On November 27 Russia was elected as a member of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for 2007-2011. The election took place within the 17th session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Columbia.
      
      Apart from Russia there were 7 more contenders for 4 vacant seats in the UNWTO Executive Council: France, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Romania and Slovenia. Russia and Italy received 25 votes each, France got 19 votes and Kazakhstan – 16. Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia and Croatia were not elected to the Executive Council.
      
      UNWTO is an international organization that unites 153 countries. Representatives of the Russian travel industry are sure that this position gives Russia big advantages at the travel market and improves the country’s image.
      
      According to deputy director of the Russian Federal Tourism Agency Natela Shengeliya, having been elected to the UNWTO Executive Council means being popular with the European countries and gives Russia new opportunities to promote the country as a safe, comfortable, hospitable and friendly travel destination.
      
      Sources: www.advis.ru www.5-tv.ru