At the meeting arranged for the associated members of the UNWTO, which took place in Istanbul, the University of Tourism and Management - Skopje was promoted as the project leader for adrenaline sports and tourism, which will be developed during the next two years.
United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey were organizers of the global summit on city tourism development, which took place from 14.11. to 16.11.2012 in Istanbul. At the same time there was a 33rd plenary session of the associated members of the UNWTO. The delegation from the University of Tourism and Management - Skopje, as supporting members, led by the Chancellor, Prof.Ace Milenkovski, PhD and the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism Assoc. Prof. Sashko Gramatnikovski, PhD, attended these gatherings of the global leaders in the field of tourism. Although UTMS is a recent member of the UNWTO, it has already become acknowledged and active participant in the planning and realization of projects for the future development of tourism in general and some of its new segments. Such a given confidence is not accidental, namely, it is due to the presence and active participation at the meetings arranged by UNWTO, as well due to personal, formal and informal contacts and discussions on several occasions, with prominent persons of the UNWTO, which were no longer strictly professional, but on a friendly basis, to be precise. These relations are of great importance for Macedonia, since the people of the world tourism have a partner in Macedonia, a single partner within our borders so far - UTMS, which has been involved in projects for the development of global tourism, but also for the efficient development of tourism in Macedonia.
Istanbul, the city of two continents, hosted the policy makers of tourism development in the world, coming from all continents. The Summit, which was attended by the heads of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, representatives of associated members of this organization, including UTMS, governmental and non-governmental delegations, as well as businessmen and other representatives from the tourism industry, was devoted to the development and the future of the urban tourism.

If well planned, the city tourism can be an incentive for faster economic and social development of cities, improving infrastructure, creating jobs and stimulating local business. The new trend of tourist destinations is innovation, offering new services and enhancing the quality of supply. In this context, the concept of so-called "smart cities" is crucial to the success of cities as attractive tourist destinations. Urban destinations need to accept the changes in the global context of tourism and to determine their action and development priorities. These are the points which emerged from several panel discussions, where among others, the representatives from Berlin, New York, London and Istanbul, shared their experiences and views.

The Summit was opened by the Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange of Turkey, Mr. Rifat Hisarchiglioglu, who spoke about the accent given to tourism in Turkey, as one of the most important branches contributing to the overall economic development. The Mayor of Istanbul, Kadir Topbash, using the opportunity to express the warm welcome to the participants of the summit, presented the city of Istanbul as one of the top tourist destinations in the West and the East.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, UNWTO, Mr. Taleb Rifai has set guidelines for the debate, stressing that the world is constantly changing and the revolutionary changes are currently in the field of information technology, travel and urbanization. There is no place in the world which cannot be reached within two days. The same counts for finding accommodation and staff. This reality has contributed this year to be reached the figure of one billion tourists annually, which is a great potential in terms of improving the overall economic and social conditions in the countries and creating jobs. It is required from the cities to develop infrastructure, improve services and create better living conditions for its citizens, and thus there would be better conditions for foreign tourists and they would become attractive tourist destinations. He stressed the importance of the application of the basic principles of wellbeing as peace, tolerance and respect for human rights.

The Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, Mr. Ertugrul Gunay, said that tourism will be one of the main industrial sectors, since its power grows and therefore requires large investments in infrastructure and tourist facilities. “We need to create calmer and friendlier cities”, Gunay said, announcing that Istanbul in the year of 2020 will be hosting more sport events, which will significantly increase the number of visitors from abroad.

The Director of the affiliate members of the UNWTO, Yolanda Perdomo, presented the organization's multi-year project for the development of city tourism, which includes 22 cities from all continents, while also announcing that the next summit on urban tourism will be held in September 2013 in Moscow.

