国际英语新闻:Tunisia, UNWTO discuss tourism cooperation in post-COVID-19 future

TUNIS, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on Thursday discussed ways to boost tourism cooperation in the post-COVID-19 future.

The discussion was held by Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and visiting UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili in the Tunisian capital Tunis, the Tunisian government said in a statement.

"The cooperation between Tunisia and the UNWTO aims to strengthen the Tunisian tourist destination at the international level, in particular after the COVID-19 pandemic," Pololikashvili said at a press conference.

Pololikashvili, who is visiting Tunisia from Nov. 24 to 27, underlined the important and vital role that the tourism sector can play in the Tunisian economy, noting that Tunisia must maintain its position as one of the best tourist destinations in the world.

"Tunisia is capable of conquering new markets, especially as it has its traditions in this area," Pololikashvili added.

Tunisian Tourism Minister Habib Ammar said that the UNWTO chief's visit to Tunisia sent out a strong message on the importance of the tourism sector and its strategic dimension in development.

Ammar stressed that "Tunisia will remain a distinguished tourist destination, particularly in the Euro-Mediterranean region."

The minister announced that a technical cooperation agreement was signed between his ministry and the UNWTO, in addition to a donation of 200,000 euros (about 238,000 U.S. dollars) for the development of a new digital communication policy for the post-COVID-19 era.

It "aims to resume tourist activities during the months of May and June, 2021," the minister added.