| International Tourism ranks in the top five exports categories in the world. As one of the most successful export industries, international tourism has become the main economic activity for many nations - in terms of both income and employment generation, its contribution to gross domestic product, and its substantial impact on the balance of payment, trade and foreign exchange earnings. Considered as one of the most successful nature-based industries, tourism is well a consumer of natural resources. Tourism should be seen as instrumental in conserving biodiversity, on account of its being managed in a sustainable manner. In his opening address at the 2005's inaugural meeting in Kuala Lumpur, the Secretary General, Don McKinnon, remarked on three principal reasons for the importance of Commonwealth Tourism Ministers coming together: - Huge growth potential for tourism among Commonwealth countries and that strategies can be identified to boost that potential, and follow through to achieve concrete outcomes.
- The promotion of tourism within the Commonwealth can be an important tool in the alleviation of poverty
- Help facilitate co-operation on a range of related issues, including security, investment and capacity-building for the mutual benefit of all member countries
Amongst others, infrastructures may need to re-examine in order for intra-Commonwealth tourism to develop in a sustainable form. Thus, in a show of support of an aggressive action plan by the Commonwealth Organisation, the endorsement of Malaysia's proposal to set up a Commonwealth Tourism Centre in Kuala Lumpur is a great step to many more. Initially, the Centre is to be financed by the Government of Malaysia for a three-year period. After which, it is to be self financed principally through contributions from the private sector and/or from other Commonwealth countries, should they wish to do so. The Centre is to be responsible, among other things, for promoting intra-commonwealth tourism, capacity building, facilitating information exchange, promoting tourism investment and to develop strategic partnership. For further information on international tourism trends, market analysis and forecasts, please contact UNWTO Market Intelligence and Promotion section: marketing@unwto.org or visit www.unwto.org/statistics/index.htm Key Areas that CTC may wish to address:
a) Tourism Promotion and Information Exchange
b) Tourism and the Economy: Strengthening the Linkages
c) Tourism Facilities and Common Security Arrangements (including Travel Advisories)
d) Capacity-Building for Sustainable Tourism and Quality Services
e) Mobilising Investment into the Tourism Sector in Commonwealth Countries Other than providing an opportunities for firms in the travel, hotel and transportation trades to mount exhibits for both international audience as well as for locals who have been enjoying increasing incomes for many years as well as providing a forum to discuss issues that have threatened to undermine the considerable growth potential of the tourism sector: safety and security, etc. This forum could be used to to learn about different experiences and distil best practice in these areas. Capacity-building and training, including training and academic institutions: 1. CTC is the building of national capacities in member countries so that they can analyse international
and national trade and economic issues and formulate and implement appropriate home-grown economic
policies.
2. Training and research institutions, particularly universities, play a key role in building such capacities by
educating future and current decision makers and providing expertise to Governments on issues relating to
national economic policies.
3. Assist academic institutions in developing countries to enhance their own capacity to design and deliver high-
quality courses and to conduct research in the areas of trade and development. It does so firstly by giving
them access to selected relevant resources (research reports, training materials and pedagogical tools) that
they can use in their teaching and research. Secondly, it offers them the possibility to enhance their curricula
and research work by exchanging resources (course materials and research) and experiences
4. CTC's partners will be selected academic and training institutions of developing countries that agree to
become members and enjoy the benefits & services, ie. the practice of concluding agreements for academic
partnerships tailored to the needs of the partner institution concerned. | 
