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Last
week in Mexico, Mr. Antonio Enríquez Savignac, former UNWTO Secretary-General,
passed away. Mr. Enríquez Savignac was “an extraordinary human being and one of the architects of the development and modernization of our organization. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him”,
said current UNWTO Secretary-General Mr. Francesco Frangialli.
During his time at
the UNWTO (1990-1996), Antonio Enríquez Savignac emphasized the importance of tourism as a
dynamic sector and a pivotal player in the field of economic development. He continued being actively involved with
the organization as Honorary Secretary-General and member of the UNWTO Strategic Group.
“This is a sad time for all of us in the tourism industry, who had the privilege and good fortune of working with him.
Many countries have benefited from the UNWTO under his leadership. I am proud to have been his deputy, colleague and
friend, and to have lead the organization in the direction that he
indicated,” Francesco Frangialli said.
Born in Mexico in 1931, Antonio Enríquez Savignac pioneered the inclusion of the private sector in national and
international tourism policies. During his extensive career he held key positions in the field of tourism development,
banking, as well as in national and international economics and finance, before becoming Secretary (Minister) of
Tourism in Mexico.
He was the visionary and implementer of the world renowned Cancún tourism development, which attracted domestic
and foreign investment and spilled over its benefits to the general economy. Alongside similar projects throughout his
country, Mexico is today a leading international tourism destination.
Drawing from this experience he joined
the UNWTO and shared his profound understanding of the links between tourism,
economic progress and community development. Antonio Enríquez Savignac put
the UNWTO on track towards the challenges of sustainable tourism in the 21st century.
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