation
    • Student Life
    • AUS Discount Program
    • On-Campus Services
    • Blog
  • Research
  • Contact Us
  • Apply Now
  • .

News

- Any -
Academics
Administration
Admissions
Alumni
Commencement
Conferences
Cultural Events
High Performance Computing
High Performance Computing Center
Research
Student Events
Sustainability
- Any -
College of Architecture, Art and Design
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Engineering
School of Business Administration

Archives

2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012

Latest News

January 25, 2021
AUS sustainability official becomes MENA’s first appointee to AASHE Advisory Council
January 24, 2021
AUS and Emirates Nature-WWF sign MoU to collaborate in conservation research and student opportunities
January 20, 2021
AUS kicks-off orientation week for Spring 2021
January 19, 2021
AUS students participate in Future Sustainability Leaders Program as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
January 18, 2021
Multi-award-winning designer Pallavi Dean: “I would be nowhere without AUS”
Home  >  UNWTO Secretary General highlights Sharjah’s role in world tourism
NEWS / May 11, 2015

UNWTO Secretary General highlights Sharjah’s role in world tourism

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Dr. Taleb Rifai addressed American University of Sharjah (AUS) students on May 3, 2015 on the current trends in the tourism industry and the prospects and opportunities available for students. Dr. Rifai spoke of the role of Sharjah in tourism by highlighting the respect for authenticity and the pride in exhibiting and sharing of its culture with the rest of the world and expressed his wish to take part in the success story that would unfold in the future alongside the leaders of Sharjah.

Dr. Rifai brought the audience's attention to the "travel revolution" taking place today by stating, "In 1950, there were only 22 million people that were able to cross international borders. Today, in 2015, 1.138 billion tourists cross international borders every year; 5.5 to 6 billion travel domestically within their own countries. We are representing nine percent of world GDP; 30 percent of world trade and services are from the travel and tourism industry."

He encouraged the students to join the tourism industry by saying that it is the most welcoming sector for first entry into the labor market and spoke of the unlimited learning opportunities available through this industry. He also hailed the effort of women in this industry, who form 60 percent of the workforce and stressed on bringing them into positions of leadership.

The UNWTO Secretary General proposed a four-pronged approach to bring the tourism industry to the forefront by raising awareness and creating incentives; developing skills and institutions; building education training and research capacities; and developing monitoring systems to measure the progress.

"With people meeting people, we can hope that, with time, this world will be a better place. Tourism is the industry that celebrates our differences, diversity and uniqueness. It brings the best out of us," he said.

Dr. Rifai is Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) based in Madrid, Spain. Previously he held senior positions in UNWTO and the ILO (International Labour Organization) and the Jordanian Government. He has also served as CEO of Jordan Cement Company and Professor of Architecture, Planning and Urban Design at the University of Jordan. He received his PhD in Urban Design and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA (1983), and a MS in Engineering and Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, USA (1979). He also attained a BS in Architectural Engineering from the University of Cairo in 1973.

The lecture was organized by the School of Business and Administration at American University of Sharjah.

ABOUT US

  • Accreditation
  • Job Opportunities
  • Leadership
  • Maps and Directions
  • Registrar
  • Safety and Security

APPLY

  • Financial Grants
  • Funding and Assistantships
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Study Abroad
  • Residential Halls

RESOURCES

  • AUS Catalogs
  • Academic Calendar
  • Photo Gallery
  • Discover Sharjah
  • Library
  • FAQ

TOOLS

  • AUS Employee Email
  • AUS Student Email
  • MY AUS

© 2021 American University of Sharjah. All rights reserved.

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SITEMAP
  • CONTACT US