World Tourism Organization strongly condemns Mombassa bombing

The World Tourism Organization today strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Mombassa, Kenya, which occurred just a month and a half after the tragic event on the island of Bali.

"Once again the victims of ruthless terrorists were innocent tourists, " said Francesco Frangialli, WTO Secretary-General, who is attending a conference in Panama. "We cannot tolerate this," he added.

The Secretary-General expressed condolence on behalf of the world tourism community with the families and friends of the innocent tourists that were killed in the brutal terrorist attack in Mombassa. He also conveyed sympathy to the Governments and Tourism Ministers of Kenya and Israel.

Such evil and cowardly act perpetrated against innocent visitors must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

WTO established a crisis and recovery committee after September 11 to provide guidance and assistance to those countries whose tourism industries were negatively affected by the various acts of terrorism. The solidarity of the world tourism community and their condemnation of such acts of terrorism have been voiced on several occasions and is again repeated.

The delegates at the Fourth International Forum for Parliaments and Local Authorities in Panama City, Panama, fully endorsed the statement and sentiments of the Secretary-General of WTO. "We are convinced that tourism will overcome the harm caused by such attacks and that it will continue to provide the peoples of the world with opportunities to visit different countries; learn from one another and build bridges of understanding and peace that will outlast the bombs of the terrorists, " Mr. Frangialli stated.