As a special guest of the Summit, Joan Clos, executive director of the United Nations program for the construction of homes, (HABITAT), had his own presentation. Namely, he pointed out the example of Barcelona as a city that 30 years ago was a dark industrial city with 22 percent unemployment rate, which today, with the new policy of developed urbanization, became a city of tourism and culture, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in Spain. However, urbanization must be designed for the purpose of providing quality basic services that are a prerequisite for the quality of life in the cities. Also, Mr. Clos stressed the importance of peace and tolerance for tourism development and economic progress.

During the debates, the view that the cities are brands and thus need to be developed, dominated, however, it should be avoided, as was noted, the more common occurrence of so-called Disneyfication of cities.

At the end of the summit, with the presence of the Turkish Minister of Culture, the Mayor of Istanbul and other guests, a gala dinner was organized for the participants, and it was an opportunity for the delegation of UTMS to acquire contacts and conversations, exchange of views with other participants, including the representatives of the UNWTO. In this occasion the UNWTO prizes were awarded, for best projects in the tourism industry in the past year.The meeting was opened by Mr. Teleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO, with the conclusion that tourism today faces three key challenges that unable faster development: 1. visa policy, 2. taxes and other charges, and 3. connection or transfers. He stressed that all countries should act on their own governments to ease visa regime for tax harmonization and efficient connectivity between the various destinations in the world.

The chairman of the committee of the associated States, George Drakopulos as moderator of the meeting, presented the strategic goals of the draft work plan for the year 2013 – 2014. The main goal is to provide a regional and global perspective on tourism as a priority in national policies of all countries and to increase the cooperation between the private and public sectors. In this direction, we need to act in raising awareness of the importance of tourism and its large part in the overall economic development of each country, highlight Drakopulos. In addition, great importance is given to science, or universities that are members of the UNWTO, because the associated states, as it has been said, should act as policy makers.

Specific areas of future action were presented by Yolanda Perdomo, (Director of the associated states) as follows: 1. City Tourism 2. Adrenaline sports and tourism, 3. Youth tourism and education and 4. Internet applications. Ms. Perdomo, having said that the project leader in the field of sports tourism will be the University of Tourism and Management – Skopje, she also noted that this is a project, which will take place in 2013 and 2014. However, in the work program of the associated members of the UNWTO a seminar on sports tourism is scheduled, to be held in Skopje in 2014, in co-organization with UTMS. In this field of activity, UTMS, as a project leader will cooperate with UNWTO programs for regional cooperation in Europe, Knowledge Network, Sustainable Tourism Development, Tourism Trends and Marketing Strategies and Management of destinations. The Chancellor of UTMS Ace Milenkovski had initial consultations and exchange of ideas with Mrs. Yolanda Perdomo in Istanbul, about future activities in relation with the current and other projects, and it is agreed the details to be determined during the next meetings.

The executive director Marcio Favilia had a closing statement at the meeting of the associated states, furthermore, at the University Bogaziçi in Istanbul a symposium on UNWTO’s network knowledge and the importance of this global organization was held.

UTMS at the Summit in Istanbulce of this global organization was held.

Elite. UTMS is definitely among the world’s elite regarding the hospitality industry in terms of both, the scientific and practical application of all the activities, as well as future directions for action. Confirmation for the above statement is the recognition of the UNWTO, the gathering in Istanbul, with the award of project management for sports tourism. This embodies regular direct contacts and consultations with the heads of the UNWTO, about the programs of this organization of the United Nations.

Factor. UTMS is becoming a more significant factor in the creation of world politics in tourism on a global and regional level, and it is the only institution from Macedonia, that can contribute and influence the decision-making processes within the UNWTO.

Cooperation. The Openness for cooperation of UTMS with other similar institutions, but also with other world class global players in this field, was confirmed at this meeting in Istanbul, where the delegation of UTMS had numerous contacts with the participants of the summit session and associated States, which, can result in creating new opportunities for future joint activities of mutual interest.

Friendship. The meeting in Istanbul was another opportunity to confirm the numerous institutional and personal friendships with the most influential people from the world tourism, exchange of opinions and confirmation of the reputation which over the years, managed to spread the name of UTMS worldwide.

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